Steven.reed.smith
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- Aug 19, 2024
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Just getting around to posting this trip report from 9/5/2024-9/8/2024.
Day 1: Backpacking to Base Camp. 9.2 Mi, 1719 ft ascent.
Thursday morning, backpacked to Henry's Fork Lake via Big Meadows Trail. There wasn't really an established trailhead that we could find, just a clearing we pulled off of from one of the forest service roads. the trail was easy to find at first, but after it forked to China Meadows, it was difficult. A lot of trail finding required and climbing over deadfall. There wasn't a soul in sight, though, and that's why we chose this trail. Eventually, the trail came out of the trees, and the sweeping views of the Henry's Fork basin from Dahlgreen ridge were stunning, with all our peaks in view. we dropped down into the basin and continued to the north side of Henry's Fork Lake, where we were greeted by our first of many moose encounters. Found a perfect already established campsite with benches and fire ring and set up camp there. This would be our base camp for the rest of the trip.
Day 2: Gilbert and Gunsight. 10.6 mi, 4018 ft ascent.
Friday morning, after breakfast, we grabbed our day bags and set out towards Dollar Lake. We saw several hikers getting started on their ascent to Kings. We headed east of Dollar Lake and up the ridgeline to the south. It was fairly steep but nothing technical. Once it flattened out, we headed east again toward Gilbert Peak, which could clearly be seen in the distance. Eventually, the trek to Gilbert turned into a scramble, but nothing too crazy. Once on top, we took a minute to enjoy the views and some lunch, then it was off to bag Gunsight Peak. We descended Gilbert generally the same way we ascended until after the scramble, then we veered off to the south along the ridge line. The views into Gilbert Creek Basin were stunning. The ascent to Gunsight was fairly easy with less of a scramble than Gilbert. Gunsight offered amazing views of Kings and 360 views into Painter Basin, Henry's Fork Basin, and Gilbert Greek Basin. At this point, our group split up into 2 groups, 1 group that headed north and back to camp the way we came, and another group that descended the south face of Gunsight Peak down to Gunsight Pass. The group that headed south had a hard time with the loose scree and navigating some tricky cliffs. The north group had a much easier but less exciting time. Eventually, we all made it back to camp before dark, where enjoyed our dinners and watching the moose in the lake.
Day 3: The Powell Triplets. 7.1 miles, 2,650 ft ascent.
After breakfast, we headed out again, this time to the west. Navigated through the marshes just west of Henry's Fork Lake and then up the ridge toward Castle Lake. After Castle Lake, we continued west to the ravine where we scrambled up toward the south. This was one of the most exciting scrambles I had done to date. the views looking east were rewarding as we could clearly see Gilbert Peak, which we had summited the day before. Halfway up the scramble, we found a spring running out of the boulder and stopped for a refreshing drink. we continued our scramble up Mount Powell. After a small break at the summit, we continued south on the ridgeline to mid and south Powell. there were a few minor cliffs to maneuver, but nothing with exposures or anything too technical. finally, at South Powell, we rested and took in the incredible view of Red Castle, Wilson, Kings, South Kings, Henry's Fork Basin, Yellow Yellowstone Basin, and smith's Fork Basin. Perhaps the most rewarding views I've experienced on a summit. To date, the Powell triplets are my favorite summit. highly recommend. after a small lunch, we headed back down to the saddle between South and Mid Powell and then headed east, navigating our way down the east spur. At one point, we noticed a family of 3 mountain goats navigating the cliffs of South Powell's East Face. it was remarkable to watch them navigate it with such ease. We dropped down just west of Cliff Lake, which invited us in for a refreshing swim. there is, surprisingly, a nice sandy beach that gradually goes into the lake on the west side. after our refreshing swim, we headed back north, passing on the east side of Lake Blanchard and back down the ridge. We stopped to enjoy Blanchard Falls before dropping back down to the trail and back to our camp.
Day 4: Back home.
Packed up camp, but our backpacks back on, and headed out the way we came. As we got into our trucks, it started to rain... the first rain of the entire trip. What luck!
