9/1 - Day 1: McKee Draw to East Park Reservoir (4.48 miles, +1150' / -340')
9/2 - Day 2: East Park Reservoir to Manila Park (7.94 miles, +1385' / -539')
9/3 - Day 3: Manila Park to Leidy Peak TH (14.05 miles, +2420' / -1244')
9/4 - Day 4: Leidy Peak TH to Sharlee Lake (14.13 miles, +2122' / -2450')
9/5 - Day 5: Sharlee Lake to Painter Basin (19.2 miles, +3186' / -2775')
9/6 - Day 6: Painter Basin to Paradise Lake (17.65 miles, +3291' / -3285')
9/7 - Day 7: Paradise Lake to Ledge Lake (11.96 miles, +2804' / -3110')
9/8 - Day 8: Ledge Lake to Hayden Pass TH (14.49 miles, +2657' / -3138')
Day 4: Leidy Peak/Highline TH to Sharlee Lake
(14.13 miles, +2122' / -2450')
The storm ramped up again at 5:00 AM and by 7:00, the thunder was in full swing. These strikes sounded far closer, and far louder. Soon the thunderous rain transitioned to pea-sized hail, then to snow, which for the most part, failed to stick.
I ordered a Deluxe Forecast on my InReach, which estimated a storm till 1:00 PM. As I looked out my tent at 8:45 AM, I saw blue in the horizon and called for us to get hiking. We broke camp and hit the dirt by 9:00 AM, opting for the northern route around Mt. Leidy. The other group of 3 UHT’ers broke camp at the same time and took the southern route. Despite the weather, light drizzle and 15mph winds, spirits were high. The storm left a dusting of snow and the trail finally began to feel like a ‘highline.’
Cromwell’s tent held up through the storm.
As we climbed higher towards Mt. Leidy, the drizzle turned to snow and the winds grew heavier. Before long we were in low-visibility conditions as we walked in the clouds. We stopped to put our Sawyer filters in our pockets, put on extra layers, and to remind everyone: stay close, communicate if you’re feeling too cold, and hike fast. My layers performed excellently. My KUIU Peloton 97 insulated while the Versalite kept me dry and blocked the wind. I looked down to see my Patagonia pants’ DWR beading off the melted snow. Everyone was good, minus cold fingers.
Navigation became more difficult as visibility plummeted: the cairns couldn’t be seen and the trail was covered in snow. We used our sense of the contours, plus occasional GPS to check our work, to get us to the base of Gabbro/Lake Wilde.
Don’t forget to hydrate.
Looking up at Gabbro Pass, we noted the huge snow field blocking the typical switchback to the top. We waited for the snow to stop, and at 12:00 PM, began our ascent. As we neared the snowfield, it was obvious that the only choice would be to down climb it or scramble over the top. We were prepared to down climb, as we noted a solo pair of footsteps in the snow doing just that. By this time, the other group of 3 hikers caught up to us and decided to scramble over. Watching them climb, we determined we had the capability to follow their lines.
Julian and Barney scrambling over the snowfield. I think it was firmly a Class 3 scramble, but Class 4 moves may be required if you choose the wrong line.
The view from the top of Gabbro Pass, Lake Wilde pictured center. Mt. Leidy is obscured by the clouds.
We followed cairns and descended down to Deadman Lake in high spirits. Gathered there were all the UHT’ers who had just walked through the storm: our group of 4, the group of 3 we followed over Gabbro, a duo, and the solo hiker we were leapfrogging the day before. Minus the solo hiker, we’d see each group only one more time, as we overtook them, then not at all.
Looking back to the pass we just descended from.
The climb out of Deadman Lake.
The hike past Whiterocks was pleasant and our feet welcomed the soft plushy dirt. As we left the lake, the dirt turned to mud, then to marsh. The meadows were inundated with water and it was impossible to keep our socks dry, even as the clouds lifted to create a hot 70+ degree day. We pushed on past Chepeta; past the pit toilet and a hunting party making camp, finally making it to Sharlee Lake at sunset.
Chepeta Lake seemed like a great trailhead. The well maintained gravel road must be accessible by low clearance 2WD vehicles because we saw a Dodge Caravan unloading camping gear when we got there. Should be a nice spot for a resupply or rendezvous with a friend if they’re willing to make the drive.
Hiking with minimal trail and hopping (literally, to avoid ankle deep puddles) from cairn to cairn was typical.
The beautiful valley Chepeta Lake was in.
Sharlee Lake at sunset.