I tried to go climb Gunn back in October, but I was turned around by a fallen tree on Barclay Creek Road. Then it rained, and snowed, and I thought I surely would not have another opportunity this year.
A month later, its rained up high, and we have an awesome looking Saturday. I got my shift at work covered and asked John if he was interested in trying Gunn although I thought there was a chance we might get turned around if there was too much snow. He was willing it give it a shot. We left the car at 7:30 this morning.
The summitpost directions for finding the trail are adequate, after a slippery log crossing and short walk through the flat forest, we were gaining elevation on slick, wet climbers trail to Gunn.
John crossing Barclay Creek
Baring with mist in the morning
The climbers path is steep but easy to follow. This fall's fallen leaves lower down on the trail proved problematic for us because it made the ground so slippery.
thats the trail
more trail
Around 4200 ft we took a wrong turn and lost the trail. Then we got stuck bushwacking through slide alder for an hour until we gained the ridge and got our first glance of Gunn. We found the trail and avoided any bushwacking on the descent.
John nearing the brush
we hiked straight up through this
first look at the main objective
After gaining the ridge, we picked our way down into the basin below Gunn, then up the talus to the hidden gully. There was a dusting of snow in areas that werent getting sunlight.
heading up the talus
The 3rd class section (sorry, forgot to take pictures) was a little bit sketchy because it was wet with some snow. We decided we would rappel it on the way down, we brought ropes anticipating the possibility of some sketchy rock up high.
past the hidden gully
nearing the notch
We made good time to the notch where we were greeted to great views to the north. Crystal clear skies and Glacier looked amazing as always. I was most apprehensive to see what the ledge that grants access to the summit would look like. There was about 4 inches of crunchy snow. We could make it work.
the ledge and the summit
John crosses the ledge
final summit scramble
We hung out on top for 30 minutes, eating and taking in the views. We did not find a register.
Glacier Peak
Townsend, Merchant, Wing, and Baring
When our half hour was over, we put our harnesses on, packed up, and began heading down. The ledge seemed sketchier going this way, so we belayed it. Then we made our way down from the notch and set up a rappel down the hidden gully.
exposure from the ledge, a definite no-fall zone
looking back at the upper talus basin
John rappelling
It was getting later in the day, and I was pleased that there was finally some decent light on Merchant and Wing
looking back at Gunn
We made our way back up to the ridge, located some flagging showing us where the trail descended from, and ran up Tailgunner. It is a really quick jaunt from where the climbers trail comes up the ridge.
Townsend framed
almost on top of Tailgunner
Gunnshy
summitshot
The Fay Pullin register on Tailgunner suggested the peak does not get done very often.
register
friends
friends
friends
our entry
We didnt hang long, as the days are short and we wanted to get as close to the car as possible before putting on our headlamps. During the descent down Tailgunner we marveled at all of the tarns in the area.
And came across one very large alpha-goat.
Then we found the trail and hiked down. It was easy to follow and avoids all the brush that gave us trouble on the ascent.
the cairned left turn we missed
ptarmigan
Baring one last time
log crossing again
We miraculously made it back to the car at 4:30, never needed our headlamps at all!
9 hrs C2C
It was a gamble heading out there knowing the ledge might be too snowy. Glad to see it paid off. I think that's my favorite route in the area. Your shot of the return trip along the ledge is super cool.
I think the bird that you saw in the tree is likely a female spruce grouse. I have seen ptarmigan near Gunn Peak but at this time the molting into winter plumage has started. The bird in the tree is not showing any white at all that I can see. The narrow white chin strap revealed nicely by your photo is a feature seen on the spruce grouse but not the ptarmigan.
Was a great day. Certainly did not feel like a November day. Fletcher pretty summed it up. Was a bummer to get completely off route on the way up but it wasn't as bad as it could be. Finding the trail on the ay down made the descent so much easier.
Yeah that goat was probably the biggest one I have seen and definitely had his winter coat going.
Gunn from the ridge
Heading up the boulder field
Glacier Peak from the summit of Gunn
Fletcher on the ramp
Coming back through the notch
Looking back
Obligatory rappel butt shot
Looking back at Gunn
Looking over to Gunshy from the summit of Tailgunner
Looking down the ridge towards Wing Peak from Tailgunner
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases when you use our link(s).
