Marble Mountains Trip Report

“I worked a day shift on Thursday so I could get off early to make the
drive to the campground, it was a bit odd working the day shift, different people and different meetings. I made it to camp at about 9pm, Q'd up some fajitas for dinner and had a St. Pauli by the fire before ChinaChas and his son Michael arrived. ChinaChas and I played a game of Cribbage before turning in. We got off to a leisurely start Friday morning and made it up to the TH and on the trail by 10 am. There wasn't another vehicle at the TH
parking area which is strange considering Canyon Creek is perhaps the
most popular trail in the Wilderness. The route is through thick pine
forest, at first just a mellow climb and then more steeply after about
3.5 miles. There are several rock hoppin side streams along the way as
well as a surprise waterfall. After about 5 miles and 1800' climbed we
arrived at a Forest Service cabin and the incredible views of Marble
Mountain. We'd been hoping to go further but by the time we got to the
cabin the snow was gettin' pretty thick as we were at about 6000'. The
area provided an excellent campsite with plenty of firewood and awesome
views.

While hangin' around camp we pondered what to do on Saturday as we would
be unable to complete our intended route. We spent alot of time gazing
at Marble Mountain and kicked around the idea of summiting it. Michael
couldn't believe what he was hearing but before long realized we were
serious. Despite the snow it looked to be manageable and the top of the
mountain was mostly snow free. At about 10am Saturday morning we started
for the summit and the weather was perfect, sunny and temps in the 60's.
Part of the way up we spotted bear tracks crossing a snow field and
heading down into the valley. We huffed and puffed our way up crossing
some steep snow fields that had they been any steeper we would've needed
ice axe and crampons. We found a cave on the way up and the views
started opening up. Soon we were able to pick out peaks in the Trinity
Alps and other prominant ranges in the Marbles. The route became easier
as we approached the summit and left the snow behind. The marble surface
was abrasive allowing for good traction. Before long we reached the
summit at about 7000' and the views were incredible in all directions.
We took the customary summit pictures, ate some lunch and soaked up the
sun and views, not a bad place to spend my birthday. We got out the map
and started identifying mountains and canyons and tried to locate where
trails might be buried under the snow. After an hour or so we headed
down the mountain passing a couple more caves as we arrived at the snow
fields. At one point we did the butt glissade. Before long we were back in camp and basking in the glow of our
achievement. We spent the rest of the afternoon playing some Cribbage
and lazing around camp. ChinaChas gave me a Cuban cigar for my birthday
that evening and we talked of trails we've hiked and places we want to.
This morning was a quick out and into town for a meal before the drive
home.

All in all, it was an excellent trip with great scenery and an
adventerous, succesful summit attempt. We saw no wildlife on the trip
but we also didn't see a single person. It's not too often you get to go
to such a beautiful place and have it all to yourself, I'm looking
forward to seeing the pics.”

“WOW, great report Dunk. It sounds like you had a great time. A couple questions though - as I'm not terribly familiar with mountain terrain. Why would there be snow part way up the mountain, but not at the peak? And where is this area?”

“Great trip report Dunk, Thanks for sharing your trip with us!”

“Oldie, a number of factors play into it, mainly exposure to the sun. With a lack of trees more sun reaches the peak area melting the snow quicker, also, it being the top of the mountain it is exposed to the sunlight for more hours during the day. Another factor is that during the winter storms, the higher the altitude the drier the snow and the easier for the wind to blow the dry stuff away.”

“That makes sense. Thanks Dunk.”

“Dunk, I imagine that snow is melting fast. The weather here on the coast has been better than outstanding. How did the creeks look? Is the spring thaw peaking? Whats your opionion on the timing whenf most of the lakes might be opening up ? lets say 6000 ft.
I'm considering Clear lake in mid June. It's only 5500ft. but it's surrounded by 7000 ft. ridges.
Thanks TIM”

“Thanks for the report Dunk. Just thinking of you guys hiking up there made my foot feel better.”

“Sounds like the perfect birthday. Happy belated birthday, Dunk!! That was a great report and given your photography talent, I'm certain you've got some beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing! :o)”

“Well, I certainly can't add much more to Dunk's trip report. He pretty much nailed the events. I will say it was an awesome time. I still can't believe that we didn't see a soul all weekend.

Anyway, here are the picks that I took.

The Marble Valley

I'm looking forward to Dunk's shots. Should have more of Michael and I in them. The one's I have didn't scan well enough to even post.”

“Cal, from about Etna summit north, the snow accumulation was very poor. Right now, everything below below 6000' is pretty much open. In another couple of weeks, the area we were in will probably be open above 6000'. I put a stick in the snow 2 feet from the edge when we arrived. By the time we left, the snow had melted beyond the stick. South of Etna Summit, the snow pack is very close to normal for this time of year. The Trinity's looked pretty snowed in from where we could see.”

“Good trip report Dunk.

ChinaChas, nice pics. I especially like the shot of the Trinity Mountains, and, and, geez, I can't remember, that head area. What views!”

“Damn CC, you already have pics developed and up, I'll be lucky to have 'em up in two weeks. Stay tuned.”

“I really enjoyed the pictures. I went to Marble Gap in mid-July 1998. The 5-mile section of the PCT that goes south from Paradise Lake was very difficult. Even in mid-July there was lots of blowdown and lots of snow on all the north-facing sections of the trail. I admire you for getting there in May. Did you scramble up Marble Mountain from Marble Gap? If so was that easy? We camped near the same cabin that you mentioned. The deer at that camp were like hungry dogs drooling near the dining room table waiting for handouts. We had to keep shooing them away because they were so bold.”

“bluebelch, '98 was quite the snowy year, I remember running into snow in the Trinities near 3500' in July. I might be doing that section of the PCT north to Paradise Lk this August.


To get to the summit of Marble Mtn we angled Southeast behind a prominant cliff / marble outcrop (as seen in picture 4 below and to the left of the summit) up sometimes steep snow fields. This was one of the most difficult areas of the route due to the possibility of slipping and taking a ride. Once above the cliff, the route was mostly a walk up to the summit. From the summit, we checked out the route from Marble Gap. It is a steep, exposed rock climb and while the trail to the gap is probably easier (when the trail is visible) the summit approach is much more dangerous.”

“Thanks China, Sounds like it will be a early one this year.My past early season attempts have led me to frozen lakes

Over the past 6 years I've watched the snow field behind Paynes Lake darn near turn into a glacier.
Great pics, its getting time to get out of the garden and into the mountains”

“Charlie: As usual, you brought back some nice photos. Thanks for sharing. Glad to hear that you guys had a good trip. You better call Nomad and thank him for not going. We all know you wouldn't have had those nice blue skies if he'd come along!”

“Ya know alpine, I didn't even think of it at the time. But now I guess we know who the rainmaker is! I'm glad too because there is no way I was gonna blow on any fire for two hours just to get it going.”

“Great shots CC. Looks like a beautiful place.”

“Calnatv, I'll be passing through your neck of the woods two weeks from Friday, maybe we could hook up for that meal you mentioned. I'm still not sure exactly what time I'll be passin' through but I'm guessing it will be early afternoon.”

“Sounds good, Just keep me posted”