aarobkol - Aug 30, 2020 4:15 pm Date Climbed: Aug 29, 2020
Fun climb up west summit
I hiked up to the west summit of Mt Wood from camp at Mystic Lake on a clear August day. A word of advice: make sure to camp on the north side of the creek because finding my way across the log bridge in the dark in the morning was NOT easy.
The hike up the forested slope was rather tiresome. I cut east a little too soon, before the meadow, and climbed up a steep slope of small, loose rocks. I traversed the ridge all the way to the peak - the snowfield ended about 10 feet below the ridge and did not present a problem. On the way down I wanted to fill my water bottles so i picked my down along the side of the snowfield to the small pond below. One could easily climb that slope if the snow obstructed the ridgeline.
I decended from the plateau down a small drainage north of the meadow. This was much easier than the way I climbed up. Around this time dark clouds started building over Granite.
Peaker - Aug 7, 2020 8:02 pm Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2020
Mystic Lake Approach
Hiked up to the higher east summit from camp at the outlet of Island Lake. Wanted to scramble over to the west summit but an impending, though ultimately brief morning storm rushed us off the east summit after all of five minutes. Skies cleared by the time we were getting off the plateau, leading to an uneventful hike back to the trailhead. Solid outing camp to camp but nothing about the upper approach or scrambling was too bad.
kleinclimbs - Jul 29, 2020 3:01 pm Date Climbed: Jun 27, 2020
Via Chicken Creek and Pyramid Mountain
Started at the West Rosebud trail head, headed up Chicken Creek to Ram Lake, summited Pyramid Mountain from the back side of Ram Lake. Walked across the Plateau to Mt. Wood. Returned to the west rosebud trail head via the drainage that leads down between Island and Mystic lakes, we ended up having to wade across island lake to get to the trail.
freedeep - Mar 21, 2020 1:10 pm Date Climbed: Jul 20, 1986
Earn your summit on this day hike from Mystic Lake TH
South of Mt Wood, at the Mystic Lake Trailhead parking lot. Started hike before dawn, at end of the day back at the trailhead it was nearly too dark to see. Light fast alpine-style 6000 vertical feet to Mt Wood summit, then hike back out.
From Mystic Lake parking lot go north straight uphill, follow the steep gully of Chicken Creek. Go uphill to about 8400 foot elevation and turn west into the glacial valley. Go the length of the valley past the two small lakes. Head up the snowfield at the west end of the valley, then up to Mt Wood west and east summits.
On the return hike, just as I came off the west summit, an F-111 passed below me off to the side. With wings swept part way back, seeing that big fighter below me was very impressive. This was back in 1986. I included a photo of the plane similar to the one I saw.
Approached via Fishtail creek, bushwacking from below Chrome Lake. Spent the night between the upper two lakes. Had clear skies and great weather. Alpine start, up to the north glacier. Glacier was firm until the sun hit it, then became very slushy. The 'schrund was just beginning to show on the climb up to the saddle between east and west wood, a system of 5 cravasses, the largest spanning approximately 4 feet. The scramble to the west summit was 'airy' at best (given exposure, it could go for a class 4). Descended via the glaicer, belaying until we crossed the 'schrund, which had opened up considerably during our time up top. Glassaided to the bottom of the glacier and packed out via a difficult bushwack that evening. Great climb, next time will drop into the basin from the Stillwater Plateau and come out the same. God Bless <><
first try was brutal wind, second try was a awesome sun rise and success
First attempt in nov, of 2012 failed due to lack of time and weather, made it to dang near the summit at 12.500,, the second attempt proved to be in our fortune,,
Matt Lemke - Sep 12, 2015 12:13 pm Date Climbed: Sep 10, 2015
Via NE Ridge approached West Fishtail Creek
Beautiful September days! Hiked up W Fishtail Creek, camped at the upper lake and ascended the NE ridge/slopes and tagged both peaks. I then ran over to Pyramid Peak and hiked out the Stillwater Plateau. Excellent solo outing
13 hours total up and back. Great day with nice weather.
ianc82 - Feb 25, 2015 9:45 pm Date Climbed: Aug 10, 2014
Fun Couple Days
Climbed via Mystic Lake approach. Spent night near the North-Western shore of Mystic Lake. Bushwhacking up into basin from lake next morning was more tiring than I expected, (but the basin in of itself was worthwhile via this route.) I chose to follow the drainage, climbers left(west), which seemed to be the path of least resistance. From basin, general navigation became easier. Exceptional weather and visibility allowed for an incredible summit view. One of the more challenging hikes for my dog, but he did make it!
