Glacier Mountaineering Society

Sat, Jun 2 2018 - Old Baldy Mountain (View Original Event Details)

Coordinator(s):		Joe Grabowski
Participants:		Joe Grabowski, Anne D., Bob Lorenz

Write Up:
Excellent spring weather arrived for our trip. Some inclement weather occurred on the days before the trip which resulted in clear skies, cool breezes, puffy white clouds and some fresh snow on the rocks for the final 300' before the summit. I was hoping for alpine conditions like last year on Rocky Mtn. but every year is different. Although we scheduled the same weekend as last year and received more winter snow than last year the gully leading to the high saddle on Old Baldy was free of snow for the final 500'. When Denise and I climbed it on Memorial Day weekend in 2017 we were on snow from the trail below the pass to just below the summit. We basically had no overnight freezes in May which is making the generous winter snow pack disappear fast. This year Anne Dellwo, Bob Lorenz and I climbed the north ridge from Route Creek Pass direct to the summit and then descended the gully back to the trail. The ridge route is pleasant climbing with nothing more than class 2 the entire way and very scenic. I find that climbing Old Baldy and Rocky Mtn, are best done in late May to very early June when winter snow is still present. This makes for much quicker and easier descents back to the trail and typically cooler temperatures. This trip is a long day. Anne measured 15.6 miles and 4,500' elevation gain. Great day out with two competent outdoor folks who are fun to be with. Thanks Anne and Bob for another wonderful day in the mountains.

Have some photos from this event that you'd like to share in our photo album? Please forward them to Tim Anderson at twamontana@gmail.com. Please note that we prefer to receive the photos in approximately 640x480 or 750x500 pixels - do NOT send original high-res photos. If you have a LOT of photos, please submit up to twenty of your favorites (only) for a day event, or up to forty of your favourites for a multi-day event. Thank you.