Magellan (Lex) and I had been trying to get together for a hike for years. His family has a cabin in the Rendezvoux but somehow we just never could match up schedules. So when he invited me to climb Robinson Mtn I jumped at it. Then I started to have second thoughts when Peg suggested that maybe summiting Robinson was a bit much for this nearly 71 year old guy. Well, maybe it was a bit more like "Act your age, dummy!".
I've been up in the Robinson/Beauty basin many times and Lex had not so I suggested I be his tour guide to somewhere above the mountain tarn and he could solo from there.
We were on the trail by 6:05 AM with first light and 45 degrees. I did take a bunch of pics but mostly on the way down. It makes more sense to post in order so that's why the light is mid day.
In about 1/2 mile you get a nice view of Robinson Cr in the canyon below
Robinson Creek
At about 1.5 miles is the Robinson Cr bridge and creek below it.
Robinson Cr bridge
Robinson Cr First bridge
The huckleberries are done here as are most of the wildflowers but the mountain ash gives a spark of color
Mountain ash-fall color
Just past the bridge is a view up the massive Last Chance avalanche chute
Last Chance avalanche chute
A good view of Robinson appears at 2 miles
Robinson Mtn
And a nice Last Chance view.
Last Chance
Beauty Creek is 3 miles after 1000 feet of elevation with a series of waterfalls as far as you can above see although the upper falls are not visible until you get up higher.
Near Beauty Cr bridge
Beauty Creek Falls from bridge
Lower Beauty Creek Falls
After a brief pause we entered the Beauty creek trail just past the bridge for a much steeper climb. I did drag Lex off trail a couple of times for photos and views as his official tour guide.
Upper Beauty Cr falls
Upper Beauty Cr gorge
At about 3.7 miles the grade eases in the upper Beauty drainage and first views of Beauty ridge appear above and Last Chance below.
Upper basin and Beauty ridge
Last Chance from upper basin
At about 4.4 miles and 5400 feet you cross a creek off Robinson and enter a large meadow. Beauty Peak is now visible. The trail continues through the meadow to a horse/hunters camp. But here is where we go off trail.
Beauty Peak
To your left is a large meadow sloping up as far as you can see. The mule deer trails help some.
Up the meadow
Mid way up is a nice rock bench along the creek where I had lunch on the way back. These were at my feet on the rocks.
Pretty mountain rock succulent mid meadow
Looking back to the lower meadow.
Looking down mid meadow
Nice view of Silverstar here
Silverstar from mid meadow
Far above is the brim of the slope
Meadow brim from below
There are several small miner digs on the slope and I think Lex has pics of those.
After another push we reached the brim where a short break was indicated. (6150 feet)
Views are good here too.
Meadow down from brim
Meadow brim view
From here to the tarn it is through trees and some boulders. I find it easier walking on the right side where the downed trees are fewer.
You reach a cliff which can be bypassed on either side easily but it's better on the right. After passing through a bench area you crest to see the tarn at 6700 feet and scree slopes to the ridge lines of Robinson.
The was not much snow left but there are some lovely flowers and lush grasses. Lex spooked a covey of quail. Water was pumped and Lex organized for the final climb.
Lex at tarn
Last Robinson snow
Pumping at the tarn
Scree sunflowers
Tarn from lower slope
Nasty scree
While Lex was getting ready I went up the scree slope to 7000 feet for some pics
View below the tarn
Tarn from scree slope
Lex heading up scree
Lex mid slope
Mid slope cloeup
I went back down to a nice boulder on the lower part of the scree slope to watch Lex until he disappeared over the SE ridge.
Ridgeline reached
Working the ridge
Lex on SE Robinson ridge
One last pic of the tarn from this level
Tarn from lower slope
I then headed for the TH enjoying the cool air, sunshine and fantastic views. By 2:20 PM I was at the TH and by 2:30 PM was at home resting some tired legs and enjoying my coffee.
My GPS said 12.3 miles and 4500 feet of climb. I did wander quite a bit on the way back so a direct route is a bit less.
