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| The summiteers: Me, Forest, Roger, and Bryan. Bryan Kercher photo. |
Date: August 18, 2017
Trip Leader: John Bardsley
Attendees: Jen Bardsley, Forest Dean, Jim Goss, Bryan Kercher, Monica Roscoe, Roger Stevens
The original plan for Friday of this year’s Glacier Classic was to climb Mount Brown, but with fires closing the Sperry Trail, I needed to find another objective and decided on Mount Grinnell.
Our group followed what seems to be the standard route, which starts at The Loop, travels to Granite Park Chalet, and then continues on to the Grinnell Glacier Overlook. At the overlook, the route leaves the trail, traversing north along the east side of the Garden Wall. The traverse is loose and exposed enough in spots that Jim turned back early on, and then about one-half mile from the summit, Monica decided that she wanted to turn back as well. Jen joined Monica, while I continued with the rest of the group to the summit. After a brief respite, I rushed back, meeting Jen and Monica just before they reached Grinnell Glacier Overlook. Forest, Bryan, and Roger opted instead to return via the Swiftcurrent Glacier Basin. Once back at the Highline Trail, Jen and Monica decided to hike it south to Logan Pass, while I waited for the fellas at Granite Park Chalet. Once we were together, we bombed the hot, dusty, and busy trail back to our cars at the Loop. I picked up Jen and Monica at Logan Pass on our way to Johnson’s Campground in St. Mary, where The Rocky Mountaineers were camping for the weekend. It was a great day!
Route statistics: 13 miles roundtrip with approximately 5500 feet of gain.
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| The traverse out from Grinnell Glacier Overlook. Bryan Kercher photo. |
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| Bryan Kercher photo. |
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| Roger looking out over Grinnell Glacier. Bryan Kercher photo |
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| The final ridge to the summit. Bryan Kercher photo. |
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| On the summit, checking the return route options. Photo by Roger Stevens. |
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| Panorama from the summit. Grinnell Glacier and Mount Gould left, Swiftcurrent Glacier right. Bryan Kercher photo. |
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| Looking back Grinnell from Swiftcurrent Glacier basin. Bryan Kercher photo. |
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| Dropping down to Granite Park Chalet. Bryan Kercher photo. |
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