Monarch Divide trip report

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Shawn
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Post by Shawn »

Great TR and photo's. The Copper Creek trail was one of my first Sierra hikes. I'm huffing and puffing just thinking about it. It sure is all worthwhile after topping out tho!
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cgundersen
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Post by cgundersen »

Hi Tom,
OK, at the risk of inspiring boredom, but also maybe providing inspiration, this was our route (which reflected the usual spot decisions when thunderheads were brewing, or when exhaustion set in before noon): day 1 was to Grouse Lake; from there it was a short jaunt to the saddle overlooking the uppermost Glacier Lake (a beautiful spot at ~11,400 ft with columbine already in bloom and that stunning northern panorama). From there it was down Glacier Valley, on trail to Horseshoe Lakes and then across to Lake 10236 (lotsa bugs on this stretch, even in late June)! Next day it was hopping and traversing on the south side of Cirque Crest where we reached the lakes immediately below (and south of) State Peak. They were spectacular, and the place most worthy of a return visit! The next day was fun, because it's among the few times that the best route was to go over the top of a peak (Dougherty; the views from up there were the best of the trip!). The un-named lake on the other side of Dougherty was so pretty, we stopped there. Then, the eighth night was spent at the the 10620 Kid Lake. The last night was back above Glacier Lakes, and then down and out (it was an oven at Cedar Grove, so I can hardly imagine setting off on the uphill portion of the Copper Creek trail on a day like that!). And, as you noticed, the area is very lightly travelled. In fact, aside from running into a guy who had tried to bag Goat Peak on a day hike (on the way in), we did not see another soul till we got back to Cedar Grove! Well, actually, some nutcase had climbed a snowpacked couloir to get around the lower part of Dougherty (as I discovered on a day hike after we'd gone over Dougherty)
Last edited by cgundersen on Tue Jul 14, 2009 10:30 am, edited 1 time in total.
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TehipiteTom
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Post by TehipiteTom »

cgundersen wrote:Hi Tom,
OK, at the risk of inspiring boredom, but also maybe providing inspiration, this was our route (which reflected the usual spot decisions when thunderheads were brewing, or when exhaustion set in before noon): day 1 was to Grouse Lake; from there it was a short jaunt to the saddle overlooking the uppermost Glacier Lake (a beautiful spot at ~11,400 ft with columbine already in bloom and that stunning northern panorama). From there it was down Glacier Valley, on trail to Horseshoe Lakes and then across Windy Ridge to night 3 at Lake 10236 (lotsa bugs on this stretch, even in late June)! Next day it was mostly east to the gap between Red Point and Marion Peak and on to the little pond about 400 ft above Marion Lake (great thunderstorm that pm). Fifth day was a short jaunt due south to the trio of lakes south of Marion Peak. Day six (the hardest off trail of the trip, but we were getting well acclimated) was hopping and traversing on the south side of Cirque Crest to the lakes immediately below (and south of) State Peak. They were spectacular, and the place most worthy of a return visit! The next day was fun, because it's among the few times that the best route was to go over the top of a peak (Dougherty; the views from up there were the best of the trip!). The un-named lake on the other side of Dougherty was so pretty, we stopped there. Then, the eighth night was spent at the the 10620 Kid Lake. The last night was back at Grouse, and then down and out (it was an oven at Cedar Grove, so I can hardly imagine setting off on the uphill portion of the Copper Creek trail on a day like that!). Anyway, if I had to do it over again, I'd skip the Windy Ridge part, but the rest was great. And, as you noticed, the area is very lightly travelled. In fact, aside from running into a guy who had tried to bag Goat Peak on a day hike (on the way in), we did not see another soul till we got back to Cedar Grove! Well, actually, some nutcase had climbed a snowpacked couloir to get around the lower part of Dougherty (as I discovered on a day hike after we'd gone over Dougherty)
Wow! That sounds like an awesome trip! I've often wondered about those lakes south of State Peak--they look like they'd be remote and spectacular. Thanks for the (definitely not boring) route description.
wingding

Post by wingding »

Great report and pictures! Thank you for sharing. One of the pictures on part 4 doesn't show up - just a white space where it should be.
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TehipiteTom
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Post by TehipiteTom »

wingding wrote:Great report and pictures! Thank you for sharing.
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed them. :)
One of the pictures on part 4 doesn't show up - just a white space where it should be.
Thanks for the tip. Turns out I accidentally deleted one of my photos in Flickr. :o It's fixed now.
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