Day 1: Backpacking to Base Camp. 9.2 Mi, 1719 ft ascent.
Thursday morning, backpacked to Henry's Fork Lake via Big Meadows Trail. There wasn't really an established trailhead that we could find, just a clearing we pulled off of from one of the forest service roads. the trail was easy to find at first, but after it forked to China Meadows, it was difficult. A lot of trail finding required and climbing over deadfall. There wasn't a soul in sight, though, and that's why we chose this trail. Eventually, the trail came out of the trees, and the sweeping views of the Henry's Fork basin from Dahlgreen ridge were stunning, with all our peaks in view. we dropped down into the basin and continued to the north side of Henry's Fork Lake, where we were greeted by our first of many moose encounters. Found a perfect already established campsite with benches and fire ring and set up camp there. This would be our base camp for the rest of the trip.
Day 2: Gilbert and Gunsight. 10.6 mi, 4018 ft ascent.
Friday morning, after breakfast, we grabbed our day bags and set out towards Dollar Lake. We saw several hikers getting started on their ascent to Kings. We headed east of Dollar Lake and up the ridgeline to the south. It was fairly steep but nothing technical. Once it flattened out, we headed east again toward Gilbert Peak, which could clearly be seen in the distance. Eventually, the trek to Gilbert turned into a scramble, but nothing too crazy. Once on top, we took a minute to enjoy the views and some lunch, then it was off to bag Gunsight Peak. We descended Gilbert generally the same way we ascended until after the scramble, then we veered off to the south along the ridge line. The views into Gilbert Creek Basin were stunning. The ascent to Gunsight was fairly easy with less of a scramble than Gilbert. Gunsight offered amazing views of Kings and 360 views into Painter Basin, Henry's Fork Basin, and Gilbert Greek Basin. At this point, our group split up into 2 groups, 1 group that headed north and back to camp the way we came, and another group that descended the south face of Gunsight Peak down to Gunsight Pass. The group that headed south had a hard time with the loose scree and navigating some tricky cliffs. The north group had a much easier but less exciting time. Eventually, we all made it back to camp before dark, where enjoyed our dinners and watching the moose in the lake.
Day 3: The Powell Triplets. 7.1 miles, 2,650 ft ascent.
After breakfast, we headed out again, this time to the west. Navigated through the marshes just west of Henry's Fork Lake and then up the ridge toward Castle Lake. After Castle Lake, we continued west to the ravine where we scrambled up toward the south. This was one of the most exciting scrambles I had done to date. the views looking east were rewarding as we could clearly see Gilbert Peak, which we had summited the day before. Halfway up the scramble, we found a spring running out of the boulder and stopped for a refreshing drink. we continued our scramble up Mount Powell. After a small break at the summit, we continued south on the ridgeline to mid and south Powell. there were a few minor cliffs to maneuver, but nothing with exposures or anything too technical. finally, at South Powell, we rested and took in the incredible view of Red Castle, Wilson, Kings, South Kings, Henry's Fork Basin, Yellow Yellowstone Basin, and smith's Fork Basin. Perhaps the most rewarding views I've experienced on a summit. To date, the Powell triplets are my favorite summit. highly recommend. after a small lunch, we headed back down to the saddle between South and Mid Powell and then headed east, navigating our way down the east spur. At one point, we noticed a family of 3 mountain goats navigating the cliffs of South Powell's East Face. it was remarkable to watch them navigate it with such ease. We dropped down just west of Cliff Lake, which invited us in for a refreshing swim. there is, surprisingly, a nice sandy beach that gradually goes into the lake on the west side. after our refreshing swim, we headed back north, passing on the east side of Lake Blanchard and back down the ridge. We stopped to enjoy Blanchard Falls before dropping back down to the trail and back to our camp.
Day 4: Back home.
Packed up camp, but our backpacks back on, and headed out the way we came. As we got into our trucks, it started to rain... the first rain of the entire trip. What luck!
