Scrambling on Boundary Peak

The Climb

Climbed Boundary using the Queen Mine route on a beatiful August day. As they, say the turn-off of route 6 is easy to find--right across from Janie's Ranch about 1 mile west of the green "Boundary Peak" sign on route 6. Drove the 6 easy miles to Queen Mine, then the extra mile on the jeep path to the Kennedy Point saddle to camp for the night. Beautiful sunset and a dead calm 75 degrees at 9 pm.

Awoke to a chilly 43 degrees and an awesome sunrise. Said "hello" to a pair from Idaho who had parked below the Queen mine and had climbed Mt Whitney the day before. On the trial at 6:15am. Made the Trial Canyon saddle in 1-1/2 hrs. Not long after leaving Trail Canyon saddle, we found ourselves off the trial and scrambling up the scree below the 1st false summitt. After about 45 minutes of tiring scrambling, found the trail again and continued on the west side of the false summitt.

It's a nice hike along the ridge after the false summitt. It's fairly level until you come to a large out-cropping. I went to the left, Darryl went to the right and we continued up along the ridge to the summitt.

Made the summitt after 4 hrs. Unbelievable views all around; I don't know why some people pan Boundary Peak.

What I'd do Different

If you're flying to do Boundary, you may want to fly to either Reno or LA. It's a 5 hour trip from Vegas at 90 mph and pretty boring.

I don't know why there is even a debate about Trail Canyon vs. Queen Mine. Queen Mine is easier to find, a shorter distance from the paved road, and the trail to Trail Canyon saddle is better. (If you can get your hands on a 4x4, do it, 'cause you can cut 1000' of elevation and a mile of trail to camp at picturesque Kennedy Point saddle.)

Queen Mine trail to TC saddle is on a ridge top with great views the whole way. And the trail itself is easy walking--imagine being able to hike at full speed without needing to look down at your feet! And when you're hiking in chilly weather, it's nice to have the sun on you the first thing in the morning.

I hiked the whole thing in tennis shoes, by the way, and had no problem with it. Even after scrambling in the scree, I didn't have a problem with rocks in my shoes.

When you leave TC saddle on your way up, don't be tempted to go low and right. The trail peters out and you'll find yourself scrambling and route-finding soon. Stay left and high and you'll stay on the trail and have better footing.

This is my 24th high point and one of my most memorable. The views and solitude (only six of us on the mountain the whole time) are unmatched in my experience.