Climb: Sluiskin Peak - Vernal Pk - Elysian Fields.....-XC
Date of Climb: 7/28/2006
Trip Report: Together with my friend Greg, we left Ipsut Creek TH at 8:00am with the intention of climbing Sluiskin Peaks and traversing XC across Vernal Park, Elysian Fields, and traversing Pacific Point or descending via Dick Creek.
The lower crossing of The Carbon River is out. We forded it with sandals and not too much difficulty, and headed up, up, up through beautiful mist-filled forest breaking out above the clouds just below Windy Gap.
From here we traversed cross-country up talus-filled ravines, creeks, and Alpine Fir groves to the col between The Chief and The Squaw.
Beckey's route description telling us that the climb is a mere class 3 scramble we climbed upward to the base of The Chief and beyond - the terrain steadily progressing from 3rd to hard fourth class.
About 50 feet from the top we came upon belay slings and it was clear that the route above was very exposed low-fifth. With no rope - and not wanting to downclimb this difficult terrain, we bagged out about 40 or 50 feet from the top.
Upon our return to the col, we decided to continue with our plans to visit Vernal Park, and seldom-visited Elysian Fields. We headed down a steep scree-filled gully about 1000 feet to beautiful Vernal Park.
Then, up about 500 feet to the col that separates Vernal Park from Elysian Fields.
We excitedly dropped through alpine fir groves headed for the meadows, when we came upon a "Black" Bear. Actually, the brownest blackie I've ever seen! He appeared to be too busy humping a log/scratching his underside to care about us - we were about 100 feet away.
The meadows here are probably amongst the most magnificent I've ever seen. Small ponds and flowing rivulets everywhere. We were careful to walk apart and avoid trampling.
With clouds and fog threatening, we resisted the temptation to descend directly down Dick Creek. (This turned out to be a very good decision.) Instead, we climbed up several hundred feet to the top of Pacific Point.
Great views! And we were able to see - partly - the folly that Dick Creek would have been. We instead headed back down yet another talus slope and thick forest - 2000 feet down - to pick up the Wonderland Trail just below Mystic Park. Flowers!
Hiked out 7 miles from here to our start point. 11 hrs round trip.
Gear Notes: Should have brought a rope for Sluiskin. Not 3rd class!
Approach Notes: Ipsut to Windy Gap in....
Exit via Wonderland trail from Mystic Park.
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