trailsprinter - Aug 21, 2009 10:12 am Date Climbed: Aug 20, 2009
360 degrees
Began at 6:00 a.m. via lower and upper deep freeze ski runs, summitted at 7:50 a.m. Beautiful morning, slight breeze, cloudless sky, endless views. Saw two herds of elk, one of about 30, the other between 50 and 60. By the way, where's the sign-in log?
bahia0019 - Jul 30, 2009 1:38 am Date Climbed: Jul 27, 2009
First Summit
My second time up here. First time it was covered in 24" of powder.
This time, I would not be robbed.
Drove from Austin arrived around 11PM, slept uncomfortably in my truck (which was full, due to my moving to San Diego).
Woke up at 6:00, on the trail by 6:30.
The altitude was definitely a factor, the slightest of slopes left me sucking air.
Legs were on fire by the time I summited Lookout, and knew at that point that it was going to be tough going from there.
I got to the upward side of the saddle and bumped into a couple guys and their boys. Took the opportunity to rest while chatting, then started again.
After the scramble, I clambered my way up to the top, and did my Rocky pose on the highest rock there, looked around, did some deep breathing, looked for the register (couldn't find it), then started back down just as some clouds were forming.
On the way down, I bumped into a couple guys on the saddle, and a large group at Lookout. I had made about a mile from the last group when it began hailing and lightning. I had some cover in the forest, but felt bad for those guys who probably had yet to summit.
It was a beautiful hike, saw elk on the way up, summiting was amazing. It was my first peak, and it was probably the most physically challenging thing I've ever done.
Dennis Poulin - Jul 15, 2009 12:53 pm Date Climbed: Oct 6, 2008
Standard Route
Nice hike. Saw some Elk. Early season snow added to the pleasure. A little cold and windy on top.
Outdooraholic - Jun 18, 2009 11:02 pm Date Climbed: Jun 18, 2009
Trail 15-25-78
3 hours up, 2.5 hours down. Beautiful weather and views!
cropear - Oct 11, 2008 5:01 pm Date Climbed: Oct 20, 2007
No better view on a clear day
Me and my buddy Ben took off at 7AM. Took the long trail through the forest (The North Approach). On the the ski lift and picnic tables, Up to Look out, then over, and up the long long tall tall wall that leads up the ridge to the summit. No need to hurry once you get past lookout. The summit is not going anywhere. Very great climb. We could see well down to El Paso, The Guadalupe Mountains to the SE.
Awesome snow climb all the way, save for some fun scrambling up high on the north ridge of Sierra Blanca. Definitely a great peak with awesome views which rival Telescope Peak.
Bonesaw - Jan 11, 2008 9:51 am Date Climbed: Sep 21, 2001
My First Summit
This was my first summit. Great hike with a little bit of scrambling at the top. I dragged my dad up there and we had a blast!
Woke up at the Inn of the Mountain Gods (nice place) around 5:30 am. Started hiking at 6:35. I took Trail No. 15 to Trail No. 25 up to Lookout Mountain and then crossed over to Sierra Blanca. Made it to the summit at 9 am. Started down at 9:20 and reached the car by 10:35 am.
Got a very late start on this. Went up the Lincoln Lift Line slope at the Ski Apache complex to cut distance, knowing that it might deprive me of much needed energy later. It did. As I was on the first ridge to Sierra Blanca, weather rolled in real quick and completely blanketed the peak. Not wanting to get caught on the mountain with potential lightning strikes around the corner, I pulled the plug and figured to do it another day. Coming down, I ran into Lizrdboy. While talking to him, the weather cleared, so I decided to turn around and give it another shot. He must be in a lot better shape than me, because I couldn't keep his pace. He ended up going ahead of me, while I summited at 2:15 pm. On my descent of the Lincoln ski slope, the thunderstorms finally came, hitting within several miles to the east and south. All in all, the trip was worth it. Great views on the summit, although they were partially blocked by cloud cover. There were also spectacular views off the ridges. I owe a big "thanks" to Lizrdboy. Had I not bumped into him, I probably wouldn't have made the summit today. All I had on my mind was BBQ after I turned around. I still got my BBQ, just had to wait longer.
