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puzzlr
Mid Fork Rocks



Joined: 13 Feb 2007
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puzzlr
Mid Fork Rocks
PostWed Sep 06, 2017 8:54 pm 
Leland and I knocked off one of the lesser known Home Court peaks over Labor Day weekend. It was nice that the smoke had not moved in yet and we got some pretty decent views except to the southeast, which was hazy and got worse over the course of the day. This was Home Court #97 for Leland and #78 for me. With Middle Index still in the unclimbed list, these might both be out of 99 instead of 100. We did not find Fay's summit register that others reported, and I didn't bring a new one, expecting that to be here. It's probably necessary to note that there is a naming error on some maps related to the two "Eagle" peaks in this area. We climbed the east 6259' Bald Eagle above the lake of the same name. On many maps this is labelled Silver Eagle, but that's the west 6241' Eagle peak. The USGS topos and Peakbagger has these wrong (as of today), but other maps are labelled correctly. Becky points out this error in the CAG. This peak has a fairly uncomplicated route -- climb the very evenly rising north ridge until you hit a cliff at 5400', swing left to more open ground, then climb any of many routes until just before the summit. There is a final rock tower that would be hard to climb but has a hidden ledge on the right side that is easy but a little exposed. We kept moving at a steady pace all day and even with a 30 minute stop on top it only took us 8 1/4 hours round trip. GPS stats show nearly 5000' of gain over 6.4 miles round trip. We expected thousands of feet of brush while climbing the ridge lower down, but were shocked to find both open second growth in the first 1000' and then 2000' more of open old growth. The only brushy part is 700' of younger trees between 4500' and 5200' Beyond that it's all open ridge, meadows, and rock benches.
Bald Eagle route on Google Earth
Bald Eagle route on Google Earth
Bald Eagle route from 5400' to summit
Bald Eagle route from 5400' to summit
We parked at a wide spot along FR 6835, crossed the road and started hiking uphill
We parked at a wide spot along FR 6835, crossed the road and started hiking uphill
We were surprised to find the second growth understory to be mostly open with lots of dry moss to walk up.
We were surprised to find the second growth understory to be mostly open with lots of dry moss to walk up.
The first brush we came across was at the old growth boundary at 2600'
The first brush we came across was at the old growth boundary at 2600'
An impressive old growth forest with a few giants
An impressive old growth forest with a few giants
Continuing up through old growth
Continuing up through old growth
A break in the slope but still minimal undergrowth
A break in the slope but still minimal undergrowth
Pushing through the 700' of annoying small trees
Pushing through the 700' of annoying small trees
Big rock outcrop at 4780 in the brushy section
Big rock outcrop at 4780 in the brushy section
After breaking out of the brush at 5200' we got our first view of the ridge. The highest point is at 5820', still quite a bit below the summit.
After breaking out of the brush at 5200' we got our first view of the ridge. The highest point is at 5820', still quite a bit below the summit.
Moving along the ridge we could start to pick out a route. The highest point is at 5820', still quite a bit below the summit. We left the ridge at 5400' and went left which worked well.
Moving along the ridge we could start to pick out a route. The highest point is at 5820', still quite a bit below the summit. We left the ridge at 5400' and went left which worked well.
A big cliff that towers above the Necklace Valley and a dramatic jutting rock on the right.
A big cliff that towers above the Necklace Valley and a dramatic jutting rock on the right.
View of Point 5820 from 5400' where we got off the ridge on the left side.
View of Point 5820 from 5400' where we got off the ridge on the left side.
After traversing a narrow but short brushy ridge the terrain opened up onto a talus field.
After traversing a narrow but short brushy ridge the terrain opened up onto a talus field.
Beyond the talus we got into rocky heather benches that continued almost to the top
Beyond the talus we got into rocky heather benches that continued almost to the top
Rocky heather benches
Rocky heather benches
Rocky heather benches, more rock than heather here
Rocky heather benches, more rock than heather here
