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Alpine Scramble - Humpback Mountain

Successful after work scramble up Humpback Mountain with mixture of students and graduates.

Magda Bojarska Magda Bojarska
July 07, 2021
  • Road rough but passable

  • We started at the upper trailhead to save some time given it was afternoon outing and none of us was looking forward to hiking in a dark. Route is now completely snow free, and thanks to dry and sunny days last week, we encountered no mud or any wetness on a trail. No traction needed, helmets useful on a last section where you cross the boulder field, however that was the most stable boulder field I have encountered in a while. There was no single rock moving anywhere!

We met at 4pm at the T junction at exit 47 and carpooled in two high clearance vehicles to the upper trailhead. Road is rough (lots of potholes, some of them pretty deep) and it was a good decision to take up only high clearance vehicles - low clearance cars can probably make it, but with lots of caution (we have seen some on a lower trailhead).. It took us about 30mins to get from highway exit to the trailhead.

The first half a mile is on what is marked on a map as a forest road, but in fact it more resemble a trail than a road. The junction where Humpback ridge starts is unmarked, so keep watching out for it. It is on quite obvious turn of the road on a map and that turn is noticeable in the terrain as well.

PXL_20210707_015919281.jpgThe rest of the "trail" is officially unmaintained, but in pretty good condition. At about 4800ft you will encounter first boulder field and that's where we decided to put on our helmets. The trail is going on and off boulders and as I mentioned before, it was the most stable boulder field I have seen in a long while.

PXL_20210707_012640214.jpg

We reached the top in about 1hr 50mins and was greeted by beautiful views of surrounding mountains. The only drawback were mosquitos, who clearly like the summit as well. After 15 minutes break and quick snack, we started a decent and uneventfully retreat our steps all the way to the cars. We reached cars a bit after 8pm.

Great group and amazing outing in an amazing weather! Many thanks to Danielle for being my mentor on this outing!