W6/SS-054 Mt Goethe (attempt)

Adam, K6ARK, had organized a SOTA backpacking trip over Piute Pass, inviting me, Tim K6TW, Jerry, KG6HQD, Kevin W6RIP, and Kevin's son Riley. After a bit of confusion on Friday morning, we all met up and got on the trail. One would think that 5 hams would not have trouble staying in touch, but apparently not. Jerry had already started up by the time everyone else arrived.

Trailhead kiosk.

We set off up the trail. Naturally, the talk quickly turned to radio. At the top of some switchbacks we reached the first of many lakes. Adam stopped to catch a fish at one. There was a small snowfield just below the pass. At the pass, we stopped to admire the view, then headed over to Muriel Lake, where we would set up a base camp for the weekend.

Small meadow just below the pass.

After catching up to Jerry at the lake, we set up our tents and had lunch. Adam, Riley, and I were feeling good and decided to go activate Mt Goethe. Our planned route was around Lake Muriel, up around the right sides of the Goethe Lakes, up the boulders to Alpine Pass, then along the ridge to the summit.

Mt Humphries across one of the Goethe Lakes.

We started out. At the second Goethe Lake we decided that going around the left side would be easier, so we did this. As we climbed up from the lake, the real talus started. It was slow going, and got slower as we climbed into bigger rocks.

Me wondering what I've gotten myself into.

There were some snow fields, but the waist high sun cups made traversing them difficult. At the edge of one snowfield I postholed and managed to scrape my arm up pretty well. After lots more talus climbing we made it to the pass. What was above us? More talus. We continued climbing. I was feeling pretty tired at this point, probably from not being acclimated.

At the turnaround point.

We reached the first small col along the ridge and stopped. We looked at the remaining ridge and amount of daylight left and decided that it would be best to turn around. The talus would be very terrible to go down in the dark. After resting and having a snack, we began retracing our steps. The snow was too steep to glissade safely, but it was much faster going down.

Looking towards tomorrow's destination: Pilot Knob.

Despite having to no longer fight gravity, the talus was slow. It was a great relief to get back past the lower Goethe Lake and off the rocks. Back at camp we shared our stories with those who had stayed behind and cooked some tasty dinner.

Sunset over Muriel Lake.

Next summer I hope to go back and get the peak, especially now that I know what I'm getting myself into.

Trailhead: North Lake Trailhead, near the end of CA 168
Website: SOTA Site.
Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.
Route: Take the trail up over the pass and then to Muriel Lake. Go around the right side of the lake, up to the right side of lower Goethe Lake, left side of Upper Goethe Lake. Climb the large talus to Alpine Pass, then follow the left side of the ridge up.
Red Tape: None. Permits required for overnight trips.

A beautiful area of the Sierra.