"Got tight last night on absinthe and did knife tricks. Great success shooting the knife into the piano. The woodworms are so bad and eat hell out of all furniture that you can always claim the woodworms did it."
--Ernest Hemingway
© 2006-2025 SummitPost.org. All Rights Reserved.
annerk - Jul 14, 2019 9:50 am Date Climbed: Jul 13, 2019
loved itWas planning on doing Cache, but once I scrambled up to the saddle I thought Independence looked more fun. Didn't want to go down the same way I came up, so I followed the north ridge-- eventually making my way back to the main trail a mile or so below the first lake. Looping from my campsite at the 2nd lake, it took about 3 hours.
Super Dave - Jun 15, 2018 7:04 pm Date Climbed: Jun 9, 2018
After CacheClimbed Independence after Cache, from the west side. Pretty area, great views of the lakes below. Trip Report
mtybumpo - Sep 8, 2015 1:10 am Date Climbed: Sep 7, 2015
With CacheMuch more accessible than I thought. Did Cache and Independence from the West in under 4 hours. Great view!
scgrant - Aug 11, 2014 11:27 pm Date Climbed: Aug 1, 2014
Mount IndependenceNice hike, along with Cache Peak.
calebEOC - Jun 25, 2012 11:47 am Date Climbed: Jun 23, 2012
Across from CacheEasy ridge traverse from Cache. Followed the ridge back to the trail rather than dropping back down into the lakes basin.
DarrenKnezek - Jun 21, 2012 1:19 am Date Climbed: Jun 17, 2012
Nice views and pretty white granite/quartz.Did this after Cache.
Mlasky - Aug 13, 2011 5:13 pm Date Climbed: Aug 30, 2009
Two-fer SundayExcellent combination with Cache. Nice views of the lakes.
mdetemple - Aug 14, 2010 7:05 pm Date Climbed: Aug 14, 2010
nice hikehiked to the independence lakes and decided to take a shortcut over the peak back to car. had a great time.
toddschwarz - Sep 2, 2009 11:20 pm Date Climbed: Aug 31, 2009
Two-fer Sunday: Independence and CacheThis is a nice morning or afternoon (but beware of thunderstorms). The brush is a little dense here and there, but the south ridge of Independence over the white quartz blocks is great fun! Stay to the east (basin side) of the ridge for the least vegetation and easiest hiking.
Arctic3 - Jul 13, 2009 11:15 pm Date Climbed: Jul 13, 2009
Climb with My DaughterMy 13 year old daughter and I came in from the lake trail, hiked to the far end of the lakes, scrambled up to the ridge and then followed the ridge to Independence summit. On the descent, we headed north down other side. At the bottom we followed a boulder field with a hidden stream back east to the trailhead.
Kadee - Nov 12, 2008 12:16 pm Date Climbed: Aug 10, 2008
South RidgeDid this one before Cache. I liked the hike better for Independence than Cache, but both were nice hikes.
boisedoc - Aug 18, 2008 1:14 am Date Climbed: Aug 17, 2008
great weathernice view of Independence Lakes. Impressive quartz blocks along the summit ridge
mountaingazelle - Jul 10, 2006 4:00 am Date Climbed: Jul 9, 2006
Up South Ridge, Down Northeast RidgeAfter climbing Cache Peak I went back down to the saddle and followed the south ridge up to Mount Independence. There were still some snow cornices on the ridge. Then I followed the northeast ridge and descended back down to the first Independence Lake.
punk_rocker333 - May 1, 2005 8:48 pm
Route Climbed: South ridge Date Climbed: October 2004Did this one with Cache Peak. A good hike.
rpc - Aug 26, 2003 12:12 pm
Route Climbed: South Ridge (Independence Lakes) Date Climbed: June 1, 2002Climbed this pretty little peak with my wife and our dog. A great quick outing with stunning alpine scenery. Can be easily combined with bagging Cache Peak next door (which we didn't do).