engaging Trip Report. I am happy to say that I was the third person to click on this page. Now, all we need are some photos, if you have them. But, even without them, it's still a great report., and thanks for sharing.
I had the same experience in George Creek for the Sierra Challenge -- unless you find the trail, you're in for a world of hurt, and it ain't easy to find on the way up. Nice work dayhiking this.
Thanks Sean! It means a lot coming from you. We were actually just reading your 14ers record trip report a few weeks ago - sounds like an amazing challenge. We'll stick to day hiking them all, for now.
The first few sentence caught my attention on the main page. Why would someone do such a thing at the last minute? Doh! Sorry if I contributed. There have been several major avalanches in George Creek since I first ventured up there, and they've swept whole hillsides worth of trees into the canyon, changing it almost beyond recognition in places. I've been up there five or six times now and never taken the same path twice. Great fun!
Ha! No, Bob, you only contributed in the best of ways with your wealth of knowledge and vast experience, not only on this climb but on so many others. We appreciate all you do! It was our own hubris that lead us to day hike it. Always and adventure for sure, it really is a special and unique place.
I like the story, I did it last summer and enjoyed the labyrinth of the canyon entrance. It was difficult, not to find the way, just climbing over and under all the trees and brush in the heavy pack. But I couldn't make the toe of Carl Heller and gave up. I'll try in winter next time for the adventure of it all.
Three times up George Creek and the third time ended up bivying after losing the trail ... which we found 10 feet from where we spent an uncomfortable night. Would have loved to have that flashlight.
Congratulations! Awesome accomplishment!
I like the Bairs Creek route myself because the CLMRG always went up that way. In 2005 Mike F, Dan G and I day hiked Williamson. It was a heavy snow year and Bairs Creeks was still full of consolidated snow in May. It was the best day hike of my life. We started from the trailhead at 0342 and were on the summit at 1245. Then it only took us 3 hours flat to get back to the car because we were able to glissade almost the whole way back down to the "notch"! Pictures are on my Flickr account at https://www.flickr.com/photos/walterrnk/sets/72157645897634098/
Anyone who has been up George Creek, or anywhere on Williamson for that matter, understands the conflicting natures of the experience. On one hand you have the pain, misery, exhaustion, and feelings of utter defeat - and on the other, appreciation for the remoteness, beauty, and wild aspect of the area. I have been up George Creek three times, and while doing it hated most of it. Yet in my memory it stands as some of my fondest, and greatest adventures. I have also been up N. Bairs Creek twice with the same experience. It is my favorite sierra peak, probably because of my "history" with it. To sum it up, I love Mount Williamson, and I hate Mount Williamson – but I think I love it more. Y'all understand. :)
Marcsoltan - Jul 12, 2014 6:52 pm - Voted 10/10
Another...engaging Trip Report. I am happy to say that I was the third person to click on this page. Now, all we need are some photos, if you have them. But, even without them, it's still a great report., and thanks for sharing.
Marc
Voxaether - Jul 12, 2014 11:41 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Another...Thanks Marc! Photos are posted. I wish there were more but I was concentrating on things other than taking photos on this trip.
seano - Jul 19, 2014 3:09 pm - Voted 9/10
George Creek strikes again!I had the same experience in George Creek for the Sierra Challenge -- unless you find the trail, you're in for a world of hurt, and it ain't easy to find on the way up. Nice work dayhiking this.
Voxaether - Jul 25, 2014 12:30 am - Hasn't voted
Re: George Creek strikes again!Thanks Sean! It means a lot coming from you. We were actually just reading your 14ers record trip report a few weeks ago - sounds like an amazing challenge. We'll stick to day hiking them all, for now.
Bob Burd - Jul 31, 2014 6:03 pm - Voted 10/10
The fun of it all...The first few sentence caught my attention on the main page. Why would someone do such a thing at the last minute? Doh! Sorry if I contributed. There have been several major avalanches in George Creek since I first ventured up there, and they've swept whole hillsides worth of trees into the canyon, changing it almost beyond recognition in places. I've been up there five or six times now and never taken the same path twice. Great fun!
Voxaether - Aug 1, 2014 6:16 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: The fun of it all...Ha! No, Bob, you only contributed in the best of ways with your wealth of knowledge and vast experience, not only on this climb but on so many others. We appreciate all you do! It was our own hubris that lead us to day hike it. Always and adventure for sure, it really is a special and unique place.
awilsondc - Aug 1, 2014 10:18 am - Voted 10/10
Nice read!I thoroughly enjoyed reading this, thanks for posting!
oleata - Aug 1, 2014 6:01 pm - Hasn't voted
bushwhacking is funI like the story, I did it last summer and enjoyed the labyrinth of the canyon entrance. It was difficult, not to find the way, just climbing over and under all the trees and brush in the heavy pack. But I couldn't make the toe of Carl Heller and gave up. I'll try in winter next time for the adventure of it all.
bechtt - Aug 3, 2014 9:56 am - Voted 10/10
YupThree times up George Creek and the third time ended up bivying after losing the trail ... which we found 10 feet from where we spent an uncomfortable night. Would have loved to have that flashlight.
wrunkle - Aug 9, 2014 2:05 pm - Hasn't voted
Bairs CreekCongratulations! Awesome accomplishment!
I like the Bairs Creek route myself because the CLMRG always went up that way. In 2005 Mike F, Dan G and I day hiked Williamson. It was a heavy snow year and Bairs Creeks was still full of consolidated snow in May. It was the best day hike of my life. We started from the trailhead at 0342 and were on the summit at 1245. Then it only took us 3 hours flat to get back to the car because we were able to glissade almost the whole way back down to the "notch"! Pictures are on my Flickr account at https://www.flickr.com/photos/walterrnk/sets/72157645897634098/
JKolter - Feb 16, 2019 9:42 am - Hasn't voted
All familiarAnyone who has been up George Creek, or anywhere on Williamson for that matter, understands the conflicting natures of the experience. On one hand you have the pain, misery, exhaustion, and feelings of utter defeat - and on the other, appreciation for the remoteness, beauty, and wild aspect of the area. I have been up George Creek three times, and while doing it hated most of it. Yet in my memory it stands as some of my fondest, and greatest adventures. I have also been up N. Bairs Creek twice with the same experience. It is my favorite sierra peak, probably because of my "history" with it. To sum it up, I love Mount Williamson, and I hate Mount Williamson – but I think I love it more. Y'all understand. :)