[ragman and rodman]

A nice loop hike/climb with a couple of tails... kind of fitting when a devil is involved. Starting at the Beverly Turnpike/Bean Creek Trailhead (3600') we stayed on the turnpike until ~5200 feet... where we turned right onto the County Line Trail (signed as Fourth Creek Trail) and followed it a half-mile to Fourth Creek Pass (5560')... where we stayed on the County Line Trail as it led us to the saddle (6400') between Volcanic Neck and Bean Peak. From the Neck/Bean saddle we followed a boot path around the SE side of the Neck over to the north side... where we found an obvious dirt and gravel gully that takes care of the first 50 feet of elevation gain. At the top of the dirt and gravel gully we followed a ledge a short distance to hiker's right and then continued up on a well-worn system of rock and ledges to the summit (6600+). Class 3 climbing with the dirt and gravel gully at the beginning of the climb possibly being the crux. After signing the summit register (one of only a few that still remain in the Teanaway area) we made a slow and careful descent of Volcanic Neck... then made the half-mile ridge walk out to Devils Head (6666') before returning to Volcanic Neck and tracing our steps back to the Neck/Bean saddle... then followed the ridge up to the Bean Peak summit (6734')... where we took a short break before descending to Bean Creek Basin and on down to the Beverly Turnpike Trail... leaving a half-mile walk back to our cars. 9.5 miles roundtrip, gaining 3668 feet of elevation. Maps and photos of our trip to Volcanic Neck, Devils Head and Bean Peak. ..

[tigermn]

This thing looked kinda of ominous from Wrong Turn Peak a few weeks ago.

Volcanic Neck from Wrong Turn Peak.

[BarbE]

Devil's Neck looks omnious from most angles but was quite doable by providing lots of good handholds and some decent veggie belay options. This was another of Ragman's beloved loop hikes that would include summiting a few peaks followed by Happy Hour at our campsite at Beverly Creek. A most excellent trip with perfect temps, fun company and no bugs in camp! only some on Bean summit.

admiring the flower fields

flower fields

That way!

We're climbing that?

let's go for the Neck!

Tom and Ragman heading up

finding good hand holds

don't hang on to the thorny bush

bless the veggie belay

Volcanic Neck scramble

Ragman on the Neck

Volcanic Neck summit

crowded Volcanic Neck summit

Robman and Volcanic Neck

heading for Devil's Head

ridge walk to Devil's Head

Devil's Head summit

skirting below Volcanic Neck

leaving Volcanic Neck

close-up

Tom leaving Bean

Ragman & Denali girl leaving Bean

Thomas Earl admiring his namesake

backlit Paintbrush

chipmonk munching, and ain't no pine cone!

meadows below Bean

peanut butter and crackers for Ragman and rotisserie chicken & caesar salad for us

tatonka or devil's head?

the boys hiding in the shade

[ragman and rodman]