Bean Peak & Volcanic Neck

Trip Date: 6/21/14

Route Condition: It was 38 degrees when we left the TH at 8:40 a.m. There were enough trees over Bean Creek to make a dry crossing possible. Most of the snow in the basin is gone. Attaining the summit of Bean was a straight-forward scramble on 3rd class rock. The traverse to Volcanic Neck had some corniced snow on the ridge, so a bit of caution here was necessary. The scramble up VN was delightful, with a few heart-pounding airy moments. Instead of retracing our steps down Bean Basin, we hiked out via the Hardscrabble Trail, Fourth Creek Trail and Beverly Turnpike Trail to make a nice loop. Snow still covers about 50% of the ground in the Fourth Creek basin.

Equipment: Helmets were needed for Bean Peak and Volcanic Neck. We did not need ice axes, however, because any remaining snow is either not steep enough or can be avoided.

Summary: RT time was 7 1/2 hours, with generous summit breaks on Bean Peak and Volcanic Neck.