Forum Index > Trip Reports > Trico, Granite, and South Granite 8/31 - 9/1
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seabadge
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Joined: 19 Sep 2012
Posts: 43 | TRs | Pics
Location: Kenmore, WA
seabadge
Member
PostWed Sep 04, 2013 9:21 am 
I'll make this short, since a TR has already been posted on this area recently. Adam (Gimpilator) and I had climbing plans for labor day weekend, but after he sustained a shoulder injury we knew that was not in the cards. He suggested Trico and Granite in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, in an area affectionately known as "the little enchantments."
The road to the trailhead is a potholed nightmare. The trail to the Robin/Tuck lake turnoff is flat and well shaded. The trail to the pass is dusty, a bit rough and steep in spots. Tuck Lake is nice, but Robin Lake is much more spectacular.
After setting up camp, we headed straight for Granite. There's a steep scramble down a notch from the high point of the first ridge, then a fun hogback to cross.
The views from Granite were great, and the summit block is interesting. There were quite a few ladybugs, and swarms of small gnats. No mosquitos or flies.
From there, Adam suggested we try for South Granite. We followed the ridge south towards the summit, following game trails here and there and crossing numerous large talus/boulder fields.
The summit of South Granite ended up being the best of all three.
On our return, we had a spectacular view of the south face of Granite.
We dropped down on the way back, and encountered some sweeping granite slabs, which provided an opportunity for me to practice more friction walking.
After Granite and S Granite (plus the hike into Robin Lake), we were tired. We retired that evening in possibly the best camp spot above Robin lake, enjoying Chipotle burritos and watching the numerous parties slave over their stoves. The next morning, we rose early and followed the trail and alternative boot paths to Trico. This was much more scenic than we expected, and we both agreed the journey to Trico may have surpassed the summit itself.

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Gimpilator
infinity/21M



Joined: 12 Oct 2006
Posts: 1682 | TRs | Pics
Location: Edmonds, WA
Gimpilator
infinity/21M
PostWed Sep 04, 2013 9:22 am 
Thanks Natasha for driving that rotten road twice. I wonder if we will be the only folks to sign the register on South Granite this year.
Cathedral Rock
Cathedral Rock
Above Tuck Lake With Daniel and Lynch Behind
2 labels
Above Tuck Lake With Daniel and Lynch Behind
Lower Robin Lake
Lower Robin Lake
Upper Robin Lake
Upper Robin Lake
pumping water
pumping water
Daniel Above Lower Robin Lake
Daniel Above Lower Robin Lake
Trico, Mac, Sloan, Thunder, Nimbus, Thor, Glacier
8 labels
Trico, Mac, Sloan, Thunder, Nimbus, Thor, Glacier
nervous people scrambling at the notch (view full size for funny faces)
nervous people scrambling at the notch (view full size for funny faces)
Granite summit with South Granite behind
2 labels
Granite summit with South Granite behind
Klonaqua Lakes (right) and Chiwaukum Ridge
10 labels
Klonaqua Lakes (right) and Chiwaukum Ridge
nameless lakes north of the summit
nameless lakes north of the summit
bashful on the summit
bashful on the summit
South Granite and another nameless lake
South Granite and another nameless lake
Granite SE face
Granite SE face
South Granite summit
South Granite summit
The Cradle and Stuart
5 labels
The Cradle and Stuart
Stuart
Stuart
register placed in 2012
register placed in 2012
we were first to sign this year
we were first to sign this year
cool moss
cool moss
back at camp
3 labels
back at camp
Natasha
Natasha
feet
feet
bouldering burrito
bouldering burrito
alpenglow
alpenglow
Trico
Trico
Granite Mountain Potholes
Granite Mountain Potholes
Lynch above Hyas Lake
Lynch above Hyas Lake

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Randy
Cube Rat



Joined: 18 Dec 2001
Posts: 2910 | TRs | Pics
Location: Near the Siamangs
Randy
Cube Rat
PostWed Sep 04, 2013 10:35 am 
Nice trip. I saw you guys at Tuck as I tried to follow the maze of trails up to Robin. saw you again in the afternoon as I fished some of the tarns under South Granite. I ended up traversing to Paddy Go Easy Pass and then out.

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Gimpilator
infinity/21M



Joined: 12 Oct 2006
Posts: 1682 | TRs | Pics
Location: Edmonds, WA
Gimpilator
infinity/21M
PostWed Sep 04, 2013 10:39 am 
Were you the fly-fisherman? We thought it was awesome to see someone testing those remote tarns. I fly-fish as well, but not very often.

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iron
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Joined: 10 Aug 2008
Posts: 6389 | TRs | Pics
Location: southeast kootenays
iron
Member
PostWed Sep 04, 2013 10:45 am 
lots of injuries for you two this year. hope they all heal!

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Randy
Cube Rat



Joined: 18 Dec 2001
Posts: 2910 | TRs | Pics
Location: Near the Siamangs
Randy
Cube Rat
PostWed Sep 04, 2013 10:49 am 
That was me! Watched you guys ascend South Granite. I agree, that's the better of the three summits in that area. Did it years ago on this trip.

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Fletcher
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Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Posts: 1870 | TRs | Pics
Location: kirkland
Fletcher
Member
PostWed Sep 04, 2013 10:50 am 
Thats a fun trip. I do not remember signing a register on either of the Granites. Glad to see that Adams shoulder isnt keeping him from getting out!

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olderthanIusedtobe
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Joined: 05 Sep 2011
Posts: 7679 | TRs | Pics
Location: Shoreline
olderthanIusedtobe
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PostWed Sep 04, 2013 6:57 pm 
Lots of beautiful lakes up there, I think Granite Mountain Potholes are my favorite. Great pics, thanks for sharing. up.gif

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Magellan
Brutally Handsome



Joined: 26 Jul 2006
Posts: 13116 | TRs | Pics
Location: Inexorable descent
Magellan
Brutally Handsome
PostWed Sep 04, 2013 9:58 pm 
Great trip. up.gif Nice labeling Gimpy. I get nervous watching nervous people, especially if it's me. eek.gif

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puzzlr
Mid Fork Rocks



Joined: 13 Feb 2007
Posts: 7214 | TRs | Pics
Location: Stuck in the middle
puzzlr
Mid Fork Rocks
PostWed Sep 04, 2013 11:38 pm 
Such beautiful shots. I really need to get in that area sometime.

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