On the summit of “Hail Peak” (12,904 ft), Gore Range.
Earlier this fall Brian, Steve and I set off from the Gore Creek Campground and hiked “Hail Peak”. It was a sweet day out, and was one of the last summer-esque days before the area received it’s first real snowfall.
“Hail Peak” is a high point along the ridge line connecting Mt. Valhalla and Mt. Silverthorne just northeast of Snow Lake. It’s a reclusive peak and one that doesn’t see very many ascents on an annual basis. The only reasonable route to the top is via the peak’s southeast slopes, though I know at least one party that’s run the connecting ridge over to Mt. Valhalla.
A nice looking tower seen on the approach.
The approach from Gore Creek TH takes the long trail up the drainage to the Recen Brother’s gravesite, then up the trail to Gore Lake. From there, you have to split off the trail and hike up through the open meadows towards Snow Lake. Eventually you’ll be standing right at the base of “Hail Peak” with nothing but a few thousand feet of boulder hopping between you and the summit.
We stopped off at Gore Lake to eat lunch in the sun.
“Hail Peak” up above. We ascended up the looker’s left side of the prominent gully running down the middle of the peak, then leaded left to the summit.
Slowly but surely we made our way up the slope, with lots of talus and boulder hopping and not much of a reprieve. The occasional loose rock kept us on our toes.
The summit getting closer.
Steve again. That’s Mt. Silverthorne in back.
We hit the summit and took a long break to admire the surrounding views and name as many peaks as we could. It never ceases to amaze me how complex the Gore Range is and how different things can look depending on which summit you’re on.
Grand Traverse Peak and Valhalla to the northwest.
And Mt. Silverthorne again, which looks huge from this vantage point.
After we had our fill, it was back on down the peak. Thankfully we all made it without dislodging anything of significance. The hike back down to the car seemed to go on forever, but eventually we hit pavement. Then it was beer and sandals, followed by Local Joe’s Pizza where we caught the 4th quarter of Broncos/Giants and one of the more amazing comeback wins you’ll ever see in a football game. It was a fun endcap to a great day in the hills.
A parting shot of Snow Lake with Snow Peak above.
Cheers to fall.
The party you know they go to Valhalla are probably Brandon &Co from 7Summits. Hi mentioned they see old cairn on rotten tower they climb in summer 2018. I climbed this ridge solo. First time at 08/16/2016 as part of 2 days of my first summer trip on Main Gore Ridge. I build these cairns, No previous signs of climbing this part of ridge.
On my second visit of Hail Pk , March 12/2017 because night approach, I take W-SW couloir and bivi just east of south couloir of Sleet/Messy Pinnacles (as I called these rotten towers). This was my 4/5 days on my winter solo 8 days traverse from Vail Pass to West Partner Pk.
Since then, I climbed Hail Pk more two times, completing seasonal grid as part of seasonal grids of all ranked peaks at Eagle Nest Wilderness. You can find all my ascents at LoJ