SarahThompson - Jun 14, 2009 8:57 pm Date Climbed: Jun 14, 2009
SW Couloirs (westernmost & central)
6/14/09 - Climbed the westernmost, most difficult of the three couloirs. The rock crux was in bad shape with sketchy snow. There were no protection opportunities before trying to pull the first few moves. Backed off and climbed the short workaround 5.2 rock pitch on the right side of the couloir. That worked very well and deposited us directly above the mess. The snow in the couloir was very hard making upward progress slow and labor intensive. This felt like one of the most serious snow climbs I've done but I don't know how much of that was due to conditions. It was sustained and steep the whole way - in the 50's. Great day! Somewhat of a surprise, but a good one.
6/7/14 - Walked the road and climbed the central couloir on the southwest face in perfect snow conditions w/ Ryan, Steph & Dom. Optional near vertical exit where cornice had broken off. Lake Isabelle area was shockingly empty, only saw party of two across the basin on Queensway!
What a great, scenic hike. This was the first mountain that I climbed in the Indain peaks (summer 2007)!
Mots010 - Oct 2, 2008 3:37 pm Date Climbed: Sep 28, 2008
Pawnee Pass Trail
Quick hike up Pawnee Pass. Scenic area, and trail was still dry.
GeorgeJames - Oct 1, 2008 2:18 am Date Climbed: Sep 21, 2008
Pawnee Pass
Out and back from the Brainard Lake Trailhead on an unusual weather day, that started gloomy and kept getting nicer. Neat little summit block, quite the view. Looking forward to returning to this area for more.
RMdaytripsgrl - Aug 20, 2008 3:06 pm Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2008
From Pawnee Pass
A spectacular mountain! A nice mellow climb from Long Lake TH.
Descent via skirting down east ridge looks pretty good, as Kane states - almost did it, but had a pulled hamstring and didn't feel up to the "unknown" of off-trail travel today. Next time. Might be a fun/easy ascent route from Isabelle lake in snow conditions. ????
Kruck - Jul 14, 2008 10:34 am Date Climbed: Jul 12, 2008
Great summit block
Scrambled over to this peak after hiking Pawnee Peak. My wife went down below to the tundra bench to photograph wildflowers. I loved the final summit pillar. Some of the most excellent views. For some reason, this mountain was one of my favorites in the area. Just had a great feeling standing up on top by myself, admiring the rugged IPW. Met a fellow on my way down who was headed for the summit to mark the 51st anniversary of his first mountain climb, which was Chief's Head. Admirable.
Chris - Jul 19, 2007 4:07 pm Date Climbed: Jul 16, 2007
Nice quick day
Did a quick trail run up from Long Lake to Shoshoni and back. About 1hr 45min up. Thunderstorms moving in, so bailed on my plan to traverse to Pawnee and Toll. Nice day to be out though. Great wildflowers!
Route Climbed: Northeast slopes Date Climbed: September 2005
This peak's tiny summit tower and scramble, combined with the sheer drops around it and AMAZING views of the surrounding peaks can trick you into thinking it was a better climb than it actually was. The pawnee pass trail route sucks (it's unnecessarily long). For distance/time's sake it's best to leave it on the big bench below the pass and to the east of Shoshoni. Just contour up the talus slopes and you'll save unnecessary ups-and-downs along the ridge from Pawnee Pass (while sacrificing some good views). I downclimbed a more direct route into the basin to the east, slightly to the north of the shrunken 'Moosehead' snowfield. The terrain was slightly loose talus but nothing too bad.
This peak would go best as a snow climb in early summer of the 'Moosehead' in my opinion, allowing you to observe conditions on Navajo Snowfield and Queen's Way couloir on Apache peak.
Route Climbed: Pawnee Pass Date Climbed: September 2004
Did this hike the next week after the awesome Audubon/Paiute loop. From Pawnee Pass I bypassed Shoshoni Summit and followed it's ridge (rim of Isabelle Glacier) about 1/2 mile to get an amazing view of the Apache massive. After the short and exciting sramble to the summit I decided to go for the loop and descend what I now know of as the East Ridge. Clear skies, surprisingly solitary, another beauty of the IPW.
Route Climbed: SW Couloir route Date Climbed: June 2002
Climbed Via the narrow mixed couloir. Bloody good route and not as bad as it looks. The lower rock portions is a low 5th class, w/ the traverse over to the snow being the stiffest part. have fun, the snow is great!
Route Climbed: Northeast Face Date Climbed: Early June, 1985
This climb was our "snow climb" as part of graduating from the CMC's Basic Mountaineering School. This also provides an alternate approach to the NE Face, although I believe we stayed more in the couloir east of the peak than the "Moosehead" snowfield as it is referred to on this site.
