Split Mountain
14,045?

10/6/03

Distance RT: 12.65 miles (6.3 one-way)


Log:

08:38am - Left trailhead parking area
10:29am - Reached "the big tree"
10:55am - Reached the lower lake
11:30am - Reached Red Lake (spent 20 minutes or more talking with Gil)
01:25pm - Reached the top of the ridge above the moraine
01:45pm - Reached top ridge - dropped over to the backside
02:41pm - Reached the summit
02:55pm - Left summit
05:30pm - Reached Red Lake
06:50pm - Turned on flashlight
07:29pm - Returned to trailhead parking area

Stats:

Time from trailhead to summit: 6 hrs 3 mins
Time from summit back to trailhead (1 hour in dark): 4 hrs 34 mins

Notes:

First stream crossing is at 9100 feet
Second stream crossing at 9300 feet
The "big tree" is at 9360 feet with a camping spot next to it

Allow considerable driving time to reach the trailhead.  There are two
ways to reach the trailhead but both involve very rough road.  High
clearance is mandatory.  There road is filled with rocks.  You should
probably count on 90 minutes to the parking area from the time you leave
the Glacier Lodge road.

The dirt road between the Glacier Lodge road and McMurry Meadows is 
relatively smooth and in good condition.  It is only beyond McMurry
Meadows where things begin to deteriorate rapidly.