What started as a lazy day turned into my own brand of self flagellation and I decided, late, to make the 2 hour drive and climb Sierra Blanca. Not knowing what to do with myself after being given a "break" by my girlfriend, I was hoping to beat the afternoon weather. I hit the ski lift fire road at 11:45 and made it to the top of the lift an hour later - completely out of breath. Dark clouds were all around, but the pressure was stable and patched of blue were still in the mix. On the ridge to the peak, I ran into Ray Ray. We walked together for a while, then my paranoia took over and I left him behind. I made it to the summit 1:46 after leaving the car. The weather was still holding but clouds swirled all around the summit. It was actually breathtaking. And I had no breath at all. I was spent. I stumbled down the ridge, said a few words to Ray Ray as we passed and continued down. It wasn't much fun, but it was a very nice mountain with a great alpine finish. I recommend starting earlier, taking it slower, and being in better shape.
weeds19 - Feb 27, 2007 7:45 am Date Climbed: Oct 30, 2002
Cold Day
There was plenty of snow up high, and I ended up having to kick steps during the last part of my ascent. Wonderful views over White Sands.
boisedoc - Sep 12, 2006 5:37 am Date Climbed: Apr 15, 1989
snow hike
Hiked up it from the ski area over Easter weekend. Lots of snow left. Big mountain
Route Climbed: Standard Trail # 15 Date Climbed: July 28, 2005
It had rained the day before and the summit was in the clouds until dusk. We started at 7:00 the next morning and it was 42 degrees as the sun rose. We saw turkeys and elk on the way up: also one hiker on his way down. We reached the ridge and took in the spectacular view before moving past the ski area to Lookout Mountain. It was quite windy at this point but as we pushed up the steep slope to Sierra Blanca it became calm. We hit the summit at 10:45, took in the view, snapped photos, signed the log book, and ate lunch. There was hardly a cloud in the sky and you could see Guadalupe Peak way to the south in Texas. We spotted herds of elk and even some wild horses, then headed down by way of a very steep ski slope to the lodge for more lunch! It's a great hike.
Route Climbed: Standard, Trail 15 -> Lookout Date Climbed: July 16, 2005
Started early, and took a nice easy stroll to the top in 4 1/2 hours. was clear on top where we talked to some hikers from El Paso, then descended the west ridge and dropped down a couloir on the steep face of the summit to avoid afternoon thunderstorms that sprung up. 2 1/2 hour trip back down the ski runs, hard on the knees, but much faster than the trails.
Route Climbed: North approach Date Climbed: May 22, 2005
Duane and I started up Trail 15 and rather soon got wallowed down in soft postholing snow in the trees. So we just headed straight up the ridge and then worked our way over Lookout Mountain (Lincoln County highpoint) on our way to the summit. We decended under the lifts and wished we had ascended that route. Beautiful day, but a t-storm formed not far to the east in the afternoon. This was the first of our SW sweep of nine Ultra prominence peaks in nine days..
Route Climbed: Unmarked Trail (NW Face) Date Climbed: May 9, 2004
Faint trail leads up a grassy slope to the false summit, then to reach the summit itself, cross a narrow gap by either crawling/climbing along the top of the outcrop or on foot just below on the west slope. In May, there is still a decent amount of snow on the glaciated (?) portion of the peak and the Crest/Lookout Trails approach. We were fortunate to have great visibility. An excellent hike anytime of year, even if only to Lookout (previously hiked in the fall).
Route Climbed: North Ridge Date Climbed: March, 1994
Hiked through the woods just north of the ski area, and on the west side a few feet below the ridgetop past all the top ski buildings. Snow conditions were great for this morning climb and the weather was gorgeous, and the angle of the summit pyramid made for a little bit of fun climbing.
I'd love to try a route up the headwall of the cirque on the NE side of the peak someday, which would undoubtably give the most interesting technical climbing on the peak.
trailsprinter - Aug 21, 2009 10:12 am Date Climbed: Aug 20, 2009
360 degreesBegan at 6:00 a.m. via lower and upper deep freeze ski runs, summitted at 7:50 a.m. Beautiful morning, slight breeze, cloudless sky, endless views. Saw two herds of elk, one of about 30, the other between 50 and 60. By the way, where's the sign-in log?
bahia0019 - Jul 30, 2009 1:38 am Date Climbed: Jul 27, 2009
First SummitMy second time up here. First time it was covered in 24" of powder.
This time, I would not be robbed.
Drove from Austin arrived around 11PM, slept uncomfortably in my truck (which was full, due to my moving to San Diego).
