The go-go-go month.
July in Montana tends to be packed to the brim with live shows, reunions, household journeys, weddings, float journeys, rodeos, and numerous outside adventures. You title it – if it occurs exterior, there’s a very good likelihood it’s been scheduled for July. Sadly, smokey skies and excessive warmth have been placing an actual damper on outside actions these previous a number of weeks. Regardless of lower than preferrred circumstances, a pair mates and I made a decision to take an opportunity and proceed with our plans climb Electrical Peak in Yellowstone Park this previous week, hoping to catch a break from the warmth and haze.
Scramblin’, scramblin’, scramblin’.
Dave, Murray, and I left Helena at 8:30 am Wednesday (7/21/21), drove 185 miles to the Glen Creek Trailhead close to Gardiner, and hiked 6.7 miles right into a campsite that Dave had reserved. Early Thursday morning, we adopted a pleasing path, then ascended a a lot steeper (unofficial) climbers path, after which completed with a difficult half-hour scramble to the highest (guided by cairns). We dealt with the steep mountaineering with ease however the final half-hour of scrambling was an actual check – As you’ll see within the photograph tour, it was a bit sketchy in locations. Thankfully, strategically-placed cairns alongside the final quarter mile guided us to the highest, in any other case issues could have turned out in another way. It was 4 miles from our tents to the summit with about 3,000 toes of elevation acquire. (photograph tour)
Our fortunate day.
That 4-mile hike from our tents to the summit took us 2 hours 45 minutes. We loved 45 minutes of good summit time with little or no wind, temps within the 60’s and no smoky haze due to a high-pressure system that was pushing the smoke to the north of the park. It was an actual pleasure to have the ability to merely see off into the space for a change. A spotlight for me was recognizing Sphinx Mountain and Lone Peak, 30 miles to our west. The day after our hike the winds shifted, bringing smoke from an enormous fireplace in California into the park.
The slog.
We began down at 10 am. One other problem got here after mountaineering again to camp, taking down the tents, and loading up the packs. It had warmed up by then, and we have been drained – plus carrying packs took plenty of the enjoyable out of strolling the final 6.7 miles. It was actual slog, however a small worth to pay for such a fantastic expertise. We arrived again on the trailhead at 3 pm.
Simply sayin’.
In response to my OnX app, our mileage totals have been 6.7 on Wednesday and 14.7 on Thursday for a two-day complete of 21.4 miles. The campsite was half a mile off the path to the summit in order that added a pair miles. Relying in your health stage, it may be greatest to do the height as a one-day journey (19.4 miles journey with over 3,700 toes of elevation acquire). As for the scrambly half close to the highest – you’re by yourself. I hope these cairns are nonetheless there should you make the journey. Get an early begin and watch out!
Under: This map marks hikes which have been featured on bigskywalker.com to date, together with a number of in Glacier Park – Choose full display to broaden, zoom in for extra element, or click on on a marker for a hyperlink to the publish.
.
