Mount Oklahoma - 13,845 ft

Date: 9-21-08

Climbers: George Barnes

Route:  Southeast Slopes

RT distance:  7.0 miles

Elevation gain:  3,345 feet

Trip Report:

The forecast for the weekend didn't look exceptional, but I wanted to try to sneak in another centennial peak.  The NOAA weather icon for Sunday was particularly discouraging (e.g. ), however I've stayed home before when the forecast was worse and then seen bluebird skies over Longs Peak.

I got up at 3:55AM and after an uninteresting McDonalds breakfast sandwich reached the Halfmoon 4WD TH at around 7AM.  The roads had been mostly wet on the drive up, and by the time I parked it started to rain.  Not keen on starting out wet, I crawled into the back of the Jeep for a nap.  I woke up around 7:30AM to voices near the jeep, the rain had stopped and the skies were momentarily blue, so I hastily got ready to move.

Leaving the trailhead at 7:40AM, I quickly caught and passed a party of three who I would guess were heading for Mt Massive.  Shortly after catching them, the rain started again, and I dug out a Marmot hardshell from my pack.  The rain took it's toll on morale, and I found myself dallying in the trees waiting for the heavier rain to pass.

Questionable weather on the approach

About the time I needed to leave the N Halfmoon Lakes trail (~11.6K), the weather seemed to be clearing up.  I beat my way through some soaking willows, hopped a couple streams, passed an elk hunter's wall tent, and started up Oklahoma's SE slopes route.

The weather is looking better!  (Mount Massive)

At 12.8K it seemed like more threatening clouds were starting to appear to the west and some posthaste was going to be necessary.  I didn't really want to have to turn around 100ft from the top, so I sped up to finish the last thousand feet in about 30 minutes, arriving at 11AM.

I didn't really think I'd see this pile of rocks today!

Summit Shots

Mt Elbert

Mt Massive

Deer Mountain

The hike out was generally uneventful and much drier.  I stopped near treeline to enjoy some superb smoked salmon and jalepeno hazelnuts from Paul in Oregon.  Hiking off-trail for 13ers proved to be rewarding, as I passed within 20 yards of a large mule deer buck and a couple does just below treeline. 

Mt Massive on the hike out

Freemont Pass (drive home)