[TR] Snowfield Peak - Neve Glacier 7/14/2007

[Toast]

Trip: Snowfield Peak - Neve Glacier

 

Date: 7/14/2007

 

Trip Report:

Snowfield Peak is hidden behind its little brothers, Colonial, Pyramid and Pinnacle. It's accessed off Hwy 20 just above Diablo Dam. For an alpine target it offers the best that the North Cascades have to dish out, a challenging approach, navigation, two glaciers, amazing views, showering cascades, alpine lakes, wild flowers in abundance, optional peaks to tag in close proximity, and a fun class 3 summit block to scramble up. It also has it's share of challenges including annoying flies, a very steep unmaintained trail, blowdowns obliterating trail, a slick snow over heather traverse (if you miss the right path.)

 

We hit the trail about 7:00, just in time for blazing sun to roast us on most of the approach, and reached the col above the Neve Glacier about 4:00. My friend Ken felt frisky and soloed up Paul Bunyan's Stump nearby. Feeling less frisky, the rest of us scrambled up peak 7505 for a better peek at the glacier crossing the next day. Sub alpine wild flowers are in full bloom right now with dozens of things I've never seen before.

 

About supper time the wind kicked in and pretty much flattened Ken's tent. Improvising trekking poles for struts it made it through 20+ knot squalls overnight. Pretty good for an ultralight TarpTent.

 

Our alarms went off at 4:00, but rain kept us in bed till 6:00. With dark menacing clouds in every direction we decided to give it a whirl about 7:30 and found ourselves on the summit before 10:00 with a 360 degree view of peaks all around us. High pressure moved in enough to dry things out, provide enough wispy clouds to shield the burning sun we endured the day before and give us a light breeze to stay cool and keep the bugs at bay.

 

All in all, things worked out perfect. We were back down to the cars by 5:30 and in time for dinner at the new brewpub just outside Concrete (good craft brew, kinda hokey kitchen, but nice folks and fresh baked cookies with every meal - give em' your business )

 

Pix to come.

 

Gear Notes:

Ice floss for glacier crossing, no gear needed.

 

Approach Notes:

The trail from Pyramid Lake is steep and obvious for the most part. There is a short section of blowdown that obliterates the trail about 4700'. There are several cairns marking the way, most serve no purpose and should be kicked over. I restrained myself from doing so but muttered in annoyance. Just stay on the ridge or just to the north where it gets cliffy. Options for water are limited till the slabs beneath Pyramid Peak (about 5500'.) Crevasses across the Neve are visible and easilly navigable.

 

Scramble up the rock rib extending off the west side of the summit block. Aim for the prominent gully and cross over the arete to the left onto a ramp (cairns mark the way.) At a notch between the gendarme and the summit itself, cross over to the right and find an easy gully up to the summit.

[wayne]

Cool sounding trip Tony, despite the obstacles. I cant believe it rained though

[Toast]

Just a little sprinkle in the morning (not.) I really look forward to sleeping in though

[Maestro]

We saw your sign-in sheet at the ranger station when we stopped to sign in for Eldo, which we climbed Saturday afternoon. We heard those same sprinkles hitting our tents Sunday morning and were glad our climb had been done in Saturday's nice weather, but we thought about you guys. We didn't get the wind though! Glad to hear it cleared up and gave you a nice view.

[Dustin_B]

Here are some pictures. (in case anyone is interested this is the tent Ken and I were using: Rainbow 2)

 

Panorama from summit of Point 7505 (above Colonial/Neve Col) looking at the Snowfield Peak Massif and Neve Glacier.

 

Panorama from summit of Snowfield Peak looking at the Neve Glacier. Colonial is the peak on the far right, and just left and in front of it is Pt. 7505.

 

Tents at camp and (L to R) Paul Bunyan's Stump, Pinnacle Peak, and Pyramid Peak in background.

 

Cool clouds, rain, and light from the Neve Glacier.

[rob]

nice shots!