At 6100' we finally got back on the ridge line
At 6100' we finally got back on the ridge line
Very close to the summit we ran into the final obstacle -- a rock tower with what looks like a resting cat on top.
Very close to the summit we ran into the final obstacle -- a rock tower with what looks like a resting cat on top.
Leland checks out whether we need to go over the rock or below it, and spots a ledge below
Leland checks out whether we need to go over the rock or below it, and spots a ledge below
It doesn't look promising from here, but this turned out to be an exposed but solid ledge to get past the rock tower.
It doesn't look promising from here, but this turned out to be an exposed but solid ledge to get past the rock tower.
Around the corner it looks much better
Around the corner it looks much better
Final steps to the summit
Final steps to the summit
Silver Eagle from Bald Eagle
Silver Eagle from Bald Eagle
Pano south including Bearsbreast, the Chiefs, Chimney Rock and Overcoat
2 labels
Pano south including Bearsbreast, the Chiefs, Chimney Rock and Overcoat
View southeast from Bald Eagle including Lynch, Dip Top, Daniel, Hinman and Bearsbreast. There is almost no glacier ice left on Hinman.
2 labels
View southeast from Bald Eagle including Lynch, Dip Top, Daniel, Hinman and Bearsbreast. There is almost no glacier ice left on Hinman.
View east from Bald Eagle including Jumar, Shroud and Terrace
View east from Bald Eagle including Jumar, Shroud and Terrace
An old stick with nails that was probably once part of a summit marker
An old stick with nails that was probably once part of a summit marker
Silver Eagle with Bald Eagle Lake below
Silver Eagle with Bald Eagle Lake below
View down the south ridge -- it's very steep
View down the south ridge -- it's very steep
Leland on Bald Eagle and my sweaty shirt drying out
Leland on Bald Eagle and my sweaty shirt drying out
A little bit of Lake Ilswoot and La Bohn gap. Jade and Necklace Valley lakes are also visible on the right -- that's where the trail goes. Bearsbreast is in back, La Bohn peak to it's right.
A little bit of Lake Ilswoot and La Bohn gap. Jade and Necklace Valley lakes are also visible on the right -- that's where the trail goes. Bearsbreast is in back, La Bohn peak to it's right.
Returning along the rocky ledge around the cat tower just below the summit
Returning along the rocky ledge around the cat tower just below the summit
Easy going back down the rocky heather benches
Easy going back down the rocky heather benches
A not-so-healthy-looking pine tree on the ridge, probably a Limber Pine based on the large size of the pine cone.
A not-so-healthy-looking pine tree on the ridge, probably a Limber Pine based on the large size of the pine cone.
Pine needles
Pine needles
Pine cone
Pine cone
What killed this tree?
What killed this tree?
Back to the rock outcrop in the middle of the brushy section. It's easier to pass than it looks.
Back to the rock outcrop in the middle of the brushy section. It's easier to pass than it looks.
Back to the mossy floored second growth in the last 1000' before reaching the road.
Back to the mossy floored second growth in the last 1000' before reaching the road.

Mid Fork Rocksflickr

Now I Fly
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RichP
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PostWed Sep 06, 2017 9:04 pm 
puzzlr wrote:
Rocky heather benches, more rock than heather here
Rocky heather benches, more rock than heather here
I love this kind of terrain and quite a few of the peaks in that area seem to have some sections of it. I'm anxiously awaiting Leland and puzzlr's Middle Index report wink.gif.

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Ski
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PostWed Sep 06, 2017 10:22 pm 
cool. up.gif great presentation.

"I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach. I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each."
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iron
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PostWed Sep 06, 2017 11:20 pm 
dang, hinman's glaciers bawl.gif bawl.gif

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Tom
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PostThu Sep 07, 2017 12:13 am 
Hinman Glacier has long been gone. Makes for good rafting though. hockeygrin.gif

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Type E
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PostThu Sep 07, 2017 9:01 am 
I still remember that brushy section ..,, not fun

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