[TR] Royal Basin to Constance Pass - High Alpine Traverse Route 8/20/2013

[Fairweather]

Trip: Royal Basin to Constance Pass - High Alpine Traverse Route

 

Date: 8/20/2013

 

Trip Report:

Greg and I did another one of the Olympic Guidebook's "high alpine traverse routes" earlier this week. Traveling from our camp in Upper Royal Basin, we crossed over the divide into the incredibly beautiful meadows of Deception Basin, then down Deception Creek and around the back side of Mount Mystery--through nightmarish slide alder--where we emerged in the valley and snowfields north of Gunsite Notch. From here we descended the south side of the notch to a nice meadow campsite at the source of Twin Creek. In the morning we ascended DelMonte Ridge, then dropped down steep, hard scree to Sunny Brook Meadows where we picked up the trail to Constance Pass. From here, we hiked out the Dungeness Trail.

 

The loop is 27 miles total, with 8 miles of off-trail. Also, the route does not climb Mystery Glacier to its head, rather, it drops below and around Mount Mystery, completely encircling it. Surprisingly, we saw no evidence of recent passage between Deception Basin and Sunny Brook--cairns, boot tracks, etc. Contrary to what I had thought earlier, I don't believe this route is very popular. It doesn't look like Mystery has been climbed much since the Dose Road washed out years ago.

 

I will say that Deception Basin is one of the most beautiful mountain places I have ever been--particularly the wet, flowery meadow below the Mystery Glacier moraine that is fed by the glacier's terminal lake seeping through its own till. This would be a great place to spend a few days. In any event, I would advise anyone traveling this route to exit the basin on the right side of the creek (below Mount Deception) and then avoid traversing directly over to the hanging valley below Gunsite Notch since we spent more than three hours negotiating less than a half-mile of thick Slide Alder. Instead, I'd recommend giving up another 1500' on talus by descending all the way to the confluence of the two creeks, and then climb back up toward Gunsite. Also, it is nearly impossible to stay on DelMonte Ridge around Point 6666, so you'll have to give up 1200' or so by dropping to Sunny Brook Meadows and then climbing again to Constance Pass via the trail.

 

In short, this route is more challenging than I thought it would be, but it was really neat to be in such beautiful places that few others see. Total gain/loss is about 9000 feet and there is lots of steep side-hilling on scree/talus, and a lot of big boulder-hopping too. Heavy boots work nice. Ice axe or crampons would be helpful for the snow below the notch, but aren't absolutely necessary.

 

 

 

 

Marmot in upper Royal Basin

 

Mount Clark emerging

 

Mount Deception shoulder

 

Mount Mystery and Deception Basin

 

Mystery Glacier still breathing

 

Lower meadows Deception Basin

 

Looking across the "shortcut" (not)

 

Three and a half hours of this shit

 

Below Gunsite Notch

 

Looking up to Gunsite Notch

 

Camp at head of Twin Creek

 

The Brothers' other side

 

Sunny Brook Meadows

 

Olympus from Del Monte Ridge

 

The other side of Mount Stone

 

Greg at Sunny Brook Meadows

 

Yours truly at Constance Pass

[alpine et]

great shots - what a beautiful area, thanks for sharing. I wonder how many gorgeous Olympic TRs I'll need to read before getting myself over there....

[Fairweather]

Thanks. I could probably spend the rest of my life hiking and climbing only there and I would be happy. Still, there are so many other great places to go...

[OlympicMtnBoy]

Wow, really cool. I love the picture of the hanging lake off Mystery with the meadow beneath. I've wondered what was in there this time of year! Thanks!

[olyclimber]

Nice! Great weather you got there.

[pink]

nice mister!