Sphinx Col/Trail Camping

[giggy]

Hi all - planning a 2 day/1 night presidential traverse soon and if weather cooperates, planning to spend the night at the "campsite" that is down from sphinx col via the sphinx trail. Besides knowing that one exists, curoius if anyone know more about this potential site. How big is it? - we will probably have 3 tents - This past weekend I took a look down and there appears to be a "fairly level" spot that looks to be excatly where the chauvin guide refers to. It looks like it will hold a few tents. but - I was probably half mile away looking at it!

just wondering if anyone has firsthand exp with this site. - any other suggestions welcome as well. I don't think there will be much potential after this until lakes at least.

thanks much.

 

[DougPaul]

I spent a night there when I did a winter prezzie traverse many moons ago...

It is a sizable open spot. Not much protection from wind. You will need sufficient snow to camp there--it is presumably tundra underneath.

We used ice screws to hold the tent down. We had a gentle breeze, but it could get exciting if the conditions get bad.

Doug

 

[giggy]

yes - snow might be an issue - I heard there was even more melt over the last couple of days - our date is weekend of 12/10 - so hopefully it will work out weather-wise - if not - we have alternate plans. if weather is going to be really bad - it just won't be enjoyable.

thanks!!

 

[DougPaul]

yes - snow might be an issue

My comment about tundra was a hint that you will need sufficient snow to cover the presumed rocks and scrub. (I've never checked the site out when there was no snow.) And, of course, there is the legal requirement of 2ft or more of snow for above T-line camping.

Doug

 

[giggy]

yep - I know exactly what you meant about the "tundra"

2 weeks ago there was enough I think - not so sure now - got to monitor the snow amounts in the next couple of weeks.

- we will not be illegal camping.



thanks again.

 

[Hampshire]

Sphinx Col

Giggy,

I've spent three nights at Sphinx Col in the past. Once in a snowcave and twice in tents. The two times in tents we followed the Sphinx Col trail down a few hundred yards and found level ground on either side of the trail. This is a great winter camping spot, with great views in the morning. Here is a link to a picture from last year. Hope this helps.

http://community.webshots.com/photo/476570000/505457095dWftIx

 

[giggy]

thanks hampshire and doug for this great info -

traverse crew (and you know who you are) - take a look at your campsite (hopefully snow will cooperate)

 

[blownaway]

Great question....I have unsuccessfully looked for this site in the past....Darkness was approaching extremely fast and it started to snow. I ended up pitching my tent, slanted, on the east side of Jefferson. Spent an unpleasant night propped up with my pack, boots, etc....to keep from rolling into my buddy.

I have checked out the site over the Summer but things sure appear different when the snow accumulates making it hard to spot for some of us.

This is a "risky" site during a traverse and if it can be avoided you should do so. Chauvin guides use it regularly but they do this stuff for a living. As pointed out earlier....it can get interesting if the wind picks up.

Just looking at the site in pictures is one thing....but you will start to feel the pucker factor if the weather gets testy.....

Just not the ideal site to shoot for....most choose gray knob and get an early start (no tent to take down etc.). Get over Washington by mid-day and things look good for edmonds or crawford....

hope to see some more chime in...pics were great!

 

[DougPaul]

Great question....I have unsuccessfully looked for this site in the past....Darkness was approaching extremely fast and it started to snow. I ended up pitching my tent, slanted, on the east side of Jefferson.

Just not the ideal site to shoot for....most choose gray knob and get an early start (no tent to take down etc.). Get over Washington by mid-day and things look good for edmonds or crawford....

When I used this site (during a S-N traverse), the area was one big snowfield with an icy surface. We used ice screws to anchor the tent. (Only had mild winds.)

The area is slightly protected because it is east of the ridgeline. Fully open to winds from other directions. Welcome to above timberline.

Doug

 

[giggy]

blown away - be interested in hearing more about that exp in not finding it. I know the area pretty well (not that that means anything in bad weather) and it appears that it should be a few 100 yardds down the sphinx - I am pretty sure I saw the spot when on the gulfside this past weekend and it looked pretty obvoius. but I won't play games in bad weather and the last thing I want is confusion at the end of a long tiring cold day - - very confidant in group going (experienced and strong in winter skills - but like getting as much beta as possible prior

I
is it possble you missed it becuase of low snow cover and all brush? just wondering

I think we have room for one more person - anyone interested??


thanks!!

 

[the starchild]

giggy,

when are y'all going up there for the overnighter??

 

[blownaway]

not finding Sphinx Col "camp site"

Many things contributed....Late AM start, too many breaks, slow ass hiking, got off the Gulfside trail going around Adams (rather than over) and lost some time there, darkness (gets dark aroung 4:30pm in January), snow started falling (making visibility even worse) around 4pm as well, AND poor navigation decisions below Jefferson...probably due to fatigue and being too lazy to pull out my map.

Camped in the Madison vicinity the prior night, climbed Madison in the AM and just got a late start overall. Lost some time going around Adams as noted above.

After crossing the snowfield just after Edmonds Col I came to the sign on the Gulfside trail (below Jefferson). Still light, so I decided to climb Jefferson then go down the south side towards Sphinx ( the way I found the site during a Summer traverse). I felt confident I would spot the site by looking down from Jeff...about half way up, darkness and snow came in fast so we had to pitch. No wind issues so I felt safe, just pissed at myself. As we pitched the tent we both looked like crystal coated ghosts working in the darkness and hints of light from our headlamps....

My dumbness was trying to climb Jeff.....and not studying my map enough to know if I would have just stayed on the Gulfside trail I most likely would have ran into the "camp site." Just and example of those dumb decisions you make when your not as experienced as you think you are and fatigue comes into play. Hell, I should have just pitched the tent right there (close to the sign) there was no wind and I knew the forcast was not calling for hectic weather...but, nooo I had to get to the Col.....

Lots of lessons learned on that trip. Lots of mistakes, but if you never make mistakes you're not trying.....Although sometimes the Presi's don't give you a second chance....

hope this may help someone, or at least provide abit of entertainment...

 

[Lovetohike]

Thank you for sharing such an honest response, that I'm sure resonates with nearly all of us who, at least at some time or another, made not the best of decisions, due to any number of factors, and fortunately, luck or the conditions or whatever combined to let us off easy. Time and again, it has come up in posts how hard it can be at times to do what should be the obvious "wise" choice. Responses like yours help me to keep my priorities straight. Thank you.