nickhowes - Sep 25, 2012 9:42 am Date Climbed: Sep 8, 2012
Great Trip
Climbed Mount Wood as part of a backpacking trip.
http://ghostwood.org/nick/trips/Beartooths2012/0.html
nickL - Aug 2, 2010 4:13 pm Date Climbed: Jul 30, 2010
SE arm of plateau
Very direct route from the Mystic Lake trailhead. Left my car at the Mystic Lake trailhead at 0600 and headed straight northwest up a brutally steep avalanche gulch that starts in a massive rock slide just above the dam town. Over 3000 vertical ft of bushwacking and getting bit by mosquitios and spiders just to get to the treeline. Fairly easy going across the plateau from there, picked my way up a huge snowfield to get to the west summit, then scrambled over to the east summmit and found the register in a rusty can buried under a cairn just beside the highest boulder. I figured id try my luck in a different gulch on the way off the plateau and ended up at the bottom of a V shaped nightmare and had to pick my way down a few waterfalls. I kissed my car when I finally got back. Little bit over 6000 vertical feet and about 5 miles (maybe?) one way distance. Took 6 hours to get to the top, spent about 60 glorious minutes between the 2 summits, and made it back to the car in about 4.5 hours. One of the toughest hikes ive ever done, but an unforgettable experience! If I were to do this mountain again I would definitly put in the extra miles to get to Mystic Lake and take a more mellow route to the top of the plateau.
peakhugger - Aug 23, 2009 9:05 pm Date Climbed: Aug 22, 2009
Wood via Stillwater Plateau
Took the Stillwater Plateau and dropped down into Upper Fishtail Creek Lakes (8-9 miles). Camped at uppermost lake for the night. The next day, climbed the northeast ridge to the east and then west summits. According to our GPS reading, the east summit was approximately 10ft higher than the west. The traverse along the ridge in between the summits held upper class-3 moves and some fun exposure at times. Came back down the same route but exited the backcountry via awful bushwhacking in dense woods and downed timber along West Fishtail Creek to Chrome Lake. Would not necessarily recommend either route, but the views from the plateau and the summits were incredible! Nice not to see any people (other than my lovely wife) for three days.
P.S. Look for prescription bottle holding small summit register on east summit (no register found on west).
Me and 2 friends climbed as a day hike from Mystic Lake. The climb was honestly not that hard, but no fun. The summit views are better than Granite, so If you have an extra day it would be worth the run over there.
Wood is a slog. I don't know what else to say about it. I took different routes up/down the plateau, and can't say I found one I liked. The rocks were loose, and the vegetation was thick, but the incredible views of Granite and the surrounding plateaus made the climb worth the effort.
VincePoore - Aug 17, 2006 3:41 am Date Climbed: Aug 23, 2008
Electrifying
On my first attempt on July 9th, 2006, I climbed the south east ridge via a camp at the northwest end of Mystic lake. Should have started sooner or climbed faster because a thunderstorm at 2:30pm stopped me about a 100 ft short. My hat was buzzing as it charged with static electricity. I tried to wait it out, but it looked like things were only going to get worse. Definately worth it though and the view of Granite Peak from this climb is outstanding. I'll be back.
Edit: Came back and conquered both peaks on Aug, 23rd 2008. Camped in meadow east of Mystic Equinox Tower first day and made it up and back to car at 10pm on second day.
gato - Feb 14, 2006 2:01 am Date Climbed: Feb 12, 2006
Beartooth Adventure
Unbelievable day for a winter ascent of Mt. Wood. Warm and sunny, with peaks visible for hundreds of miles. Not such great skiing but then you can't have it all...
b. - Feb 13, 2006 3:46 pm Date Climbed: Feb 12, 2006
Bluebird February Day
Skied in and camped across from Mystic Equinox. Climbed in unusually warm conditions, with views of the Tetons and everything else in Southwestern Montana and Northwestern Wyoming.
Route Climbed: North Ridge Date Climbed: 31 July 2004
Climbed the north ridge in a day via the Stillwater plateau. Parked at the Benbow Mine at about 8500' and crossed the plateau. Timing was about 6 hr. up and 6 hr. down. N Ridge is steep and technical in places. We avoided vertical sections by traversing the west side of the mountain whenever necessary and regaining the ridge when possible. Technically, this route is pretty similar to the top 200' on the E Ridge of Granite....but there's about 1800' of it. Went to West summit only. For the descent, its easiest just to drop most of the way to Wood Lake and traverse back to the plateau.
