Froze-to-Death Plateau

Approach

See the Getting There section on the main page for directions to the trailhead.

Route Description

Go west from the parking lot through the Mystic Lake powerplant and follow the trail on the north side of the creek. It crosses over to the south side and just before you reach Mystic Lake, there is a short series of switchbacks. This section is about 3 miles long and gains about 1200 feet. Go down then a series of switchbacks towards the Mystic Lake Dam that then travels west along the south side of the lake. In about a half mile, you'll come to the sign for the Phantom Creek Trail. Turn left here and begin a long series of switchbacks (about 26 of them) that gains you about 3000 feet in just over 2 miles. The path crosses a creek about 4 times before a long section with no water until almost the top when it crosses a distinct drainage.

The trail gains the bottom of Froze-to-Death Plateau and you will travel southeasterly rising about 1500 feet over about the next 2.5 miles. You can gain FTD Plateau earlier if you want to climb a steep section. There is an obvious broad section though where you will know you are on the Plateau (save for bad visibility).

Along the Plateau are a series of rock mounds on the sides. Just head between them until you crest the Plateau and see Granite Peak and Tempest Mountain for the first time. Aim for the saddle between the two. There is a cliff at the southern end of FTD Plateau with a high rock mound to your right. Head over the mound or slightly on the left side until you see the obvious ridge that then heads south to the summit of Tempest. Climb the gentle slopes in rock or snow to the summit.

Essential Gear

Backpacking gear in summer. Add crampons and axe for winter or snowy conditions. Lots of accessible water along the route until about August.

Miscellaneous Info

If you have information about this route that doesn't pertain to any of the other sections, please add it here.

Images

View Froze-to-Death Plateau Image Gallery - 5 Images