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ragman and rodman Member
Joined: 28 Apr 2005 Posts: 1219 | TRs | Pics Location: http://rgervin.com/ |
Taking advantage of the low snow year and fantastic weather window, BarbE, rocman and I were able to get this trip in before the lottery permit season starts on June 15... spending two nights at a nice campsite at the west end of upper Snow Lake (5420')... and carrying day packs to the McClellan summit on the second day of our three day trip.
From Lake Viviane (6785') we followed the cairned trail for a couple hundred yards before leaving it and continuing along the east side of Leprechaun Lake... then started an uphill slog on a mixture of rock and snow as we worked our way over to a set of snow tracks on the west side of "The Prong" that led us to a 100 foot section of Class 2/3 rock which got us up near the ridge and our first good look at the McClellan summit block... leaving a short stroll to the ridge crest... where we crossed over onto the south side... then gave up a little elevation to get around a large rock outcropping before working our way up the west side (a couple of Class 4 moves) of the summit block to the top (8364').
A more prudent route up the summit block would have been to be a bit more patient and continuing around to the south side of the summit block before heading up on Class 2/3 terrain... which we used on our descent.
Outstanding summit views that included lots of Teanaway Peaks and the entire Enchantments basin.
We had ideal conditions for this climb... we carried spikes, but they weren't necessary as the snow was perfect for kicking steps. I would consider an ice axe mandatory.
A few bugs, but nothing that required bug juice.
We didn't see any snow until we reached Lake Viviane. There were dry campsites at Lake Viviane and Leprechaun Lake... with Viviane virtually melted out.
Summit day from the west end of Snow Lake to the top of McClellan and back to camp was 6.5 miles, gaining ~3200 feet of elevation... with the entire 3 day trip being ~24 miles, gaining ~8000 feet of elevation.
Photos, trailhead directions and downloadable GPS track of our trip to McClellan Peak.
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Randito Snarky Member
Joined: 27 Jul 2008 Posts: 9495 | TRs | Pics Location: Bellevue at the moment. |
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Randito
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Fri Jun 12, 2015 8:03 am
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wildernessed viewbagger
Joined: 31 Oct 2004 Posts: 9275 | TRs | Pics Location: Wenatchee |
Good timing this year. I still need to get up McClellan and Enchantment Peak maybe in November.
Living in the Anthropocene
Living in the Anthropocene
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olderthanIusedtobe Member
Joined: 05 Sep 2011 Posts: 7687 | TRs | Pics Location: Shoreline |
ragman and rodman wrote: | Outstanding summit views that included lots of Teanaway Peaks |
I got several views of the Teanaway when I was up there recently. A few tiny snowpatches remaining but almost bone dry over there already, even north facing slopes. I was kinda shocked.
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BarbE Member
Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Posts: 1153 | TRs | Pics
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BarbE
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Fri Jun 12, 2015 11:24 am
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Timing is everything! A couple more pics
first view of McClellan evening at Snow Lake camp outlet McClellan above Lake Viviane Lake Viviane Lake Viviane melting Ragman on snow heading for the Prong steep transition Snow Lake below the Prong Ragman leaving summit Charlie heading down skirting Leprechaun don't slip Leprechaun last look back Lake Viviane outflow our own island evening at Snow Lake
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wildernessed viewbagger
Joined: 31 Oct 2004 Posts: 9275 | TRs | Pics Location: Wenatchee |
So from the basin your heading SSE towards the right of the prong as a landmark ?
heading for the Prong
Living in the Anthropocene
Living in the Anthropocene
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Sadie's Driver Sadie's Driver
Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 1763 | TRs | Pics Location: Welcome Pass |
Rog - you are right about being "patient" and finding the path of least resistance to the summit. We poke around long enough to find that southeastern approach - much less daunting! It was a great scramble.
Beautiful picture from you and Barb. Nice trip.
Rob, yes, they are heading s/se.
Four-paw buddy lets me tag along!
Four-paw buddy lets me tag along!
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raising3hikers Member
Joined: 21 Sep 2007 Posts: 2343 | TRs | Pics Location: Edmonds, Wa |
great idea to take advantage of camping in the area before the permits start!
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ragman and rodman Member
Joined: 28 Apr 2005 Posts: 1219 | TRs | Pics Location: http://rgervin.com/ |
wildernessed wrote: | So from the basin your heading SSE towards the right of the prong as a landmark ?
heading for the Prong |
As Suzanne mentioned above... in Barb's photo we are heading SSE toward "The Prong"... which sticks out like a sore thumb.
McClellan is one gnarly looking mountain... and "The Prong" is a beacon that will draw you to a line of weakness in the north wall that leads up to the ridge on Class 2/3 rock.
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wildernessed viewbagger
Joined: 31 Oct 2004 Posts: 9275 | TRs | Pics Location: Wenatchee |
Good Stuff and as usual with your trips great beta.
Living in the Anthropocene
Living in the Anthropocene
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