From the winter road closure near Red Rock Lake, we hiked up the road, past Brainard Lake and to the Pawnee Pass Trail. We followed this trail, mostly on snow, to Isabelle Lake, but rather than continuing on the trail to the east ridge, or Pawnee Pass, we followed the drainage above the lake for almost 1/2 mile, until at about 11,100'.
From here, we turned north (right) and ascended a moderately steep south-facing snowfield in a previously hidden couloir for 600' up to the level spot on the east ridge at 11,800'. From here, the NE Face provided several options, the most direct being a shallow snow-filled coulour leading just east of the summit tower. The final ascent was made from the north ridge to access the summit block.
Descent was made by following NE Face couloirs (glissades!!!) and then intersecting the Pawnee Pass Trail at 11,800'. More glissades were used to avoid switchbacks on the trail, the final one over a cornice(!) off the bench just below Lake Isabelle. This is huge fun if you like romping in the spring snow.
Route Climbed: Pawnee Pass Date Climbed: October 3, 2004
Another beautiful day in the IPW! For an "easy" summit hike, this one was hard earned. Jared hails a victory salute after a sketchy scramble to the summit block.
Route Climbed: Pawnee Pass Date Climbed: October 3, 2004
As iceclimber said, lots of snow east of the divide right now. I ran into them close to the top of the pass on their way down. Thanks again for the steps guys! Absolutely gorgeous day. It was 50 degrees and totally calm on the summit. Outstanding view of the Apache massif and Isabelle Glacier from the top of the summit block.
SarahThompson - Jun 14, 2009 8:57 pm Date Climbed: Jun 14, 2009
SW Couloirs (westernmost & central)6/14/09 - Climbed the westernmost, most difficult of the three couloirs. The rock crux was in bad shape with sketchy snow. There were no protection opportunities before trying to pull the first few moves. Backed off and climbed the short workaround 5.2 rock pitch on the right side of the couloir. That worked very well and deposited us directly above the mess. The snow in the couloir was very hard making upward progress slow and labor intensive. This felt like one of the most serious snow climbs I've done but I don't know how much of that was due to conditions. It was sustained and steep the whole way - in the 50's. Great day! Somewhat of a surprise, but a good one.
6/7/14 - Walked the road and climbed the central couloir on the southwest face in perfect snow conditions w/ Ryan, Steph & Dom. Optional near vertical exit where cornice had broken off. Lake Isabelle area was shockingly empty, only saw party of two across the basin on Queensway!
Narendra - Dec 25, 2008 3:15 pm
Via Pawnee passWhat a great, scenic hike. This was the first mountain that I climbed in the Indain peaks (summer 2007)!
Mots010 - Oct 2, 2008 3:37 pm Date Climbed: Sep 28, 2008
Pawnee Pass TrailQuick hike up Pawnee Pass. Scenic area, and trail was still dry.
GeorgeJames - Oct 1, 2008 2:18 am Date Climbed: Sep 21, 2008
Pawnee PassOut and back from the Brainard Lake Trailhead on an unusual weather day, that started gloomy and kept getting nicer. Neat little summit block, quite the view. Looking forward to returning to this area for more.
RMdaytripsgrl - Aug 20, 2008 3:06 pm Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2008
From Pawnee PassA spectacular mountain! A nice mellow climb from Long Lake TH.
Descent via skirting down east ridge looks pretty good, as Kane states - almost did it, but had a pulled hamstring and didn't feel up to the "unknown" of off-trail travel today. Next time. Might be a fun/easy ascent route from Isabelle lake in snow conditions. ????
Kruck - Jul 14, 2008 10:34 am Date Climbed: Jul 12, 2008
Great summit blockScrambled over to this peak after hiking Pawnee Peak. My wife went down below to the tundra bench to photograph wildflowers. I loved the final summit pillar. Some of the most excellent views. For some reason, this mountain was one of my favorites in the area. Just had a great feeling standing up on top by myself, admiring the rugged IPW. Met a fellow on my way down who was headed for the summit to mark the 51st anniversary of his first mountain climb, which was Chief's Head. Admirable.
Chris - Jul 19, 2007 4:07 pm Date Climbed: Jul 16, 2007
Nice quick dayDid a quick trail run up from Long Lake to Shoshoni and back. About 1hr 45min up. Thunderstorms moving in, so bailed on my plan to traverse to Pawnee and Toll. Nice day to be out though. Great wildflowers!
Foxy Long Bottoms - Jul 1, 2007 8:11 pm Date Climbed: Jul 1, 2007
Pawnee PassDropped past Sho and began Kasparov Traverse. Need to go back to finish Kasparov. Looking for a partner. I'll lead everything. Drop me a pm.
markhyams - Jul 8, 2006 10:04 pm Date Climbed: Jul 1, 2006
N SlopesGreat little summit. The trip over from Pawnee Pass is a bit more time-consuming than its distance would indicate.
smudge - Jul 4, 2006 7:23 pm Date Climbed: Jul 4, 2006
from Pawnee PassAwesome summit with amazing views! Toll to pawnee to shoshoni makes great loop!
miztflip - Jun 21, 2006 10:35 pm Date Climbed: Jun 21, 2006
Loop from Little PawneeRan over to Shoshoni after climbing Pawnee's East Ridge Route. The summit of Shoshoni is a spectacular setting for viewing the surrounding peaks.
