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Ascent of Granite Peak on 2012-08-07

Climber: Jim Retemeyer

Others in Party:

Jim Sartin

Date:

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Ascent Type:

Successful Summit Attained

Motorized Transport to Trailhead:

4x4 Vehicle

Peak:

Granite Peak

Location:

USA-Montana

Elevation:

12799 ft / 3901 m

Ascent Trip Report

This is fairly straight forward climb. The weather is really the only inhibitor.
We hiked from TH to Lady Lake then crossed Broadwater Creek to stay on northside of Sky Top Creek drainage. It is a wonderful hike along the creek...up to Lone Elk Lake. We circled north around this lake and then south of Rough Lakes. We went past Rough Lakes for our base camp. Six hours from TH and maybe 9 miles or so.
We left the next morning at 6am for another 9+ miles (RT) summit trek. We went west of Sky Top Lakes, but you can go on either side. We found distinctive black triangular rock with ease. Quite the scree/talus slope to get to the extreme left side. We had heard it was a bowling alley up the SW coulier, but found it to be quite nice. There was nothing heart gripping about the ascent here. Rule of thumb...in coulier...stay right, right, right. Once out of coulier and in abyss...stay left and follow cairns. In no time you will be on summit. We had perfect weather the entire day.
We decided to stay an extra night to rest and then hiked uneventfully out the next day...5 hours. The Sky Top Creek is clearly the way to hike to your base camp. This is based on me trying the other route through Aero Lakes the last time.
This is truly an enjoyable hike/climb.
Note: Two caution items are grizzlies and mountain goats in area. Signs everywhere for grizzlies at the lower altitudes. Mountains goats will most likely visit your base camp. We personally brought a lightweight 357 with hollow points and a can of bear spray.

Summary Total Data

Elevation Gain:

4899 ft / 1493 m

Grade/Class:

Quality:

6 (on a subjective 1-10 scale)

Route Conditions: