Christmas Meadows/Stillwater Fork

Christmas Meadows/Stillwater Fork

Page Type Page Type: Route
Location Lat/Lon: 40.73000°N / 110.782°W
Additional Information Route Type: Scramble
Additional Information Time Required: A few days
Additional Information Difficulty: Class 3
Sign the Climber's Log

Approach

This road to the trailhead leaves from Highway 150. The Christmas Meadows (gravel) Road leaves Highway 150 and heads SE from about .7 miles south of the Bear River Visitor Center and right at milepost 46. Follow the gravel road to the trailhead.

Yellow + Green = Christmas...Route Map. Click for full size.



Route Description

This is the most difficult of the three routes to Spread Eagle Peak because of steep and loose rock. From the trailhead at 8800 feet elevation, follow the trail south up Stillwater Fork. The trail is heavily used and is at a gentle grade until reaching a junction after 2.6 miles. Turn right (straight) and follow the Stillwater Fork Trail. After another 2.0 miles, there is another junction. Stay left and along Stillwater Fork. The trail to the right heads west to Kermshuh Lake.

Easiest variation: In just under 2 miles, the trail heads sharply west and crosses the creek (Stillwater Fork). Don't cross the creek; you will leave the trail here. There are several campsites in the area for a basecamp. The easiest route to Spread Eagle is to head cross-country to the southeast and to the col mentioned on the Naturalist Basin Route Page.

Shorter Variation: From the Kershuh Lake Junction (see above), continue on the Stillwater Fork Trail for another mile. The northwest ridge of Spread Eagle is visible for much of the way. Leave the trail and conquer the Nothwest ridge directly. The route is rugged and class 3. There is much boulder-hopping and some loose rock along the way.

The round trip distance is 22.4 miles and usually takes 2-3 days.

Spread Eagle Peak viewed from...Spread Eagle Peak viewed from the summit of A-1 Peak.

Essential Gear

A good pair of boots is needed.



Parents 

Parents

Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. For example, theAconcagua mountain page has the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits' asparents and is a parent itself to many routes, photos, and Trip Reports.