Trip Report
Alpine Scramble - Church Mountain
I stepped in for Andy Cahn as leader as he injured his ankle the prior day. Beautiful hike to summit then much tougher conditions from there.
- Sun, Jul 29, 2018
- Alpine Scramble - Church Mountain
- Church Mountain
- Scrambling
- Successful
- Road suitable for all vehicles
-
Trail in great shape until last 100 ft below the lookout. Route off north ridge into basin involves down climbing 50-60 ft of exposed rocks with snow just below and more rock outcroppings below that snow which would make a fall potentially serious.
I stepped in for Andy Cahn as leader as he injured his ankle the prior day. Got to the trailhead at 7:30 am and we were on the trail by 7:45. Made great time up a couple of thousand feet to the basin. From there the rest of the way was in the sun amongst hillsides full of wildflowers. Once at the lookout we took a break for lunch and then started our decent into the basin. This was complicated by steep snow on the upper north slope below the lookout summit rocks. Since we hadn't brought our ice axes after 45 minutes of trying various exposed T4 routes around and above the snow we called it a day having only made it to the lookout peak. Still a beautiful day to be in the mountains with amazing 360 degree views.