WELLS PEAK (10,833') CLASS 1
Location: 5.5 miles NE of Sonora Pass
ROUTE A
Drive: Same as White Mountain, Route A, Drive.
Climb: See White Mountain, Route A, Climb. From the point about
2 miles from the start, one continues and climbs right on the
faint trail up the small hillside from where White Mountain is
visible. One can now climb cross-country directly and steeply
up open slopes to the right (northeast) to connect with the summit
ridge, with any number of variations.
Otherwise, the trail climbs up northwest to the pass, which is
apparent from below, that leads to Silver King Creek canyon. Whitecliff
Peak can be done from this trail. A sign, "Carson-Iceberg
Wilderness" marks this pass. Head cross-country right (northeast)
straight up along the ridge to the rocky outcrops, then turn right
(southeast) along the sagey, then rocky, slopes, heading for the
peak, now visible to the southeast. Pass the first, sharper, false
summit on its left. Drop some 30 feet elevation across a rocky
plateau, then head for the broad, rocky, gently sloped highpoint.
The true highpoint is the first one reached from the pass. A lower
summit a hundred feet to the southeast, marked by a blank sign,
provides a good view of the slopes to the south.
For a quicker, cross-country return from the top, descend to
the first canyon to the east. After climbing down class 2 rubble
off the summit proper, connect with sandy, open slopes that lead
south past the right (west) side of some granite pinnacles. A
few faint animal tracks can be followed for short distances. Continue
dropping down, staying to the right and heading south/southsoutheast
through Lodgepole pine forests. If navigation is good, one will
eventually come to open, sagey slopes, and a narrow, rocky gully.
Continue cross-country down and south. One should come to the
cabin or the Silver Creek Meadows to turn left (east) and arrive
in minutes to the signed trailhead.
WINTER SKI ASCENT: See White Mountain, Winter Ski Ascent.
TRIP STATS: Route A, 2,200 feet gain, 5 miles one way; the short descent, 1.8 miles one way.
Notes: See also White Mountain,
Notes.
The descent route described in Wells Peak, Route A, Climb, can
just as well be used as an ascent route. One climbs directly north
up a steep, sagey hillside from the cabin near the trailhead.
The peak is not visible from most of this route. Any number of
variations can certainly be taken. If navigation is good, the
peak will be a sharp hump to the left, with class 2 rubble to
climb up its last hundred feet.
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