Did a 2 night backpack, with intent to do both Maude and 7FJ, but only made Maude. Multiple stream/creek crossings up to the turn off for Leroy Creek, we packed sandals and switched a few times into them. Trail to Leroy Basin, is short and steep, a few small downed trees but easy enough to maneuver around. Campsites at the basin were melted out, newer pit toilet available. Lots of running water at camp, so don't need to worry about packing it in.
Intermittent snow up to Freezer Pass, we put our crampons on a couple times to get up to the pass, there was one steep slope that felt a little sketch, but will likely be melted out soon. Solid snow once you get to Freezer Pass and then up to the ridge, again used crampons, although the snow was getting pretty soft. From the ridge to summit was snow free.
Overall, we felt like we underestimated this hike, we were worked! This was a fun adventure with lots of variety. Saw several parties going up 7FJ, we (ok, I), just didn't feel comfortable to attempt 7FJ based on how steep and exposed the upper snow fields looked from camp and how tired Maude made us.
Kudos to the gal and guy who did both 7FJ and Maude, C2C, beasts!!!!!
Comments
humongousryan on Mount Maude
Thanks for the report, I may be heading up there this weekend. Did you use an ice axe at all? And was the snow after Freezer Pass sketch at all or more of a slushy slog?
Posted by:
humongousryan on Jul 21, 2022 08:45 PM
HobieMaven on Mount Maude
It was a slushy slog, we only really needed our axes for one tiny steep snow traverse (which is probably melted now, we could also have just gone up steep scree and avoided that snow spot).
Posted by:
HobieMaven on Jul 21, 2022 08:49 PM