A few days ago we went out with for our objective the Hidden Canyon Saddle (between Clayton Peak 10,721 and Peak 10,420) on the Guardsman's Pass to Clayton Peak ridgeline. That day we didn’t make it all the way mainly because of our route being just enough off that we missed our objective. So, we went back there today and nailed it!
We started the tour with a skin from Empire Lodge up Orion slope and from there crossed over to Bonanza Flats where the Old State Route 152 and Pine Canyon Rd meet. From there we aimed square for Bloods Lake at about 9,500’. After that, we followed the summer trail towards Lake Lackawaxen and about halfway into the trail we took a hard left (west) towards the headwall under the pass, then skinned it up, et voila!
For the return we contoured, on skins, 10,420’ on the Big Cottonwood side and so skinned through part of Hidden Valley, then onto Sunny Glades and into Promised Land which holds amazing ski lines. Once we made it back to the Guardsman's Pass ridgeline it was skis on the back (not enough snow to ski down) down to Guardsman's Pass. After that, still walking, it was down Old State Route 152. Then it was a skin back up a service road to Deer Valley and down Ontario back to the Empire Lodge.
This does not qualify for a glamorous Wasatch bluebird powder day. However, it’s was still beautiful and it’s always fun to figure out the terrain and approach when you make up your own tour!
We started the tour with a skin from Empire Lodge up Orion slope and from there crossed over to Bonanza Flats where the Old State Route 152 and Pine Canyon Rd meet. From there we aimed square for Bloods Lake at about 9,500’. After that, we followed the summer trail towards Lake Lackawaxen and about halfway into the trail we took a hard left (west) towards the headwall under the pass, then skinned it up, et voila!
For the return we contoured, on skins, 10,420’ on the Big Cottonwood side and so skinned through part of Hidden Valley, then onto Sunny Glades and into Promised Land which holds amazing ski lines. Once we made it back to the Guardsman's Pass ridgeline it was skis on the back (not enough snow to ski down) down to Guardsman's Pass. After that, still walking, it was down Old State Route 152. Then it was a skin back up a service road to Deer Valley and down Ontario back to the Empire Lodge.
This does not qualify for a glamorous Wasatch bluebird powder day. However, it’s was still beautiful and it’s always fun to figure out the terrain and approach when you make up your own tour!
Here are the pictures (click to enlarge):
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| The ridgeline. |
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| Mike, Loki, and Skadi at a frozen Bloods Lake. |
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| On top Peak 10,420 dominating Bloods Lake. |
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| The white field in the center is the slope just under Hidden Valley Pass. |
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| View of upper Big Cottonwood Canyon while contouring the "backside" of Peak 10,420. In the Center is Mount Wolverine with, to its right, Mount Millicent, and to its left Mount Tuscarora, |
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| Beyond and above Twin Lakes Pass (center) is Mount Superior in Little Cottonwood Canyon. |
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| Mike walking down the ridgeline to Guardsman's Pass. This was a skin up, skin down, climb, hike up and down with your skis on your back. Anything but actual skiing! Time for more snow! |
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