Hike northwest and west over 2.5 miles up the rough 4WD road into Platte Gulch. Near the end of the basin, stay right as the road climbs up to Wheeler Lake at 12,168€„¢. The lake is over 3 miles from the trailhead.
1 shows the route from this point. The road ends on the left side of the lake. Find a trail that continues north. Before reaching the north end of the lake, turn left and find a smaller trail that leads up a gully to the right of some cliffs -
2.
Above 12,400€„¢, reach the start of the large basin that leads to Traver Peak, Clinton Peak, and McNamee Peak. There is no trail on the remainder of the route. Continue to the center of the basin to locate a small stream. Traver Peak is ahead to the southwest -
3 and
4. Keep hiking up to 12,900€„¢ in the center of the basin. Look for the lower portion of Traver€„¢s east ridge where it ends to the left of the stream in the center of the basin. Hike over to the base of the ridge and look for a stable point to begin your climb south onto the ridge.
At 13,000€„¢, you should be climbing up the north side of the ridge -
5. Pick your way through talus to gain the crest of the ridge at 13,200€„¢. Turn right (southwest) and continue up the east ridge -
6. Near 13,400€„¢, the ridge becomes steep but there are several ways to safely continue higher. Follow the obvious ridge up to the summit.
7 is another view from Clinton Peak.
8 looks back down on the route and
9 is the view of Mt. Democrat.
(WINTER) HOLD ON! If you don't have much high-elevation, winter climbing experience, be careful in your planning and take a partner. All 14er routes are more difficult and more dangerous in winter.
