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Peak(s):  Mt. Sherman  -  14,043 feet
Gemini Peak  -  13,961 feet
Dyer Mountain  -  13,861 feet
Mt. Sheridan  -  13,757 feet
Peerless Mountain  -  13,356 feet
Horseshoe Mountain  -  13,918 feet
Date Posted:  07/08/2019
Date Climbed:   07/07/2019
Author:  datum313
 Sherman/Sheridan, Gemini/Dyer, and Peerless/Horseshoe   

Total Distance (according to GPS): 12.1 miles

Total Ascent (according to GPS): 5,620 feet

I was able to drive my 2WD Camry all the way to the closed gate around 12,000 feet, which was much higher than I expected to be able to drive, considering a recent condition report on the road. It was surprisingly snow free and mostly dry.

Mt. Sherman (Class 2) – 7:00am

I began hiking around 5:30am. I followed the road to a snow chute up to the saddle between Sherman and Sheridan. I needed microspikes there and my ice axe helped, but wasn’t necessary. There was an obvious trench where people had been glissading down. The remainder of the route followed the trail to the summit.

19486_01
Snow chute with glissade trench that I didn't end up using.

Gemini Peak (Class 2) – 7:33am

From the summit of Mt. Sherman, I adjusted my goal/plan for the day, which was originally just Sherman and Sheridan. I could see Dyer Mountain and it looked like an interesting and realistic option. So instead of heading back south to the saddle, I continued north along the ridge to Gemini Peak.

Dyer Mountain (Class 2) – 8:17am

The route to Dyer Mountain became much more clear from the summit of Gemini. I could see a trail along the ridge, beside avoidable snow. It was mostly class 2 talus along the narrow ridge and then snowy towards the top. I glissaded from the summit back down the ridge, heading southeast.

19486_11
From the summit of Dyer, looking back at the ridge. Sherman is to the right.

Mt. Sheridan (Class 2) – 10:24am

The easiest route to Sheridan seemed to be back over Sherman, so I followed the ridge back the way I came and headed south. I re-summitted Sherman at 9:24am and descended back to the saddle. There was a trail to the summit of Sheridan, over class 1/class 2 talus. I paused on the summit to evaluate the weather before continuing south.

19486_12
From the summit of Sheridan.

Peerless Peak (Class 2) – 10:55am

As I traversed over to Peerless and Horseshoe, I found an alternative route back down to the trailhead, which I used later instead of going back to the Sherman/Sheridan saddle (see map of route below).

19486_08
Mountain goat on Peerless.

Horseshoe Mountain (Class 1) – 11:32am

There was an easy trail to the top of Horseshoe with a short section of snow to cross just before the summit.

19486_13
The entire route from the summit of Horseshoe.

My route back was mostly mild until the end, when I had to descend a steep, somewhat loose, talus field and then cross the creek in order to get back to the road to the Fourmile Creek trailhead. I wouldn't necessarily recommend that route, but it avoided steep, wet, snowy sections. It was the most tedious terrain of the day, but still never exceeded class 2.

19486_10
Looking back at the descent. Remains of the Dauntless Mine nearby.

My GPS Tracks on Google Maps (made from a .GPX file upload):




Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
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Comments or Questions
Vacas Valley
User
Speed
10/13/2021 11:51am
Did you run this route or walk. Trying to get an idea of pace


datum313
Walked
10/13/2021 12:13pm
Brisk hiking pace, but no running.



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