Boundary Peak, Glass Mountain Ridge, Montgomery Peak

25-Jul-92

By: Maris Valkass

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Last year I led this trip at the end of June, but we could not get Montgomery because of icy snow in the saddle. This year we scheduled a month later.

Over thirty people signed up, but after some cancellations, twenty seven showed up. Campy wanted to do Boundary and Montgomery from the California side, as he tried to do the year before. (See SAGE 215, Sept 1991). This route is preferable to the Nevada side because you eliminate the long back way. The gain is somewhat less because you start the hike at about the same level as the Trail Saddle.

We met at Benton Station, 35 miles north of Bishop on Hwy 6. Then we drove about 7 miles north to Queen Canyon Rd, denoted by a flashing red light near Janie's "Ranch". The road is located on the 15' topo. You drive south east on a graded dirt road about six miles and park. A 4wd or one with low gears can drive another mile right in the saddle. There is a trail that goes up the ridge and stays below and to the south of the two highpoints between Kennedy point in the north, and Trail Canyon Saddle in the south. From Trail Saddle you do the peaks in the usual fashion.

Pete Yamagata usually takes the prize for the greatest distance traveled when he comes on our trips from Sacramento. This time he was outdone by Jim Farkas who came from Seattle. We were also honored to have six new emblemists who got their emblem on Montgomery: Mark Adrian, Suzanne Booker, Russell Glavis, Charlie Knapke, Dennis Richards, and Asher Waxman. Congratulations!!!

We were also honored by Alterio Banks whose shadow we saw early in the morning, but as usual, when he smelled the peaks, Adios. Maybe he should be called "Seldom Seen Banks"?

We had a strong group and all who attempted the summits made them. Several persons were satisfied with only doing Boundary. On top of Boundary we encountered two late comers , who missed our meeting place: Glenn Nakazaki and Tony Demarco. This weekend the peaks were popular, there were two other (private) parties doing the climb.

We got back to the cars by 4-5 pm. The people doing Glass the next day went to camp in the Sawmill Meadow campground. Some also went for dinner at the Montgomery Pass Casino, and reported the food to be good.

Next morning we climbed Glass. Near the summit we ran into Bob Stevens from Julian. He had come over after doing Dubois the day before. In the register on Glass, I discovered a page with the signatures of Chester Versteeg and Louise Warner, among others. This, to me was a thrilling moment. I hope that some "#@~~##" does not send it to some damn museum where it does not belong. Pete Yamagata took a photograph, and if it is possible, it will be printed with this article.

The participants are listed below:

Jim Farkas, Southern Courtney, Alterio Banks, John McCully, Linda McDermott, James McDermott, Dennis Richards, Mark Adrian, Russell Glavis, Suzanne Booker, Kathleen Mazur, Richard Carey, Stan Rosenwald, Terry Flood, Jeniffer Lambelet, Charlie Knapke, Bruce Peterson, Paula Peterson, George Schroedter, Karen Leonard, Dave Mason, Asher Waxman, Pete Yamagata, Tony Demarco, Glenn Nakazaki, Fred Camphausen, and Maris Valkass

Both leaders thank all the participants for the great time we had that weekend. Thanks also to Charlie Knapke who assisted us on the lead.


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