I went up via the Persis-Index traverse, and came down the West Ridge route. The West Ridge involved some bush-whacking, side-slope stepping and veggie belays. Not pleasant. It was very foggy, so it's possible I missed some easier sections. Other than 2-3 cairns, I found little evidence of previous hikers. Once down to the logging road, it unfortunately did not get better. The next 1.5 to 2 miles were mostly dense brush, particularly the first mile. Afterwards it was a lot of road walking back to my car at the Persis trailhead. I got a ride for part of it, but Campbell Global has a locked gate just south of Cavanaugh Lake on NF-62001, so they only saved me a couple miles. I definitely recommend the traverse over doing this route to the summit.
Redwic - May 6, 2012 9:00 pm Date Climbed: May 6, 2012
A Great Trip, A Great Peak!
After Gimpilator and I timed-out last year, we did this as an overnighter this time. And for this trip, five other guys joined us. It was a great team, with everyone working together for the common goal. Due to the snow conditions, having such a big summit team was a blessing in disguise because everyone in the group contributed to the trailbreaking and success of the climb. We hit all of the terrain at the right moments, in regards to weather and conditions. What a fun trip! My 70th Washington P2K. My 98th USA P2K.
Josh Lewis - Sep 30, 2011 8:09 pm Date Climbed: Sep 29, 2011
Simply Awful!!!
I gotta say, this was hands down the second worse route of any mountain that I've climbed this year. There was so much bush whacking and getting cut up from the trees and sticker bushes. Not to mention the black flies and mosquitoes up there. There is no easy way up Mount Index, I would recommend this peak earlier than September. Perhaps July? I do not intend to return to this route and see why Index is rarely ever climbed. But at least the bike ride was enjoyable as well as the summit ending. This video sums up my words well:
Josh Lewis - Feb 19, 2011 11:20 pm Date Climbed: Feb 19, 2011
A Nice Day
I'm sad to say today I did not make the summit, my partner felt that it was not possible to summit at a reasonable time. We got to 4,700 feet and were plowing through snow although it was only a little after noon, my partner said that things would have gotten a lot slower for him. We still had a nice day out.
sorkinbr - Jul 8, 2019 1:53 pm Date Climbed: Jul 4, 2019
Very OvergrownI went up via the Persis-Index traverse, and came down the West Ridge route. The West Ridge involved some bush-whacking, side-slope stepping and veggie belays. Not pleasant. It was very foggy, so it's possible I missed some easier sections. Other than 2-3 cairns, I found little evidence of previous hikers. Once down to the logging road, it unfortunately did not get better. The next 1.5 to 2 miles were mostly dense brush, particularly the first mile. Afterwards it was a lot of road walking back to my car at the Persis trailhead. I got a ride for part of it, but Campbell Global has a locked gate just south of Cavanaugh Lake on NF-62001, so they only saved me a couple miles. I definitely recommend the traverse over doing this route to the summit.
Redwic - May 6, 2012 9:00 pm Date Climbed: May 6, 2012
A Great Trip, A Great Peak!After Gimpilator and I timed-out last year, we did this as an overnighter this time. And for this trip, five other guys joined us. It was a great team, with everyone working together for the common goal. Due to the snow conditions, having such a big summit team was a blessing in disguise because everyone in the group contributed to the trailbreaking and success of the climb. We hit all of the terrain at the right moments, in regards to weather and conditions. What a fun trip! My 70th Washington P2K. My 98th USA P2K.
Josh Lewis - Sep 30, 2011 8:09 pm Date Climbed: Sep 29, 2011
Simply Awful!!!I gotta say, this was hands down the second worse route of any mountain that I've climbed this year. There was so much bush whacking and getting cut up from the trees and sticker bushes. Not to mention the black flies and mosquitoes up there. There is no easy way up Mount Index, I would recommend this peak earlier than September. Perhaps July? I do not intend to return to this route and see why Index is rarely ever climbed. But at least the bike ride was enjoyable as well as the summit ending. This video sums up my words well:
Josh Lewis - Feb 19, 2011 11:20 pm Date Climbed: Feb 19, 2011
A Nice DayI'm sad to say today I did not make the summit, my partner felt that it was not possible to summit at a reasonable time. We got to 4,700 feet and were plowing through snow although it was only a little after noon, my partner said that things would have gotten a lot slower for him. We still had a nice day out.