| amuck, Washington can be
jeeped to the top from the west up the Pole Canyon Road. Lincoln is a short
hike from the upper parts of this road. Granite is climbed up its east slope
from the road to Lexington Arch. The Schell Creek Range is a series of rounded summits and all but one are best done from the heads of the scenic canyons which cut the west face. North and Middle are done from Timber Creek, Taft and South are done from the north fork of Berry Creek and Berry Creek Peak is done from the main fork. Triple Bump Ridge is a grind from the end of the road up Ranger Creek on the east side of the range. Although the 15 minute topo show the middle bump as being the highest, it appears from both the middle and north bump that the north one is highest. The descent down the east-northeast ridge of the north bump is no fun. The East Humboldt Range does not get the acclaim afforded its western neighbor (Rubies) but it is scenic also. The forest service has obtained a right of way on the east side that allows the three peaks in this area to be done as day hikes. The jeep trail into Lizzie's Basin is the steepest, rockiest track I have ever driven, but the rewards make it worthwhile. A beautiful campsite in the aspens awaits at the east end of the basin which is surrounded by great cliffs. Black Top and Humboldt can be done by going south and then west up the northeast ridge of Black Top and then doing an up and down traverse to Humboldt. Hole-in-the-Mountain Peak is climbed via the prominent chute from the basin to the east ridge. Saving the best for last brings us to the Ruby Mountains. Verdi can be climbed from the Lamoille Canyon road by going directly up its southwest chute. Dropping down to Verdi Lake and slogging up loose slopes will eventually bring you to Talbot. The chute on Verdi is a delightful climb which somewhat makes up for the slopes on Talbot. Gilbert is a superb mountain which looks awesome from all sides. From Camp Lamoille find the trail up Right Fork, climb into the basin north of the peak and gain the northwest ridge on the west side of the basin. Continue up the ridge until it is reasonable to climb out onto the north face. Lee Peak, Ruby Dome and Ruby Pyramid can be done in a long day via Hennen Canyon, but the chutes down from the Lee-Ruby saddle are ugly and loose when not filled with ice. These peaks can also be done by either of two circuitous routes from a backpack camp at Echo Lake. Echo Lake may be the most beautiful spot in the Rubies and a camp there will also give access to the easiest routes on both Silliman and Mazama. Echo Lake can be reached by trail from the southwest but private property problems exist. An overland route can be made from the end of the Lamoille Canyon Road. Follow the trail to Lamoille Lake, ascend to the saddle west of it and then descend Box Canyon until reaching the steep canyon going north to the pass south of Echo Lake. Liberty is a walkup from Liberty Pass. Thomas and Full House can be done from Island Lake which is reached by trail. Fitzgerald is reached by taking the north loop of the Lamoille Lake Trail and climbing to the top of the ridge just south of Snowflake. Traverse around the west side of Snowflake to Fitzgerald's east ridge and follow it to the summit (some easy 3rd). Snowflake is the standout high peak in the Rubies and supposedly can be climbed via the broken southeast face. The King of the southern Rubies is the peak with that name. The Overland Lake Trail can |
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