What a great time of year to be in the mountains especially with this fine stretch of weather we're having. I've wanted to climb GoldenHorn ever since seeing it from Black peak a few years ago. I also was looking forward to hiking this portion of the PCT into snowy lakes. It was pure joy to hike a wonderful trail such as this especially when you got along hike into the campsites at snowy lakes. I met so many nice folks along the way, several that were on their last couple days before finishing through on the PCT. Congrats to all of you. You'll certainly finish on a high note with this great weather. I might also add that on Fri. most of the folks that I came across were my age (50 +) or older. All backpacking in for the night. I mentioned this to Arnie who I met along the way. He said it's nice to know that our generation is still out here enjoying this. We both camped at the upper snowy lakes for the night. Cold night 28 degrees early Sat. morning at the near 7000' lakes. The climb up GoldenHorn is about a mile from the upper lake. I stayed in the scrub trees to gain access to the ridge. I had photographs to help spot the right gully up to the summit block. The summit climb as has been mentioned before is harder than is described in Beckey's CAG. The last mantel move to gain the summit is about 6 to 7' tall with no foot holds but it's doable. The repel sling is there to aide with the decent. Bring a short rope as you only have to repel about 30' to get back down. I left camp at 6:30 and was on top by 8. The rest of the day was just a nice easy hike back while meeting some more great folks along the way. It sure would be nice if this weather would for a while longer. The berry fall color I'd say is about peak right now at higher elevation in this part of the cascades. The larch is just starting to turn. Get out there and enjoy it.
creek from below cutthroat pass
" The Larch" just starting to turn
more Larch
Snowy lakes from GoldenHorn
Easy pass and beyond
climbers trail on the way to GoldenHorn
Gully leading to GoldenHorn finish. Choose left one.
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