Lex got in around 6:30 PM I think having successfully reached the summit. More from him later. Congratulations Lex! Great day in the mountains. Looking forward to more trips.
Sweet, that tarn is one of my favorite backcountry camps I have ever stayed at, the best night sky I have ever seen. Any register signings since me and Gray Matter were up there?
Edit: just looked at that photo of the scree field, Im assuming that was taken before you descended yourselves? Those look exactly like our tracks...
BeyondLost was the rocket booster to my Space Shuttle: I couldn't have done it without him. I was pretty happy to have Bob join me. It's always motivating to know that someone is waiting for me at a trailhead. In this case, he was waiting in the kitchen. His ranch is located minutes from Robinson Creek and is open to anyone passing through.
Good morning, hikers
First views
I spent 30 minutes at the tarn eating, making water, and taking care of business. I caught up with BL and talked about my return time. After watching him descend the scree I continued the slog up it. Brutal. Eventually the ridge is reached, but the looseness does not end there. Nearly every flat slope from here to the summit is covered in biscuit shiite.
Where's BL?
Not much of this because everything is mobile
At 7300'.
Finally on the ridge
Approaching the false summit one can see what appears to be the true summit way off in the distance. The ridge is not problematic, you can easily dodge the hardest point by staying on the south side. It steepens below the first false summit. At that point I realized the highest point is still quite a ways off.
Beauty Peak
Oh that must be it way over there.
Getting some altitude
You're kidding, right?
I vowed to go as far as I could. Happily trudging on, the views really start to open up. I passed a snowbank which could have supplemented my water. Travel was easy as I headed towards the final piece of the puzzle, bypassing the high points on the ridge. Arriving at a steep area, I realized there was yet another high point beyond. I kept telling myself not to quit until I couldn't go any farther.
Quartz vein
First falsie
From the false summit I still can't see the highest point
The step was puzzled out staying left and keeping it to third class. Some more scrambly stuff, and the final stroll to the summit. Views were plenty, especially of the seemingly desolate Paysaten Wilderness. Having taken 6:45 to get there, 35 minutes was all I allowed myself. Pictures, food, and mental imprints were the luxuries of that time. A ground squirrel watched me leave from the summit.
"You're not quite there yet!"
Hardy
Pleased
Methow Valley in the distance
Jack above Slate Peak Lookout
Weird benchmark at the summit
Silver Star
From Fay and Walter
I was a bit nervous about the first step down. It turned out to be a non issue. I never went fast because everything was so loose. Many, many handholds pulled. Some rocks I wouldn't even touch because they were just too big too pull down on myself. I did get off track somehow at the pinnacle below the false summit. I'm not sure what happened, but I didn't care for the results. Having another set of eyes on the problem surely would have helped.
Looking back at the summit
Still pretty high
Some steep screeing, including gravel over harpack up top was thrilling. Finally, the pond, and a rest. Eat food, make water, and soak the feet. The tarn was just too cold for a swim, and time was slipping by.
Fairy land?
Colors so deep
There are occasional signs of trail, human and animal, between the tarn and Beauty Creek way trail. They don't last. There are a couple of mines to see, and at least one hunters camp. Finally trail is reached. A slow jog got me to Robinson Creek, and the final three miles went quickly.
Lower tarn stream
Grassy hill
Upper Beauty Creek Falls
A little bleary
Summary: 16+ miles, 6800' of elevation gain, 12:20 car to car. The trip included 30 minutes at the tarn, 35 minutes on the summit, and 35 minutes at the tarn on the way down. Good trail>rugged trail>bootpath>no trail>loose scree>friable crap. Prolly not for beginners.
Thanks for inviting me on this trip. Sometimes I just wish I could be in two places at once. Looks like a very long but rewarding day. How did you like getting all that scree in your trail runners?
I was on Goat Peak today and these photos really show Robinson and Beauty well. It's a lot easier to understand the route from the snow and tarn even though the tarn is actually hidden just below the snow by the brim in these pics.
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