Mountain Jim - Apr 29, 2006 10:27 pm Date Climbed: Jul 16, 1967
From Pawnee PassNice summit.
heather14 - Oct 22, 2005 10:53 pm
Route Climbed: Pawnee Pass Date Climbed: September 17, 2005It was quite windy. Made for a tough scramble up and across the ridge to the peak. All in all a great day though. Blue skies and great views!
jeffgun - Sep 24, 2005 5:55 pm
Route Climbed: Pawnee Pass Date Climbed: September 11, 2005Got out with my climbing buddy Pete to celebrate our freedom and remember those we lost...
Beautiful day to be up in the IPW!! Weather was absolutely perfect!! Not even a breeze up on the summit.
I agree with umbra alta about the route. We decended via the northeast face and it cut at least a mile off the return.
umbra alta - Sep 6, 2005 3:36 pm
Route Climbed: Northeast slopes Date Climbed: September 2005This peak's tiny summit tower and scramble, combined with the sheer drops around it and AMAZING views of the surrounding peaks can trick you into thinking it was a better climb than it actually was. The pawnee pass trail route sucks (it's unnecessarily long). For distance/time's sake it's best to leave it on the big bench below the pass and to the east of Shoshoni. Just contour up the talus slopes and you'll save unnecessary ups-and-downs along the ridge from Pawnee Pass (while sacrificing some good views). I downclimbed a more direct route into the basin to the east, slightly to the north of the shrunken 'Moosehead' snowfield. The terrain was slightly loose talus but nothing too bad.
This peak would go best as a snow climb in early summer of the 'Moosehead' in my opinion, allowing you to observe conditions on Navajo Snowfield and Queen's Way couloir on Apache peak.
coljayms - May 13, 2005 10:50 am
Route Climbed: Pawnee Pass Date Climbed: September 2004Did this hike the next week after the awesome Audubon/Paiute loop. From Pawnee Pass I bypassed Shoshoni Summit and followed it's ridge (rim of Isabelle Glacier) about 1/2 mile to get an amazing view of the Apache massive. After the short and exciting sramble to the summit I decided to go for the loop and descend what I now know of as the East Ridge. Clear skies, surprisingly solitary, another beauty of the IPW.
Zeke - Apr 13, 2005 12:36 am
Route Climbed: SW Couloir route Date Climbed: June 2002Climbed Via the narrow mixed couloir. Bloody good route and not as bad as it looks. The lower rock portions is a low 5th class, w/ the traverse over to the snow being the stiffest part. have fun, the snow is great!
ColoradoScott - Feb 9, 2005 5:08 pm
Route Climbed: Northeast Face Date Climbed: Early June, 1985This climb was our "snow climb" as part of graduating from the CMC's Basic Mountaineering School. This also provides an alternate approach to the NE Face, although I believe we stayed more in the couloir east of the peak than the "Moosehead" snowfield as it is referred to on this site.
From the winter road closure near Red Rock Lake, we hiked up the road, past Brainard Lake and to the Pawnee Pass Trail. We followed this trail, mostly on snow, to Isabelle Lake, but rather than continuing on the trail to the east ridge, or Pawnee Pass, we followed the drainage above the lake for almost 1/2 mile, until at about 11,100'.
From here, we turned north (right) and ascended a moderately steep south-facing snowfield in a previously hidden couloir for 600' up to the level spot on the east ridge at 11,800'. From here, the NE Face provided several options, the most direct being a shallow snow-filled coulour leading just east of the summit tower. The final ascent was made from the north ridge to access the summit block.
Descent was made by following NE Face couloirs (glissades!!!) and then intersecting the Pawnee Pass Trail at 11,800'. More glissades were used to avoid switchbacks on the trail, the final one over a cornice(!) off the bench just below Lake Isabelle. This is huge fun if you like romping in the spring snow.
jwclimbs - Oct 4, 2004 4:22 pm
Route Climbed: Pawnee Pass Date Climbed: October 3, 2004For an "easy" summit hike, this one was hard earned. Jared hails a victory salute after a sketchy scramble to the summit block.
jeffgun - Oct 4, 2004 1:33 pm
Route Climbed: Pawnee Pass Date Climbed: October 3, 2004As iceclimber said, lots of snow east of the divide right now. I ran into them close to the top of the pass on their way down. Thanks again for the steps guys! Absolutely gorgeous day. It was 50 degrees and totally calm on the summit. Outstanding view of the Apache massif and Isabelle Glacier from the top of the summit block.