Ref: The Raffinator
** Additional information on the approach can be found on my Junction Mountain page **
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This bonfire site indicates the Junction-Pyriform Trail heading east.
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Scramble: RT 13.0; 6.75 up. Pyriform Mountain is alluring; I was thrilled to come across Rob Eastik's trip report
a while back, even if the route is vaguely described. Since then,
several routes have been described such as the traverse from
Junction and the ascent of the north-west ridge of Pyriform; both
of these require moderately difficult scrambling. Raff also climbed
this obscure objective via Junction Creek recently, he informed me that
the scramble up the west slopes is only class 2. That was the perfect
objective to undertake as a solo trip; I had hiked the Junction Creek
Trail two weeks prior, I knew the level of the river and I also knew
the location of the Junction-Pyriform Trail. My plan was to walk the
Junction Creek Trail in the dark, this would give me plenty of time to
trudge in the snow at treeline and beyond. Once again, I left Golden
and drove to the trailhead. The following morning I started in the
dark, crossed the river and hiked the trail. Déjà vu, except for the
darkness and how wet, muddy and slick the rutted trail was. Once on the
secondary trail, I hiked past where I had turned off for Junction the other
week and continued all the way to treeline on Pyriform's north-west ridge,
615002. I lost the trail due to snow cover but from there, I began
traversing towards the ascent slopes. I roughly skirted treeline in
boot-top snow heading south with Pyriform's cliffs looming above on
my left. After crossing the prominent west facing drainage, I started
my ascent on the snowy slopes. The snow
was shallow and wind-driven, this was better than loose talus. It was
really windy so there was not much stopping. At the summit block, I
went around on the west side and handrailed the cliffs until I was able
to climb on the summit ridge. I was careful here, there was enough
drifted snow to create unstable pockets. Following a short scramble, I
gained the blocky ridge crest and walked to the southern point which is
the summit. The wind was brutal and the snow was pricking my face. My
fingers froze quickly as I took pictures of the grey scenery, the view
was greatly reduced but the amazing strata of the jagged
Dogtooth Ridge really caught my attention, I love this ridge! I don't think I stayed 5 minutes before
leaving. I was now facing the wind and I really regretted forgetting my
goggles, I squinted and blindly retraced my way off the ridge; I was
really happy to reach some shelter at treeline. Backtracking was
uneventful and long but I was in my happy place. I reached the truck
just before dark, it was a really good trip!
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The trail continues on the other side of Junction Creek. |
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A little waterfall at the creek crossing.
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A beautiful pond a bit further.
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The trail is picked up beyond this smaller creek.
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The Junction-Pyriform Trail is worth locating.
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The trail continues past the Junction-Pyriform drainage and ascends Pyriform's north-west ridge.
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At treeline, I sidehilled heading south towards Pyriform's west facing draw.
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Pyriform's cliffs are draped with ice.
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Nearing the draw with the ascent slopes ahead.
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Pyriform's west facing drainage.
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The ascent slopes.
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Dogtooth Ridge is truly impressive.
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More of the ascent slopes, the snow helped.
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The Hair of the Dog on the jagged ridge.
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The strata on Dogtooth Ridge is striking!
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The cliffy summit ridge comes in view.
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Handrailing the cliffs on the west side until I can find a way to climb above.
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A short scramble delivers me on the summit ridge.
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The summit up ahead.
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At the top with very little visibility and a cold strong wind, Dogtooth Mountain just south of me.
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I love this impressive ridge but I can't see Patterson's Peak beyond.
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View north towards Junction Mountain.
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Heading down with the wind in my face, I wish I had my goggles...
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Junction Mountain is barely visible (right of center).
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Retracing my steps down the west facing slopes.
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A lull in the wind before all hell breaks loose!
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Here we go again...
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Windy like hell.
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Happy to reach treeline and shelter.
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Backtracking to my sidehilling traverse.
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Sidehilling.
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Glancing at the icy cliffs of the north-west ridge of Pyriform. |
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Back on the Junction-Pyriform Trail.
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The trail is easy to follow and not as messy as the main trail.
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A cool pond a short distance from the main trail.
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Back on the Junction Creek Trail.
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Wet, muddy and rutted; where are the cowboys when you need them?
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On the gravel flats, the trail remains on the west side.
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Mud fest.
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Neat but slippery when wet.
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Sheep River crossing, brrrr.....
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