6:15 am
Early morning. Iron Mountain (center) over the San Joaquin River (Middle Fork) valley, from the Minaret Road. The sky is partially cloudy, and the forecast calls for 20% chance of thunderstorms later in the day. At 7:15 am, we started the hike from the Devils Postpile Ranger Station trailhead, and headed towards Beck and Ashley Lakes.
9:20 am
Getting closer.
Getting closer.
9:50 am
Swift stream coming from Ashley Lake. Iron Mountain peeking at the horizon.
Swift stream coming from Ashley Lake. Iron Mountain peeking at the horizon.
10:10 am
Ashley Lake Creek, snowfield (center) and the summit of Iron Mountain (right).
Ashley Lake Creek, snowfield (center) and the summit of Iron Mountain (right).
10:25 am
At the beautiful and remote Ashley Lake, 9544 ft (2909 m).
In a heavy snow year, the snowfield reaches from the lake to the top of the ridge even in summer time. This year there was less snow, and we will have to do some scrambling over rocks both at the bottom end, and at the top.
At the beautiful and remote Ashley Lake, 9544 ft (2909 m).
In a heavy snow year, the snowfield reaches from the lake to the top of the ridge even in summer time. This year there was less snow, and we will have to do some scrambling over rocks both at the bottom end, and at the top.
11:10 am
Half a way point on the snow field. It is getting steeper, and it is time to put the crampons on.
Half a way point on the snow field. It is getting steeper, and it is time to put the crampons on.
11:55 am
Yuck! The exit from a partially frozen snow to the ridge doesn't look very attractive.
Yuck! The exit from a partially frozen snow to the ridge doesn't look very attractive.
12:15 pm
We had to negotiate some sixty feet of steep, wet, slippery, rotten rock at the apex of the snowfield. Ashley Lake is way below.
We had to negotiate some sixty feet of steep, wet, slippery, rotten rock at the apex of the snowfield. Ashley Lake is way below.
12:17 pm
Once at the ridge, we see the top ahead of us. A traverse over solid talus, following the southern ridge of the mountain, is enjoyable, with great views towards Yosemite (northwest), Silver Divide (southeast), and Mammoth region (east).
Once at the ridge, we see the top ahead of us. A traverse over solid talus, following the southern ridge of the mountain, is enjoyable, with great views towards Yosemite (northwest), Silver Divide (southeast), and Mammoth region (east).
12:25 pm
An unnamed frozen lake, nested on a tiny terrace just below the summit of Iron Mountain. Mount Ritter to the north is towering above the Ritter Range and Minarets.
An unnamed frozen lake, nested on a tiny terrace just below the summit of Iron Mountain. Mount Ritter to the north is towering above the Ritter Range and Minarets.
1:00 pm
Always fun to read notes in summit registers. The ammo box and SPS register were brought here in September of 1996, by Beth Epstein. Not too many people had signed up in the last twelve years, and the register is not even half full. Somebody was here a day before, coming via a different route. In fact, I didn't find anybody mentioning the snowfield above Ashley as their ascent route recently, but I didn't check the notes very carefully.
Always fun to read notes in summit registers. The ammo box and SPS register were brought here in September of 1996, by Beth Epstein. Not too many people had signed up in the last twelve years, and the register is not even half full. Somebody was here a day before, coming via a different route. In fact, I didn't find anybody mentioning the snowfield above Ashley as their ascent route recently, but I didn't check the notes very carefully.
1:45 pm
Descending the opposite (southwest) side of the mountain. Alpine meadows are green and bursting with flowers. But water will soon disappear on the sunny slopes and the short blooming season will be over.
Descending the opposite (southwest) side of the mountain. Alpine meadows are green and bursting with flowers. But water will soon disappear on the sunny slopes and the short blooming season will be over.
4:00 pm
Two oldtimers.
We stayed at about 9500 feet, and circled the mountain back towards its eastern slopes. No trail, but it is easy to follow the contour at the edge of timberline. Once we reached a ridge right above Fern Lake, we followed the ridge to the east, and shortly hit the trail coming from Clover Meadow at the Granite Stairway pass. A few minutes after 7 pm, we were back at Devils Postpile parking lot. Long and enjoyable day!
Two oldtimers.
We stayed at about 9500 feet, and circled the mountain back towards its eastern slopes. No trail, but it is easy to follow the contour at the edge of timberline. Once we reached a ridge right above Fern Lake, we followed the ridge to the east, and shortly hit the trail coming from Clover Meadow at the Granite Stairway pass. A few minutes after 7 pm, we were back at Devils Postpile parking lot. Long and enjoyable day!