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Post by cweston on May 23, 2016 8:45:37 GMT -8
I'm heading back to the eastern Gores in July. A couple years ago we did an absolutely epic trip in the Black Creek drainage. This time, I'm looking to head up the Slate Creek Drainage, travel off-trail past South America Lake and traverse N along the east slope of the main range to Bubble Lake, maybe climb Powell, then exit via the Infamous South Fork Black Creek bushwhack (which is difficult, but not completely awful).
Anyone with experience beyond Upper Slate Lake in the Slate Creek drainage, I'd love to pick your brain a little.
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Post by Lamebeaver on May 23, 2016 13:07:13 GMT -8
I've never been up that one, but I know someone who has: sgrhoa.net/betz/archive/100917/Coming back, you could also drop down off of Powell to Cataract Creek and follow it around to Mirror Lake and pick up the trail there. |
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Post by cweston on May 23, 2016 14:13:04 GMT -8
I've never been up that one, but I know someone who has: sgrhoa.net/betz/archive/100917/Coming back, you could also drop down off of Powell to Cataract Creek and follow it around to Mirror Lake and pick up the trail there. Thanks, that's helpful. I thought about exiting that way: the basins on both sides of Kneeknocker Saddle are beautiful and worth a few extra miles. But I also want to take another crack at the South Fork Black Creek bushwack--I think I have a smoother route in mind than the last time I did it. |
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Post by cweston on May 23, 2016 15:56:44 GMT -8
Also, the last time I was there, the Gore Range trail between Surprise Lake and the Brush Creek trailhead was most unpleasant. The trail is pretty spotty in that area anyway, and there were a lot of cattle grazing in the Black Creek area, so it was muddy, stinky, and there were confusing cattle trails everywhere.
I have heard that the South Slate Creek side of "Might Pass" is pretty gnarly--his photos tend to confirm that. It might be easier earlier in the summer when there's snow.
"Might Pass" would be the crux of a route I would love to do some time--up Pitkin Creek, over Might Pass, traverse on the east side of the main range all the way to Bubble Lake. Cross the main divide at Knee Knocker saddle, drop to the Piney River, ascend the Piney to Upper Piney Lake, then over East Booth Pass to Booth Lake, and descend Booth Creek to the car. (Or, for an easier alternative, you could take West Booth Pass from the Piney to Booth Creek. But it's not nearly as scenic as East Booth Pass.)
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Post by Lamebeaver on May 24, 2016 5:46:25 GMT -8
the Gore Range trail between Surprise Lake and the Brush Creek trailhead was most unpleasant. That wet spot? I agree. I've always thought it might be possible to bushwhack from the Brush Creek Trailhead to the Gore Range Trail near the ridge where it overlooks Black Creek. It's on my list to try this year. If you follow one of the branches to the north off of Brush Creek Road, it does eventually turn into a trail that comes pretty close, but the road is so bad, you need to park a long ways back, and it ends up being a longer walk. There is lots of beetle kill in this area. Last time we were out there, we had a dead tree blocking the path when we went to drive back. It's a good thing I had a bow saw in my truck! I wish you luck. A few years ago my son and I attempted heading up Black Creek just north of the place where the trail head up that side valley. It's pretty thick, with lots of dead-falls. |
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Post by Lamebeaver on May 24, 2016 5:48:11 GMT -8
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Post by cweston on May 24, 2016 5:53:28 GMT -8
Yeah, the GRT is slow travel in that area. You're right that it has been hit very hard by the beetle blight.
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Post by cweston on May 24, 2016 6:11:19 GMT -8
Again, for anyone following, the high country in the Black Creek headwaters is some of the finest BPing terrain I've been fortunate to travel--it is a PITA to get there, but worth it. (And solitude is all but guaranteed, except for Bubble Lake and the south slopes of Mt. Powell. Outside of those areas, this country receives very few human visitors.) The most reasonable route is not from the Black Creek side at all, but from the Piney River west of the main crest. From the big bend in the Piney River trail, there is a climbers route that heads up an unnamed creek that flows SW from Mt. Powell. This takes you to Knee-Knocker saddle, the pass between Mt. Powell and Peak C. There is a rough path up the super-steep scree slope to the saddle. The initial descent into the Black Creek side is on steep snow, but from there it is easy/open travel to Bubble Lake, or a tougher (but non-technical) route into the Eagle's Nest Cirque. |
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Hungry Jack
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Post by Hungry Jack on May 25, 2016 17:41:39 GMT -8
That Pitkin - Slate TR is awesome.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2016 16:45:05 GMT -8
Hey guys - I also am looking to get into the Slate Creek drainage this week. I was hoping to access via the Brush Creek trailhead. I know how nasty the Brush Creek rd can be - has anyone been up there this year?
First time on the site, thanks for the help!
Jordan
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Post by cweston on Jun 28, 2016 17:17:03 GMT -8
Hey guys - I also am looking to get into the Slate Creek drainage this week. I was hoping to access via the Brush Creek trailhead. I know how nasty the Brush Creek rd can be - has anyone been up there this year? First time on the site, thanks for the help! Jordan Haven't been this year, but I can't imagine it ever being advisable for anything but a 4wd, high-clearance vehicle. The first 200 yards or so is generally the worst. It's a bit of a drag to walk the road, but it really doesn't take that long. Why not the Rock Creek trailhead if you're headed up Slate Creek? And welcome! |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2016 20:07:06 GMT -8
Yeah, that first 200 yards is wicked. I've taken an old beat up truck up the hill, but it had a much shorter wheel base. I've hiked up the road, it isn't too bad. My lady friend is coming along, so trying to make it a bit easier on her. The way in from Rock Creek is a little bit more up and down compared to Brush Creek.
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Post by Lamebeaver on Jun 29, 2016 13:44:35 GMT -8
I haven't been up there yet. I'm guessing the rough part of Brush Creek Road is clear, as there isn't much shade. I'm guessing you'll run into a fair amount of snow on the Slate Creek Trail, though it may be passable. I made it up to Mirror Lake at this time of year a few years ago, when we also had a lot of snow. I remember seeing a waterfall on the trail coming back that hadn't been there the day before.
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Post by cweston on Jun 30, 2016 6:54:46 GMT -8
Yeah, that first 200 yards is wicked. I've taken an old beat up truck up the hill, but it had a much shorter wheel base. I've hiked up the road, it isn't too bad. My lady friend is coming along, so trying to make it a bit easier on her. The way in from Rock Creek is a little bit more up and down compared to Brush Creek. Be sure to let us know what conditions you find up there, please. |
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Post by cweston on Jul 8, 2016 6:13:59 GMT -8
Anyone have any ideas for a possible shuttle from the Surprise trailhead to the Brush Creek (if a 4wd vehicle) or Rock Creek trailhead? It would be the morning of Tue July 19 or the evening of Mon July 18. (Getting a shuttle is not mission critical, but would make the hike more fun with less uninspiring slogging of the GRT on the last day.)
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