Lumpy Ridge bushwhack 4/14
A disappointing snow season offered me a chance to expand my early season ventures from traditional warm-up peaks to other higher destinations, The Needles and Lumpy Ridge high point seemed appealing. Starting early at the Gem Lake TH I traversed along the base of the ever interesting Lumpy Ridge for 3.3 miles to the Dark Mountain/Black Canyon trail junction. From there the route is straightforward enough--climb upwards for about 1000 feet. Several small knobs offered views into the southern arm of the Mummies, and I was surprised to see a fresh bootprint in a sandy saddle with one of these knobs. Upwards I continued, knowing eventually I'd want to skirt around the apex of Sundance Butress and the middle Needle. When I began to hit large drifts of snow without warning, I decided there was no time like the present. I was spit out of the forest at the saddle between Needles, and the final scramble presented no surprises. The airy summit offered nice views into the neighboring valleys and low peaks. As I sat for a snack the hanging clouds began to drop out large, fluffy snowflakes.
Dropping off the summit and heading east towards my next destination, I had expected a long, horrendous bushwhack. The truth is, taking this little traverse was a very enjoyable detour through open forest and white aspen groves. Skirting south around Observation Dome I began catching views of Lumpy Ridge HP(sometimes called Double Dome). Climbing up the south face of the granite dome proved a bit of a challenge, as several of the fissures and cracks I straddled between either closed out or became hopeless for someone looking for a non-committing route. Eventually after a little scouting I found a viable route that involved several difficult class 3 moves and some exposure. There may be easier routes on the north face, keep in mind. At the double summit I had a nice view back on my route and could even hear wild turkeys some 1800' below in the meadow.
I hoped to pick up the trail again by slipping down the small drainage leading around the side of Batman Rock. Dropping down to the bench that holds the drainage, I was able to find a very well worn climbers trail back to the meadow. Of course at this point I was encroaching on seasonal raptor closers in the area, but without ever seeing(or being attacked by) any large birds, I figured I wasn't causing too much disruption. I headed back to the TH with a light rain falling.
Dropping off the summit and heading east towards my next destination, I had expected a long, horrendous bushwhack. The truth is, taking this little traverse was a very enjoyable detour through open forest and white aspen groves. Skirting south around Observation Dome I began catching views of Lumpy Ridge HP(sometimes called Double Dome). Climbing up the south face of the granite dome proved a bit of a challenge, as several of the fissures and cracks I straddled between either closed out or became hopeless for someone looking for a non-committing route. Eventually after a little scouting I found a viable route that involved several difficult class 3 moves and some exposure. There may be easier routes on the north face, keep in mind. At the double summit I had a nice view back on my route and could even hear wild turkeys some 1800' below in the meadow.
I hoped to pick up the trail again by slipping down the small drainage leading around the side of Batman Rock. Dropping down to the bench that holds the drainage, I was able to find a very well worn climbers trail back to the meadow. Of course at this point I was encroaching on seasonal raptor closers in the area, but without ever seeing(or being attacked by) any large birds, I figured I wasn't causing too much disruption. I headed back to the TH with a light rain falling.
