http://www.montanaescapades.com/2014/04/sweeney-peak-revisit-is-required.html
Sweeney Peak - A revisit is required!
Distance: ~9.5mi
Vertical: ~4,500ft
I was nearly left going solo, until Joe told me his meeting was moved to 6pm, enough time to work with! We set out for Sweeney Peak and found ourselves basking in a gorgeous Montana day, and this time I remembered, or rather Joe reminded me, to apply sunscreen. Due to a snafu at the start involving what may or may-not include misjudging the amount of snow, led to a extra little 3/4-1mile hike to the trailhead. In conjunction with that, the time limit, and another small issue, we opted to just hit the summit and take a treed run down, thus bypassing the two NE bowls. (I would say 3, but the one off of the summit is straight wind-spanked to a high degree. )
All is well though, like I said before, I'm finding about 80% of my enjoyment from traipsing around anyway, and Sweeney Peak summit served to provide some outstanding views. Word of advice though; if you have split-boarders in your group take the 45minutes and skin back up to the top of the knob just before the first bowl, otherwise you are in for a long-long side hill experience that is atrocious on a split-boarder I found. :)
Left the skis near the top of the second NE bowl, and began a rock/snow hike along the quarter-mile spine to the true summit.
Vertical: ~4,500ft
The last little bit to the summit.
I was nearly left going solo, until Joe told me his meeting was moved to 6pm, enough time to work with! We set out for Sweeney Peak and found ourselves basking in a gorgeous Montana day, and this time I remembered, or rather Joe reminded me, to apply sunscreen. Due to a snafu at the start involving what may or may-not include misjudging the amount of snow, led to a extra little 3/4-1mile hike to the trailhead. In conjunction with that, the time limit, and another small issue, we opted to just hit the summit and take a treed run down, thus bypassing the two NE bowls. (I would say 3, but the one off of the summit is straight wind-spanked to a high degree. )
All is well though, like I said before, I'm finding about 80% of my enjoyment from traipsing around anyway, and Sweeney Peak summit served to provide some outstanding views. Word of advice though; if you have split-boarders in your group take the 45minutes and skin back up to the top of the knob just before the first bowl, otherwise you are in for a long-long side hill experience that is atrocious on a split-boarder I found. :)
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| First bowl says hello. |
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| Working around the first NE bowl |
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| On top of first bowl. |
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| Second NE bowl. |
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| St. Joe peaks looking dapper. |
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| Nearing the top of second NE bowl/ false summit. |
Left the skis near the top of the second NE bowl, and began a rock/snow hike along the quarter-mile spine to the true summit.
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| A destroyed third bowl. |
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| Looking SW from summit w/ Pyramid Buttes slightly right. |
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| Looking NW at Lolo Peak proper and false summits - Could see all three lakes back here. |
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| Looking directly West from Sweeney Peak |
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| SW view |
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| South view again at the St. Joe Peaks. |
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| Joe coming up along the spine. |
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| Route |
Probably let the snow melt out a bit from the road which was very spotty/impassible in places, and bare in others. Can't wait to revisit the two lower NE bowls later this spring!
Thanks for looking!
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