See more trip photos here.
See other Putrid Petes Peak (PPP) trips here; Web Mountain trips here.
Access: Ira Spring Trailhead
Round Trip: 8.5 miles
Elevation Range: 2160′-5335′
Gear: microspikes
Ira Spring Trailhead
Pup’s and my first time climbing both high points on the same trip. In the past, we would climb Web Mountain from Exit 38 for the shorter drive and use the same approach as Dirty Harrys Peak, and PPP from the Ira Spring Trailhead for the shorter climbing distance.
Small potholes strewed the 3.8-mile drive on the otherwise good shape Mason Lake Road. Fewer than a dozen cars at the trailhead on a Friday before noon. At the first switchback, we took the inconspicuous spur trail and hiked three-quarters of a mile before gaining real elevation.
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Putrid Petes Peak
I used microspikes past 3600′ once trail became icy and dusted with snow. Just past the small section of the talus at the first clearing, the trail became dry, and microspikes weren’t needed again until PPP came into view at 4400′. Depending on the snow quality, we’d occasionally follow old boot tracks from here to the summit.
Due to limited daylight, we briefly stood on PPP before heading to our second objective of the day–Web Mountain. We got down below the summit’s downsloping slabs and began the short traverse northwestbound on the connecting ridge. Not enough snow coverage to benefit from snowshoes, so I kept microspikes on the entire way.
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Web Mountain Summit Views
We stayed on the ridge crest for the most part. A few sections of partially snow-covered downsloping slabs with potential for slippage required us to traverse below the rocks instead. The absence of the 15-20 mph wind gusts in the weather forecast made this a much enjoyable traverse.
A little windy on top, but we were able to take refuge behind rocks overlooking Spider Lake Basin on the north side. Despite the light haze, the crisp winter air coupled with evening colors enhanced the clarity of high points from near and far. This was the first time I noticed Mount Hinman and Mount Daniel from this summit.
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Mason Lake After Dark
After reversing our route back to PPP and right before sunset, I decided to make a loop out of the trip by continuing down the east ridge toward Mount Defiance. Since we’d pick up the trail somewhere west of the mountain, I was fine with heading back down in the dark. Many exposed rocks on the ridge; microspikes alone worked out well.
We were able to stay on the ridge crest to the east end of the ridge and eventually picked up the nicely packed Mount Defiance Trail below west of the mountain. We quickly made our way down to Mason Lake outlet (2.5 miles from PPP) in the dark and took a photo break.
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Back to Ira Spring Trailhead
Descending the old trail was smooth sailing until we reached the talus field at 3800′. The boot tracks in the snow turned around here and appeared to have gone back up to the Mason Lake Trail. Pup and I slowly crossed the partially snow-covered boulders while following large stacks of cairns to the west end of the talus.
Before re-entering the forest, we noticed some boot tracks on this side as well, that had turned around just before crossing the talus. It took us some time to locate the trail that initially climbed up the slopes before making its way down the ridge toward the Ira Spring Trail.
See more trip photos here.
See more trip photos here.