Page Type:
|
Route |
|---|---|
Lat/Lon:
|
45.06460°N / 117.245°W |
Route Type:
|
Hike |
|
Time Required:
|
Most of a day |
|
Difficulty:
|
class 2 |
|
Approach
Summit Point TH. See description on main page on how to get to this TH.
The distance to Red Mtn from the TH is 9 miles and has a total elevation gain of 5100 feet when all ups and downs are added up. It is a long day.
Route Description
Hike north on trail 1885 toward Crater Lake (yes, Oregon has more than one Crater Lake). Initially you'll pass by a road that leads to a lookout tower on the right and you'll continue on for about two miles before you drop a hundred and fifty feet into a meadow and, , encounter an unmarked split in the trail (which by now is merely a path one foot wide, We encountered cattle in this meadowed area (including one nasty looking bull) Take the right fork - the left fork takes you into the drainage basin west of the correct trail. The right fork takes you, some one-half mile later, up a few switchbacks and thence along the 7,800 ft contour of Cornucopia Pk to your east. If you mistakenly end up in the drainage basin, locate the obvious slope to your east and head directly up it. Eventually you will intersect the correct trail as it heads north towards Crater Lake at the 7,800 ft level. However, if you stay on the trail, about the 3 mile mark you'll find a delightful spring gushing out with pure cold water right at the trail level. This was the only fresh water we encountered so fill up your water bottles here as this can be a hot and dusty trail and climb.
The trail continues to wind around along the flanks of Cornucopia Pk eventually reaching a saddle where you begin to descend, losing over 600 feet that you'll have to regain on the way back. After perhaps seven miles from the trailhead you begin a descent to Crater Lake with Red Mountain to your northeast. Watch for an unmarked trail that leads towards Red Mtn (before you get to Crater Lake) and head up it towards the mountain. As you get to the treeline, you'll have all of Red Mtn in front of you and the trick is to find a decent route to the ridgeline, not an easy task. I'd recommend that you head towards the left where a band of trees edge up to the ridgeline and roughly follow this band upwards.
The mountainside is comprised of loose talus and shifting rocks so careful foot placement is required, lest you find yourself with an injured ankle or leg. Aim for the ridgeline at about the 9200 foot level and from there the route to the summit is obvious. Care must be taken as there are drop offs on both sides of the ridge but the ridge scramble is the highlight of the climb. A summit register, originally placed in 1977 can be found on the summit.
 |  |  |  |  |
Essential Gear
Crampons and Ice axe in early season when snow still covers the talus slopes (not a bad time to do this one). Otherwise, no special gear needed.
Miscellaneous Info
If you have information about this route that doesn't pertain to any of the other sections, please add it here.