Ed'n Lauky
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 15, 2007
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The snow is deep. Almost from the beginning you run into duck unders. Even lower down there are a couple of crawl unders.
With all of that the Jackson trail is not difficult up to about 3600--3700 feet. At the point where you can see Jackson off to the left and where the trail swings left the hike gets interesting.
There are numerous false trails that go off to the right from the real trail. Some of them quite long, I know I followed one up onto a plateau and wandered around for some time before coming to a dead end. Actually from where the false trail stopped it looked to me like it might be a good approach but I had no interest in breaking out a new trail.
Once back on the trail the real difficulties began. As the trail swings right to head up Jackson there is a long stretch where you have no choice but to---crawl. Finally you come to the tree line.
The trail that works its way up the ledges is no longer there. You have to go straight up the side of Jackson which is very steep and the snow is unconsolidated. For a good portion I was flat out on my stomach climbing and sliding back. As we neared the summit I was finally able to get to my feet. The return trip over that section was one big butt slide.
The views were very good on top, but the wind was strong and cold so we didn't linger long. After crossing over the top we headed back down.
Lauky, I should mention, had no trouble going up the side of Jackson and was quite frustrated with my slow progress. But once I finally got to my feet he settled down and was his cheerful self again.
In the morning I would have described the tail up to the final section as well consolidated. On the way back down, because of all the barebooters going up and the softening snow I would describe it as chopped up.
Because of the difficulties of the final section, I would scratch this one from the easier 4000 category for the time being.
[email protected]
With all of that the Jackson trail is not difficult up to about 3600--3700 feet. At the point where you can see Jackson off to the left and where the trail swings left the hike gets interesting.
There are numerous false trails that go off to the right from the real trail. Some of them quite long, I know I followed one up onto a plateau and wandered around for some time before coming to a dead end. Actually from where the false trail stopped it looked to me like it might be a good approach but I had no interest in breaking out a new trail.
Once back on the trail the real difficulties began. As the trail swings right to head up Jackson there is a long stretch where you have no choice but to---crawl. Finally you come to the tree line.
The trail that works its way up the ledges is no longer there. You have to go straight up the side of Jackson which is very steep and the snow is unconsolidated. For a good portion I was flat out on my stomach climbing and sliding back. As we neared the summit I was finally able to get to my feet. The return trip over that section was one big butt slide.
The views were very good on top, but the wind was strong and cold so we didn't linger long. After crossing over the top we headed back down.
Lauky, I should mention, had no trouble going up the side of Jackson and was quite frustrated with my slow progress. But once I finally got to my feet he settled down and was his cheerful self again.
In the morning I would have described the tail up to the final section as well consolidated. On the way back down, because of all the barebooters going up and the softening snow I would describe it as chopped up.
Because of the difficulties of the final section, I would scratch this one from the easier 4000 category for the time being.
[email protected]
