Not a bad route if you move west at around 12,800 feet onto more solid rock. There are outstanding views from the ridge to the summit.
Michael Graupe - Aug 2, 2010 4:51 pm Date Climbed: Aug 1, 2010
From Horton Lake TH
Climbed the ribs above the mine to avoid the loose stuff which worked out great. Awesome views! Little more than 8 hours car to car.
wmolland - May 2, 2010 12:29 am Date Climbed: Apr 26, 2010
Elderberry Canyon Ski Descent
On the snow after only 20 minutes of hiking, then a long ways up to the north ridge and up to the summit. It is a LONG way from the ridge to the summit, much longer than I thought. Awesome 5000 foot ski descent all the way back almost to my car. Sweet canyon and an awesome ride down.
Up the Gables Lake trail from Pine Creek, then across to the Hanging Valley mine, up the west ridge, then descend to the other mines and down the slot canyons. nice day.
cottersnow - Nov 29, 2009 7:55 pm Date Climbed: Nov 10, 2005
North Ridge
I've done this route twice. The most memorable was when we camped on the ridge at 12,500' or so and drank a ton of whiskey and ate jelly bellys
sardude - Sep 23, 2009 6:44 pm Date Climbed: May 26, 2003
did it
Did with my 7-year-old son. first time was the year before
Great views from the top and we picked the perfect day as there wasn't a cloud in sight. The approach via the scree above the mine was less than pleasant but it gets better near the top.
MoapaPk - Aug 30, 2009 9:14 pm Date Climbed: Aug 29, 2009
slog slog slog slog
Horton Lakes route: try crossing to ridge S of gully, after Tungstar Mine.
boyblue - Aug 23, 2009 3:29 pm Date Climbed: May 27, 1984
Gable Lakes
I camped near the middle lake of the 3 southern Gable Lakes. From camp I climbed and traversed peak 12120+ to gain Hanging Valley. Climbed Tom via southwest ridge- staying on crest as much as possible. Great view! Clear and windy. Explored some of the mines on the way back. Climbed peak 12200+ and traversed back to and over peak 12120+ to get back to camp.
A great mountain. Good geology and mining history. Climbed with Nina and Ed.
mrchad9 - Jul 1, 2009 9:32 pm Date Climbed: May 18, 2009
Horton Lakes
Soloed up the SW ridge- to avoid the scree. No snow on the route but hailed and snowed a little on the way down- super views remained even so. From trailhead to summit absolutely one of the most scenic hikes I've done- I'd definitely go back.
No views from summit due to whiteout conditions. I traversed to far south and had to descend a sketchy south chute down to below Horton Lake. Lucky I didn't cliff out.
ScottyS - Jul 2, 2008 8:08 pm Date Climbed: Jun 30, 2008
Horton Lakes
Went up the typical route, 4:20 to the top from the gate. Been awhile since I got up a Sierra peak, it felt great. We stuck to the better talus ribs straight up from the mine portal to the ridge, then took the ridge to the top. The sandy, loose stuff is for the descent only!
hikinedd - Jul 1, 2008 5:52 pm Date Climbed: Aug 21, 2005
From Horton Lakes
Sierra Club WTC trip led perfectly by Melissa K.
Brian Kalet - Apr 14, 2008 8:33 pm Date Climbed: Apr 11, 2008
Bill562 - Mar 31, 2008 12:07 pm Date Climbed: Mar 29, 2008
Horton Lake
Climbed with Dave Gonzalez with a camp at Horton Lake. I was too slow and the deteriorating weather finally made me turn around at about 300 ft below the summit. Dave topped out though.
bighornmonkey - Mar 4, 2008 2:47 am Date Climbed: Mar 2, 2008
Done...
car-to-summit-to-car in a day in 17 hours total. North Ridge route up and down.
Bob Burd - Jan 4, 2011 10:07 pm Date Climbed: Sep 26, 2004
Horton LakesWith Matthew. Trip Report
BranchWhitney - Sep 12, 2010 6:41 pm Date Climbed: Sep 10, 2010
Horton LakeNot a bad route if you move west at around 12,800 feet onto more solid rock. There are outstanding views from the ridge to the summit.