Woke up at 6:00, on the trail by 6:30.
The altitude was definitely a factor, the slightest of slopes left me sucking air.
Legs were on fire by the time I summited Lookout, and knew at that point that it was going to be tough going from there.
I got to the upward side of the saddle and bumped into a couple guys and their boys. Took the opportunity to rest while chatting, then started again.
After the scramble, I clambered my way up to the top, and did my Rocky pose on the highest rock there, looked around, did some deep breathing, looked for the register (couldn't find it), then started back down just as some clouds were forming.
On the way down, I bumped into a couple guys on the saddle, and a large group at Lookout. I had made about a mile from the last group when it began hailing and lightning. I had some cover in the forest, but felt bad for those guys who probably had yet to summit.
It was a beautiful hike, saw elk on the way up, summiting was amazing. It was my first peak, and it was probably the most physically challenging thing I've ever done.
Dennis Poulin - Jul 15, 2009 12:53 pm Date Climbed: Oct 6, 2008
Standard RouteNice hike. Saw some Elk. Early season snow added to the pleasure. A little cold and windy on top.
Outdooraholic - Jun 18, 2009 11:02 pm Date Climbed: Jun 18, 2009
Trail 15-25-783 hours up, 2.5 hours down. Beautiful weather and views!
cropear - Oct 11, 2008 5:01 pm Date Climbed: Oct 20, 2007
No better view on a clear dayMe and my buddy Ben took off at 7AM. Took the long trail through the forest (The North Approach). On the the ski lift and picnic tables, Up to Look out, then over, and up the long long tall tall wall that leads up the ridge to the summit. No need to hurry once you get past lookout. The summit is not going anywhere. Very great climb. We could see well down to El Paso, The Guadalupe Mountains to the SE.
peakrat76 - Apr 23, 2008 3:51 pm Date Climbed: Apr 18, 2005
North Ridge via Lookout PeakAwesome snow climb all the way, save for some fun scrambling up high on the north ridge of Sierra Blanca. Definitely a great peak with awesome views which rival Telescope Peak.
Bonesaw - Jan 11, 2008 9:51 am Date Climbed: Sep 21, 2001
My First SummitThis was my first summit. Great hike with a little bit of scrambling at the top. I dragged my dad up there and we had a blast!
Clodhopper - Sep 6, 2007 12:20 pm Date Climbed: Sep 5, 2007
Afternoon StormsAwesome views! Be off by noon, it gets nasty quick.
Garon Coriz - Jul 27, 2007 10:23 pm Date Climbed: Jul 27, 2007
QuickieWoke up at the Inn of the Mountain Gods (nice place) around 5:30 am. Started hiking at 6:35. I took Trail No. 15 to Trail No. 25 up to Lookout Mountain and then crossed over to Sierra Blanca. Made it to the summit at 9 am. Started down at 9:20 and reached the car by 10:35 am.
rayray - Jul 7, 2007 11:56 pm Date Climbed: Jul 7, 2007
The summit that almost wasn'tGot a very late start on this. Went up the Lincoln Lift Line slope at the Ski Apache complex to cut distance, knowing that it might deprive me of much needed energy later. It did. As I was on the first ridge to Sierra Blanca, weather rolled in real quick and completely blanketed the peak. Not wanting to get caught on the mountain with potential lightning strikes around the corner, I pulled the plug and figured to do it another day. Coming down, I ran into Lizrdboy. While talking to him, the weather cleared, so I decided to turn around and give it another shot. He must be in a lot better shape than me, because I couldn't keep his pace. He ended up going ahead of me, while I summited at 2:15 pm. On my descent of the Lincoln ski slope, the thunderstorms finally came, hitting within several miles to the east and south. All in all, the trip was worth it. Great views on the summit, although they were partially blocked by cloud cover. There were also spectacular views off the ridges. I owe a big "thanks" to Lizrdboy. Had I not bumped into him, I probably wouldn't have made the summit today. All I had on my mind was BBQ after I turned around. I still got my BBQ, just had to wait longer.
