Member Trip report

Mts. Liberty-Flume

01/28/2017

Trip Report/Photos from Robert.L

Featured Photo

I was hunkering for a hike and needed something strenuous, simple, and easy to get too.  With Stephen fresh from his Crockers Adventure we met up at The Basin parking lot to hike up Mts. Liberty and Flume.  Stephen arrived shortly after 8am and I zoomed in just after 8:30.  By 8:45 we were heading along the trail to summit.  The day was mostly cloudy with periodic clearing and a high enough cloud ceiling to allow some dramatic vistas.  The trail was well packed by previous hikers which made for a fast and easy ascent.  It's not to say it wasn't steep, it was just nice not having to step up over big rocks.  We enjoyed a casual meandering, yet well paced, ascent.  We bumped into a few hikers coming down (They camped overnight at Liberty Springs Tent Site) and we passed a few folks who were also ascending.  By 11:45am we were atop Mt. Liberty - stunning.  This was my 3rd time on this summit, 2nd winter trek to this peak and it remains as breathtaking as the first time.  Stephen snapped a few photos and then we began our way over to Mt. Flume.  Sadly I had forgotten my snow shoes and while they were not necessary coming up to Mt. Liberty, I could have used them between the two summits.  I post-holed a dozen times or so which was frustrating but causes one to ensure he never forgets his snow shoes again!  At the very base of the col between the summits we took a lunch break - the silence was golden with a brilliant snowy landscape.  We then carried on to summit Mt. Flume where the winds whipped and despite the perpetual overcast, afforded us a 360 view and a look back to Mt. Liberty.  We meandered our way back at a nice pace.  Stephen had broken trail (Thank you sir!!) leading with his snow shoes and I was working a bit harder as well by keeping myself from sinking.  We encountered only 3 people making their way to Flume and once atop Liberty again we traded photo opportunities with a nice couple.  We chatted up a bit - he had an awesome orange rain shell over a matching winter puff coat - totally cool and I liked the look.  Stephen and I made our way down the Liberty Springs trail and back to the parking lot by 3:30pm.  I estimate we conquered 10 miles this day and I knocked off one more summit for my list of 48 - Mt. Flume.  I have 10 to go.  Thank you Stephen for joining me this day - we'll be hiking again soon - cheers mate!!

  There are 12 photos in Album (Note: Move mouse pointer over larger pic and click on NEXT for better viewing)

shep5 Posted Jan 31, 2017 at 7:10 PM

Thanks, Robert for suggesting the trip. Just what I needed...it was fun with a bit of a challenge. As always, it was great sharing the adventure!

Gandalf Posted Jan 30, 2017 at 10:43 PM

nice trip report and photos :-)

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