Michael Graupe - Aug 2, 2010 4:51 pm Date Climbed: Aug 1, 2010
From Horton Lake THClimbed the ribs above the mine to avoid the loose stuff which worked out great. Awesome views! Little more than 8 hours car to car.
wmolland - May 2, 2010 12:29 am Date Climbed: Apr 26, 2010
Elderberry Canyon Ski DescentOn the snow after only 20 minutes of hiking, then a long ways up to the north ridge and up to the summit. It is a LONG way from the ridge to the summit, much longer than I thought. Awesome 5000 foot ski descent all the way back almost to my car. Sweet canyon and an awesome ride down.
Princess Buttercup - Nov 30, 2009 11:59 pm Date Climbed: Sep 13, 2008
From Pine CreekUp the Gables Lake trail from Pine Creek, then across to the Hanging Valley mine, up the west ridge, then descend to the other mines and down the slot canyons. nice day.
cottersnow - Nov 29, 2009 7:55 pm Date Climbed: Nov 10, 2005
North RidgeI've done this route twice. The most memorable was when we camped on the ridge at 12,500' or so and drank a ton of whiskey and ate jelly bellys
sardude - Sep 23, 2009 6:44 pm Date Climbed: May 26, 2003
did itDid with my 7-year-old son. first time was the year before
mhengst - Sep 22, 2009 5:15 pm Date Climbed: Sep 20, 2009
Climbed from Horton LakesGreat views from the top and we picked the perfect day as there wasn't a cloud in sight. The approach via the scree above the mine was less than pleasant but it gets better near the top.
MoapaPk - Aug 30, 2009 9:14 pm Date Climbed: Aug 29, 2009
slog slog slog slogHorton Lakes route: try crossing to ridge S of gully, after Tungstar Mine.
boyblue - Aug 23, 2009 3:29 pm Date Climbed: May 27, 1984
Gable LakesI camped near the middle lake of the 3 southern Gable Lakes. From camp I climbed and traversed peak 12120+ to gain Hanging Valley. Climbed Tom via southwest ridge- staying on crest as much as possible. Great view! Clear and windy. Explored some of the mines on the way back. Climbed peak 12200+ and traversed back to and over peak 12120+ to get back to camp.
bruceg - Jul 31, 2009 2:34 pm Date Climbed: Jul 6, 1991
Horton LakeA great mountain. Good geology and mining history. Climbed with Nina and Ed.
mrchad9 - Jul 1, 2009 9:32 pm Date Climbed: May 18, 2009
Horton LakesSoloed up the SW ridge- to avoid the scree. No snow on the route but hailed and snowed a little on the way down- super views remained even so. From trailhead to summit absolutely one of the most scenic hikes I've done- I'd definitely go back.
paisajeroamericano - Oct 21, 2008 6:53 pm Date Climbed: Oct 14, 2008
ground control to major tomfantastic views due to its location east of the crest... cool plaques remain on summit from ascents in the 1930s... climbed via horton lakes
dpsiebert - Aug 22, 2008 6:21 am
Horton LakeNo views from summit due to whiteout conditions. I traversed to far south and had to descend a sketchy south chute down to below Horton Lake. Lucky I didn't cliff out.
Sam Roberts - Jul 31, 2008 6:54 pm
Horton LakesDay hiked up the road.
ScottyS - Jul 2, 2008 8:08 pm Date Climbed: Jun 30, 2008
Horton LakesWent up the typical route, 4:20 to the top from the gate. Been awhile since I got up a Sierra peak, it felt great. We stuck to the better talus ribs straight up from the mine portal to the ridge, then took the ridge to the top. The sandy, loose stuff is for the descent only!
hikinedd - Jul 1, 2008 5:52 pm Date Climbed: Aug 21, 2005
From Horton LakesSierra Club WTC trip led perfectly by Melissa K.
Brian Kalet - Apr 14, 2008 8:33 pm Date Climbed: Apr 11, 2008
Elderberry CanyonTrip Report
Bill562 - Mar 31, 2008 12:07 pm Date Climbed: Mar 29, 2008
Horton LakeClimbed with Dave Gonzalez with a camp at Horton Lake. I was too slow and the deteriorating weather finally made me turn around at about 300 ft below the summit. Dave topped out though.
bighornmonkey - Mar 4, 2008 2:47 am Date Climbed: Mar 2, 2008
Done...car-to-summit-to-car in a day in 17 hours total. North Ridge route up and down.