18 replies to this topic

[soatley]

Well, I'd hoped to do more of these reports while at the park, but things just didn't work out that way.

On this hike, four of us were dropped off at the Timber Lake TH, while the other two returned to Milner Pass TH. The plan was to meet on the summit of Mt. Ida, and all return to Milner Pass.

From the TH to Timber Lake is about 5 miles, with 2,000 ft gain (11,060ft). On to Ida is another mile plus 1,900 ft additional gain (12,880ft). We got started at 6:50am. Late for us, but we had to drive all the way from the Beaver Meadows entrance.

After our first few steps, we met this young lady.



The Timber Lake trail was very nice. It begins with a relatively flat portion allowing you to get warmed up before the climb begins.



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[soatley]

The trail was not very rugged. Very few cobbles, or rocks in the trail, and I don't recall any big man-made steps. This picture is quite representative of the most of the trail to the lake.



Also, there was very little give-and-take. Once you gained altitude, you kept it, with regularly spaced level areas to catch your breath. I didn't get a picture, but maybe a 1/4 of the way in, there was a clearing with a large flat rock, perfect to seat several people on their first water/snack break of the hike.

Gradually, the trail steepens, and after the Long Meadows junction, you will get to the steepest part on the way to the lake.



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[soatley]

About 3/4 of the way to the lake, you reach a large meadow and a stretch of flat trail.



You can see this meadow from above, along the return route to Milner Pass.



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[soatley]

After the meadow, there's a bit more trail through woods, and some of the rare rugged trail sections. Then you're into the clear at the north end of the lake. The first stage complete, our next goal is to climb the saddle you see in the distance, directly across the lake, and then up the slopes of Ida to the summit.



After a snack, we continued on around the lake along the west side (far side in these pictures). The outlet is between me and the far side in the above picture. We took out break at a large boulder right at the end of the lake. Backtracking 20-30 yards, we found a nice point to step across.



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[soatley]

Here's the view up from the base of the ramp. We went up the left side of the rock hump in the middle.



And back the other way.



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[soatley]

There was a bit of talus in the middle of the climb, and a snow field which was easily avoided.



It took us about 30 minutes to climb from the base to the saddle. The reward was a nice view of Julian Lake, with Longs off in the distance.



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[soatley]

The rest of the climb was typical tundra, with only a few areas of talus. The immediate climb out of the saddle was quite steep, but also quite short.



After climbing out of the saddle, there were two more sections of slope to climb, each less steep than the previous. From the saddle to the summit took 60 minutes.



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[soatley]

Almost there.



Six on the summit. Our other two, took their time, and arrived only 30 minutes ahead of us. It was a bit chilly and breezy on the summit, but much nicer views for us this time. Last year the summit was shrouded in low clouds. Until, of course, we were well on our way back to Milner Pass.



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[soatley]

Chief Cheley and a view along the Divide towards Longs.



Mount Julian, Terra Tomah, and a bit of Forrest Canyon from the summit.



We spent a little time on the summit, and then descended to Milner Pass, finishing about 1:30pm.

Scott

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[Pretzel]

Nice Work soatley... I like the pictures and descriptions a lot. It looks like it was a great hike.

Pretzel

[Allie]

Thanks for the tour - your pics were excellent, as was your descriptions. Enjoyed them very much.

Allie

[bpv_UW]

Thanks a lot for the report and pics. It felt like I was right there with you.

-Brandon

[junkie]

Excellent report. We hope to do the trip in reverse next week - this helps a lot with what to expect.

[druwdowns]

Great hike report. I really want to do this one next year. This would be a good link for Tom's Trail Guide!

~Druw~

[Bill 007]

Thank you sir! We're gonna try Ida from the Milner TH, but the Timber Lake route looks pretty interesting.

Bill