Today we snowshoed the Commonwealth Basin Trail to Lundin Peak (did not summit). Parked on NFD Road58 and headed up at 9am.
Trail was dry packed powder with easy creek crossings. We booted to about 3700ft then put our snowshoes on. Epic powder day with about 8-10 inches of new snow. Beautiful views of Guye Peak, Kendall Peak, Red Mountain and finally Lundin Peak (shrouded by clouds). There's avalanche danger on this route, particularly the approach to Lundin. We climbed to 5280ft then found a safe place for lunch. Clouds rolled in and out, an almost perfect late January day.
On the way back, about 1mi from the trailhead it was a bit of a mess. Dozens of skiers came off the mountain and were bombing through the trees. Forced into a narrow route by the terrain, we almost got hit. The powder was so soft it was hard to hear them coming fast from behind.
Comments
Bobman on Lundin Peak, Commonwealth Basin Snowshoe
Egad, am I jealous of that weather. I'm curious about your route. Did you spend ANY time on the PCT? I typically prefer the old CB trail through the woods to get to Kendall, Red, and Lundin's false summit, leaving the PCT for a gravelly left hand turn about 200 feet into the trail. But during summer at some point you have to ascend almost to the PCT in order to skirt around the base of Red (NNE direction) before ascending. Your photos make it look like you never bothered with that last bit--just charged straight toward Lundin due N or slightly NNW over or next to what are frozen ponds by now. That right?
Posted by:
Bobman on Jan 24, 2023 10:56 PM
twochewy on Lundin Peak, Commonwealth Basin Snowshoe
We took the Old Commonwealth Basin Trail. After the creek crossings we paralleled just west of old CB heading due north. Last time we summited Red the approach up the west spine was steep and forested. After studying CalTopo we figured the creek and ponds would be frozen over (they were). So, like you said we didn't bother with that last bit. It's a great winter approach in the open with good views.
Posted by:
twochewy on Jan 25, 2023 10:06 AM
Bobman on Lundin Peak, Commonwealth Basin Snowshoe
Thanks! Work is light, so next clear day I'm there. Already put the big baskets on my trekking poles.
Posted by:
Bobman on Jan 25, 2023 02:59 PM
twochewy on Lundin Peak, Commonwealth Basin Snowshoe
Once you get out in the open, you reach a gully that might seem impassable at first. Just skirt up around it (climber's right) and before long you'll arrive at photo #2.
Posted by:
twochewy on Jan 25, 2023 06:37 PM