Tourist Creek, WRR

[Lowro]

I am considering a solo route this summer up Tourist Creek then up and around Sourdough and out past Slide Lake. Thinking of staying near Scott Lk, visiting Mammoth then moving on to Flagstone Lk. Then over to Baker Lk and to Elbow and Slide Lakes. It's a combination of Pallisters routes 38 and 40. Thinking 7 nights would give time to enjoy some of the surrounding area. Short mileage days but they look like there could be a couple difficult days. Does anyone have experience with any sections of this route that would have any advice or suggestions? Thanks

 

[b.stark]

Been in some of that area. I'll have to check my copy of Pallister's guide after work to see if I have anything specific to add. I have not been up Tourist Creek but want to do it someday. It's rough country but worth it if you like that kind of thing.

 

[Dreamer]

It's rough country but worth it if you like that kind of thing.

I’ve been through Split Mountain, up and down Tourist and by Baker. Some very tough going. Tricky route finding. Good physical fitness and experienced judgement highly recommended. Watch your footing. Be prepared for possible harsh weather delays of a day or more in exposed conditions.

 

[b.stark]

@Dreamer how is it going through Split Mountain? I've eyed that way on maps for years, and still haven't determined if it's something I'd like to attempt. Not sure if it is more of a climber's route or something a backpacker of the appropriate skill could do. I would really prefer to make a pass through from split mountain pass and over toward baker/iceberg instead of going up tourist creek, just because I like the route options better.

 

[Dreamer]

It's rough country but worth it if you like that kind of thing.

It‘s scrambling or as I like to call it ‘athletic’ backpacking. I think it qualifies as mountaineering. Not super hard or scary, but a little class 3 and some risk. We had axes and saw no crevasses but followed others tracks and they could be there. I was a bit concerned so I found some nice experienced folks to do the route with. It doesn’t have the big boulders that Tourist Ck does but is steeper. Early season snow on the southern side could be a problem.

 

[Bob]

I am considering a solo route this summer up Tourist Creek then up and around Sourdough and out past Slide Lake. Thinking of staying near Scott Lk, visiting Mammoth then moving on to Flagstone Lk. Then over to Baker Lk and to Elbow and Slide Lakes. It's a combination of Pallisters routes 38 and 40. Thinking 7 nights would give time to enjoy some of the surrounding area. Short mileage days but they look like there could be a couple difficult days. Does anyone have experience with any sections of this route that would have any advice or suggestions? Thanks

Tourist creek was pretty tough many many years ago..... Don't think it's changed.... Not a place I wanted to go back too....lol

 

[b.stark]

Thanks @Dreamer . Looks like the kind of thing I would do. "Class 3 and some risk" is fine for me.

 

[Dreamer]

Thanks @Dreamer . Looks like the kind of thing I would do. "Class 3 and some risk" is fine for me.

If you can get up the side of Downs from Bear Basin you should be good.

 

[Bob]

If you can get up the side of Downs from Bear Basin you should be good.

You can

 

[Lowro]

I’ve been through Split Mountain, up and down Tourist and by Baker. Some very tough going. Tricky route finding. Good physical fitness and experienced judgement highly recommended. Watch your footing. Be prepared for possible harsh weather delays of a day or more in exposed conditions.

View attachment 95628
lower Tourist Creek

View attachment 95629
more Tourist Creek

View attachment 95630
view towards Mammoth Glacier, Scott Lk is down in the hole between the mid and foreground

View attachment 95631
some of the easy stuff, not so easy Klondike/Pedestal in the background

View attachment 95632
looking down Klondike/Pedestal

View attachment 95633
a look over Baker towards where you would go

Great pics, thanks. Tourist Creek does look punishing. I think the solitude and surroundings would be most incredible though.

 

[Lowro]

Tourist creek was pretty tough many many years ago..... Don't think it's changed.... Not a place I wanted to go

 

[Lowro]

Tourist creek was pretty tough many many years ago..... Don't think it's changed.... Not a place I wanted to go back too....lol

That's partially why I am drawn to that route. I know there will be a day when I am wise enough not to do it. Lol

Do you recall, Is the higher route that Pallister describes the better option?

 

[Bob]

I have heard higher is better finding a game trail.... Posted somewhere...... Been once so all t
I know is we weren't that high up the slope most places. . Not much help there