Ascent of Cowhorn Mountain on 2018-07-07| Date: | Saturday, July 7, 2018 | | Ascent Type: | Successful Summit Attained | | Peak: | Cowhorn Mountain | | Location: | USA-Oregon | | Elevation: | 7664 ft / 2335 m |
Ascent Trip ReportFrom Sawtooth, headed back down & across to Windy Pass again. From the jct there, the 3643 Sawtooth Trail bends around the ridge dropping back down into the comparatively viewless forest, then doubles back to run NE toward to a short connector trail uphill to the PCT - the sign for that reads 0.2. Probably another 1/4 ml. to the crest of the PCT and another well beat trail east up the ridge. Class 2 all the way to the summit block then some easy Class 3 the last few feet to the summit. No wonder the old "cowhorn" fell off a century ago - the top of the summit is all slabs on end. Not unstable at the moment, but understandable how a tower of the stuff might not have had a lot of stability.
Could no longer see anything south of Crater Lake by the time I reached the summit (smoke from the Klamathon fire blowing across southern Oregon) but great views closer in and could clearly see - and for a few seconds barely hear - boats on Summit Lake.
Mosquitos were bad this early in the shade of the forest, but escaped them once back up on the ridge lines. Unfortunately, had to run the mosquito gauntlet back to the lake and then the last bit around the west end of the lake to the truck, in an endless cycle of reapplying bug spray and then sweating it off. The jct for the return trail back down to Timpanogas Lake is a good 200-250 yards past (NW of) what is indicated on the old USGS map at the next pond, but all the trails were well maintained and clear of any obstructions. A few weeks later, I might have explored the lakes near that junction, but had it with the skeeters by then and just racing for the car. (Mileage includes ascent of Sawtooth Peak en route, just under 7 hrs including time spent on summits) |
From the PCT-Cowhorn Traverse Trail (#3641) junction (7000') (2018-07-07). Photo by Steve Fountain.
Click here for larger-size photo. | | Summary Total Data | | Total Elevation Gain: | 1663 ft / 506 m | | Total Elevation Loss: | 3644 ft / 1110 m | | Round-Trip Distance: | 8.9 mi / 14.3 km | | Route Conditions: | Maintained Trail, Unmaintained Trail, Scramble | | Ascent Statistics | | Gain on way in: | 1663 ft / 506 m | | Gain Breakdown: | Net: 363 ft / 110 m; Extra: 1300 ft / 396m | | Loss on way in: | 1300 ft / 396 m | | Distance: | 4.1 mi / 6.6 km | | Start Trailhead: | Sawtooth 7301 ft / 2225 m | | Descent Statistics | | Loss on way out: | 2344 ft / 714 m | | Distance: | 4.8 mi / 7.7 km | | Route: | TR 3643 & 3642 Timpanogas Lake | | End Trailhead: | Timpanogas TH 5320 ft / 1621 m | Ascent Part of Trip: Sawtooth Traverse
Complete Trip Sequence:
Total Trip Gain: 3904 ft / 1190 m Total Trip Loss: 3904 ft / 1190 m |
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