The go-go-go month.
July in Montana tends to be packed to the brim with concert events, reunions, household journeys, weddings, float journeys, rodeos, and numerous out of doors adventures. You identify it – if it occurs outdoors, there’s probability it’s been scheduled for July. Sadly, smokey skies and excessive warmth have been placing an actual damper on out of doors actions these previous a number of weeks. Regardless of lower than ideally suited situations, a pair associates and I made a decision to take an opportunity and proceed with our plans climb Electrical Peak in Yellowstone Park this previous week, hoping to catch a break from the warmth and haze.
Scramblin’, scramblin’, scramblin’.
Dave, Murray, and I left Helena at 8:30 am Wednesday (7/21/21), drove 185 miles to the Glen Creek Trailhead close to Gardiner, and hiked 6.7 miles right into a campsite that Dave had reserved. Early Thursday morning, we adopted a nice path, then ascended a a lot steeper (unofficial) climbers path, after which completed with a difficult half-hour scramble to the highest (guided by cairns). We dealt with the steep climbing with ease however the final half-hour of scrambling was an actual take a look at – As you’ll see within the picture tour, it was a bit sketchy in locations. Thankfully, strategically-placed cairns alongside the final quarter mile guided us to the highest, in any other case issues might have turned out otherwise. It was 4 miles from our tents to the summit with about 3,000 ft of elevation acquire. (photo tour)
Our fortunate day.
That 4-mile hike from our tents to the summit took us 2 hours 45 minutes. We loved 45 minutes of good summit time with little or no wind, temps within the 60’s and no smoky haze due to a high-pressure system that was pushing the smoke to the north of the park. It was an actual pleasure to have the ability to merely see off into the gap for a change. A spotlight for me was recognizing Sphinx Mountain and Lone Peak, 30 miles to our west. The day after our hike the winds shifted, bringing smoke from an enormous fireplace in California into the park.
The slog.
We began down at 10 am. One other problem got here after climbing again to camp, taking down the tents, and loading up the packs. It had warmed up by then, and we have been drained – plus carrying packs took lots of the enjoyable out of strolling the final 6.7 miles. It was actual slog, however a small worth to pay for such a terrific expertise. We arrived again on the trailhead at 3 pm.
Simply sayin’.
In line with my OnX app, our mileage totals have been 6.7 on Wednesday and 14.7 on Thursday for a two-day whole of 21.4 miles. The campsite was half a mile off the path to the summit in order that added a pair miles. Relying in your health degree, it is perhaps greatest to do the height as a one-day journey (19.4 miles journey with over 3,700 ft of elevation acquire). As for the scrambly half close to the highest – you’re by yourself. I hope these cairns are nonetheless there if you happen to make the journey. Get an early begin and watch out!
Beneath: This map marks hikes which were featured on bigskywalker.com to date, together with a number of in Glacier Park – Choose full display to develop, zoom in for extra element, or click on on a marker for a hyperlink to the put up.
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