panatomicx
Trail Wise!
Less noise and more green
Posts: 497 
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Post by panatomicx on Jul 9, 2016 12:14:56 GMT -8
We're planning another trip to the Beartooths this summer. (Yes, we are really in a rut!). The plan is to leave from the Island Lake trailhead, take the Beartooth Highlakes trail up to Green Lake, then head up Sierra Creek to Summerville, Castle, Alp, Crystal Lake. Then up to Maryott, Donelson, Triskele, and back down to Jasper, Albino and Becker Lake. Anyone have any advice or opinion about getting from Alp Lake to Crystal, and from Crystal to Maryott? That's the crux of the trip, as I see it.   That's Maryott to the upper right in the 2nd pic. Of course weather etc. may change things, but this is our idea so far. We've also managed to con two other poor schnooks into joining us, so it should be fun. And I hear that Sierra Creek is real purty. Thanks for any input. |
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Post by cweston on Jul 9, 2016 17:12:07 GMT -8
I've done that exact route--it's fantastic and you'll have no trouble.
Don't go directly up the creek from Alp Lake to Crystal. Drop a little to the S into the draw that takes you directly to Crystal Lake. No worries.
From Crystal to Maryott is a bit steep but no real difficulties. Again, stay away from the creek. A little north of the creek, start up the slope and you'll encounter some boot-built tread that switches back a couple times. You'll come up through a screen of trees at the top of the slope, then head back to the water.
You're correct that Crystal to Maryott is the crux of the route, but it's really no problem. Lots of beautiful terrain in that area.
Take lots of deet and consider headnets. When I was there, it was a very heavy snow year and the mosquitos were quite bad. We made fires (which I rarely do BPing) because we found it was the only way to cook and eat in peace.
Have a great trip.
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Post by hikerjer on Jul 9, 2016 20:45:56 GMT -8
When I was there, it was a very heavy snow year and the mosquitos were quite bad. For better or worse this has been a ver low snow year so perhaps, just perhaps, the bugs won't be so bad. Have a great trip. |
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dorf
New Member
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Post by dorf on Jul 10, 2016 6:12:54 GMT -8
First post on the new board for me. I've been all through this area multiple times so here's what I'd do...
Reverse your route. Camp anywhere between Albino and Jasper/Golden that first night. You should be able to make to to Crystal/Alp for your second night via Triskele, Donelson, etc.. Fairly easy descent down to Crystal if you can find the use trail alluded to above---it does exist.
There is a use trail from the Crystal outlet down to Alp. Stay west of the stream and you'll find it, and even if you don't it's mostly grass and it will take you directly to a decent camp site. There are others across the lake near the outlet.
To finish the loop take the use trail down Sierra Cr. to the falls below Summerville. Hopefully there is still some decent flow when you're there---makes the falls more impressive. At this point you can continue along on the use trail to Green and then hit the main trip up to Trail Lake and back to your car the way you originally planned on coming in. OR, what I'd do, is take one of the use trails from around Spogen and work my away around to Wright, Martin and up to Rachel, the Cloverleafs and back to Golden. From Golden t's an easy walk around the lake back to Jasper and out or you could follow the outlet down toward Hidden (nice places to camp in the meadows below Golden) and then XC over to T Lake and follow the trail back to Island.
Hi Jer
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Post by cweston on Jul 10, 2016 6:30:26 GMT -8
Welcome back, Dorf.
I agree with his suggestion--keeps you off trail more of the trip and in more interesting terrain than you'd hit on the trail. (Not that the terrain on the trail sucks or anything: it's all relative.)
I'm not sure why it really matters which direction you go, except maybe that Dorf's suggestion makes that one steep bit between Crystal and Maryott downhill. I really like going up Sierra Creek as opposed to down it--it is a spectacular view up the drainage.
Also, don't forget to take a side trip further up Sierra Creek to and beyond Flat Rock Lake. If you're camped at Crystal, there is an easy, direct route to Flat Rock over a pass NNE of Crystal--you can go via Sierra Creek one way and via this pass the other way.
Alp or Crystal make for really good base camps if you have an extra day or two to explore the area.
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panatomicx
Trail Wise!
Less noise and more green
Posts: 497
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Post by panatomicx on Jul 10, 2016 9:26:30 GMT -8
Thanks guys! Dorf-That's the trip we did two years ago(I've looked at all your TR's, they were very helpful) but had to cut short due to bad weather. Wound up doing Becker-Albino-Jasper, then left turn to Golden- Cloverleaf-Rachel-Martin-out. So we missed the Sierra Creek drainage. I figured we'd change it up this time. I'll have to think about the different direction.
cweston-Thanks for the info-have a great time in CO.
Jer-Have a wonderful adventure.
Dorf-you doing anything this summer?
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joe
Trail Wise!
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Post by joe on Jul 10, 2016 13:07:30 GMT -8
"Take lots of deet and consider headnets. When I was there, it was a very heavy snow year and the mosquitos were quite bad."
Panatomic's trail buddy here.Thanks for all the advice, gentlemen....you've all been greatly helpful over the years in our trip planning.
We did most of this proposed route 2 years ago and basically lived in headnets. It was pretty bad. On the other hand we've had other trips with few bugs. Last year we were in a little further west in the Aero/Rough/Skytop/Oly area, and literally saw about 3 skeeters over the course of 6 days. Is there anything about the region north of Island Lake that makes it bug heaven, or is it all about the previous winters snow?
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daveb
Trail Wise!
Posts: 589
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Post by daveb on Jul 12, 2016 7:06:34 GMT -8
Out of curiosity, what dates would you consider to be the best time to hike this area?
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Post by larrys on Jul 12, 2016 11:50:20 GMT -8
Great to see you back Dorf.
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Post by cweston on Jul 12, 2016 12:00:06 GMT -8
Out of curiosity, what dates would you consider to be the best time to hike this area? Any time I can get there  I don't mind some snow, so I generally like to get places earlier in the season if possible--maybe I'm imagining it, but I think the Rocky Mountain summer monsoons are a bit more hit-and-miss in mid-July than in August. Jer would know better than me when the season usually starts there. |
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Post by swimswithtrout on Jul 12, 2016 16:15:59 GMT -8
First post on the new board for me. I've been all through this area multiple times so here's what I'd do... About time you showed up ! Welcome back !! |
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panatomicx
Trail Wise!
Less noise and more green
Posts: 497
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Post by panatomicx on Aug 22, 2016 13:33:45 GMT -8
Just back, very low snow year, we never walked on the stuff. Few to no bugs, streams are low, able to rock hop across. I'll post a TR soon.
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