lizrdboy - Jul 7, 2007 9:06 pm Date Climbed: Jul 7, 2007
Beat the CloudsWhat started as a lazy day turned into my own brand of self flagellation and I decided, late, to make the 2 hour drive and climb Sierra Blanca. Not knowing what to do with myself after being given a "break" by my girlfriend, I was hoping to beat the afternoon weather. I hit the ski lift fire road at 11:45 and made it to the top of the lift an hour later - completely out of breath. Dark clouds were all around, but the pressure was stable and patched of blue were still in the mix. On the ridge to the peak, I ran into Ray Ray. We walked together for a while, then my paranoia took over and I left him behind. I made it to the summit 1:46 after leaving the car. The weather was still holding but clouds swirled all around the summit. It was actually breathtaking. And I had no breath at all. I was spent. I stumbled down the ridge, said a few words to Ray Ray as we passed and continued down. It wasn't much fun, but it was a very nice mountain with a great alpine finish. I recommend starting earlier, taking it slower, and being in better shape.
weeds19 - Feb 27, 2007 7:45 am Date Climbed: Oct 30, 2002
Cold DayThere was plenty of snow up high, and I ended up having to kick steps during the last part of my ascent. Wonderful views over White Sands.
boisedoc - Sep 12, 2006 5:37 am Date Climbed: Apr 15, 1989
snow hikeHiked up it from the ski area over Easter weekend. Lots of snow left. Big mountain
strawd - Sep 6, 2005 1:05 pm
Route Climbed: Standard Trail # 15 Date Climbed: July 28, 2005It had rained the day before and the summit was in the clouds until dusk. We started at 7:00 the next morning and it was 42 degrees as the sun rose. We saw turkeys and elk on the way up: also one hiker on his way down. We reached the ridge and took in the spectacular view before moving past the ski area to Lookout Mountain. It was quite windy at this point but as we pushed up the steep slope to Sierra Blanca it became calm. We hit the summit at 10:45, took in the view, snapped photos, signed the log book, and ate lunch. There was hardly a cloud in the sky and you could see Guadalupe Peak way to the south in Texas. We spotted herds of elk and even some wild horses, then headed down by way of a very steep ski slope to the lodge for more lunch! It's a great hike.
01aCRViper - Jul 19, 2005 2:39 am
Route Climbed: Standard, Trail 15 -> Lookout Date Climbed: July 16, 2005Started early, and took a nice easy stroll to the top in 4 1/2 hours. was clear on top where we talked to some hikers from El Paso, then descended the west ridge and dropped down a couloir on the steep face of the summit to avoid afternoon thunderstorms that sprung up. 2 1/2 hour trip back down the ski runs, hard on the knees, but much faster than the trails.
Bob Bolton - Jun 2, 2005 12:41 am
Route Climbed: North approach Date Climbed: May 22, 2005Duane and I started up Trail 15 and rather soon got wallowed down in soft postholing snow in the trees. So we just headed straight up the ridge and then worked our way over Lookout Mountain (Lincoln County highpoint) on our way to the summit. We decended under the lifts and wished we had ascended that route. Beautiful day, but a t-storm formed not far to the east in the afternoon. This was the first of our SW sweep of nine Ultra prominence peaks in nine days..
Linejudge - Feb 9, 2005 5:41 pm
Date Climbed: July 1979Hiked over from the top of the ski area. Spent about 5 minutes on top before the rain started. It rained on us all the way back down.
wbass - May 26, 2004 4:28 pm
Route Climbed: Unmarked Trail (NW Face) Date Climbed: May 9, 2004Faint trail leads up a grassy slope to the false summit, then to reach the summit itself, cross a narrow gap by either crawling/climbing along the top of the outcrop or on foot just below on the west slope. In May, there is still a decent amount of snow on the glaciated (?) portion of the peak and the Crest/Lookout Trails approach. We were fortunate to have great visibility. An excellent hike anytime of year, even if only to Lookout (previously hiked in the fall).
SoloRed - Jan 30, 2004 7:51 am
Route Climbed: North Ridge Date Climbed: March, 1994Hiked through the woods just north of the ski area, and on the west side a few feet below the ridgetop past all the top ski buildings. Snow conditions were great for this morning climb and the weather was gorgeous, and the angle of the summit pyramid made for a little bit of fun climbing.
I'd love to try a route up the headwall of the cirque on the NE side of the peak someday, which would undoubtably give the most interesting technical climbing on the peak.
surgent - Aug 23, 2003 11:13 am
Route Climbed: North Approach Date Climbed: July 14, 2001Great hike and one of my all time favorites.