Mostly a hike with short sections of interesting scrambling
We left the Halfmoon Creek Trail about 1 1/4 miles from the 4WD trailhead, crossed the creek, and gained the northeast ridge of "K 49" from the north via steep, loose, unpleasant slopes.The terrain got more solid as we neared the ridge proper (as shown in this shot).
When steep slopes gave way to the ridge crest we found beautifully banded rock.
Dominic leads the way as the ridge gets scrambly.
Sections of the ridge are sharp and formed by a huge uplifted slab. The exposure is noticeable at times.
The sharp ridge makes for a nice handrail. The summit of "K 49" is dead ahead.
Sometimes we traversed just below the crest on the
south side. At one point we climbed down 20 or 30 feet to get around an
intimidating gendarme.
The ridge is 4th class and quite interesting in places; unfortunately the excitement is short lived, maybe a quarter mile or so.
Dominic scrambles up a steep but easy step in the ridge.
Looking up at Dominic as I follow him up the step in the ridge.
Deer Mountain is next on the agenda
Approaching Deer Mountain's south ridge... mostly a hike with a few very brief stints of loose 3rd class scrambling.
Dominic scrambles up Deer Mountain's south ridge.
Dominic descends Deer Mountain's loose northeast ridge.
Dominic descends Deer Mountain's northeast ridge.