Route Climbed: south face via mystic lake Date Climbed: September 14, 2002
Set out at about 7:30 am and hiked to mystic via the tram line and then went for the top. The weather was great all day making our trip pleasant, but since this was only my second peak I'd ever climbed, I learned the hard way that smartwool socks are essential. I got about 12 blisters with my cotton socks.
aarobkol - Aug 30, 2020 4:15 pm Date Climbed: Aug 29, 2020
Fun climb up west summitI hiked up to the west summit of Mt Wood from camp at Mystic Lake on a clear August day. A word of advice: make sure to camp on the north side of the creek because finding my way across the log bridge in the dark in the morning was NOT easy.
The hike up the forested slope was rather tiresome. I cut east a little too soon, before the meadow, and climbed up a steep slope of small, loose rocks. I traversed the ridge all the way to the peak - the snowfield ended about 10 feet below the ridge and did not present a problem. On the way down I wanted to fill my water bottles so i picked my down along the side of the snowfield to the small pond below. One could easily climb that slope if the snow obstructed the ridgeline.
I decended from the plateau down a small drainage north of the meadow. This was much easier than the way I climbed up. Around this time dark clouds started building over Granite.
Peaker - Aug 7, 2020 8:02 pm Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2020
Mystic Lake ApproachHiked up to the higher east summit from camp at the outlet of Island Lake. Wanted to scramble over to the west summit but an impending, though ultimately brief morning storm rushed us off the east summit after all of five minutes. Skies cleared by the time we were getting off the plateau, leading to an uneventful hike back to the trailhead. Solid outing camp to camp but nothing about the upper approach or scrambling was too bad.
kleinclimbs - Jul 29, 2020 3:01 pm Date Climbed: Jun 27, 2020
Via Chicken Creek and Pyramid MountainStarted at the West Rosebud trail head, headed up Chicken Creek to Ram Lake, summited Pyramid Mountain from the back side of Ram Lake. Walked across the Plateau to Mt. Wood. Returned to the west rosebud trail head via the drainage that leads down between Island and Mystic lakes, we ended up having to wade across island lake to get to the trail.
freedeep - Mar 21, 2020 1:10 pm Date Climbed: Jul 20, 1986
Earn your summit on this day hike from Mystic Lake THSouth of Mt Wood, at the Mystic Lake Trailhead parking lot. Started hike before dawn, at end of the day back at the trailhead it was nearly too dark to see. Light fast alpine-style 6000 vertical feet to Mt Wood summit, then hike back out.
From Mystic Lake parking lot go north straight uphill, follow the steep gully of Chicken Creek. Go uphill to about 8400 foot elevation and turn west into the glacial valley. Go the length of the valley past the two small lakes. Head up the snowfield at the west end of the valley, then up to Mt Wood west and east summits.
On the return hike, just as I came off the west summit, an F-111 passed below me off to the side. With wings swept part way back, seeing that big fighter below me was very impressive. This was back in 1986. I included a photo of the plane similar to the one I saw.
BrackenVSpencer - Jul 18, 2017 12:46 pm Date Climbed: Jul 13, 2017
North Glacier Via Fishtail LakesApproached via Fishtail creek, bushwacking from below Chrome Lake. Spent the night between the upper two lakes. Had clear skies and great weather. Alpine start, up to the north glacier. Glacier was firm until the sun hit it, then became very slushy. The 'schrund was just beginning to show on the climb up to the saddle between east and west wood, a system of 5 cravasses, the largest spanning approximately 4 feet. The scramble to the west summit was 'airy' at best (given exposure, it could go for a class 4). Descended via the glaicer, belaying until we crossed the 'schrund, which had opened up considerably during our time up top. Glassaided to the bottom of the glacier and packed out via a difficult bushwack that evening. Great climb, next time will drop into the basin from the Stillwater Plateau and come out the same. God Bless <><
josephbschmitt0415 - Jul 13, 2016 11:55 pm Date Climbed: Sep 29, 2012
Via Mystic LakeCamped in meadow east of Mystic Equinox Tower with a fantastic view of Granite. Fun scramble to the East and West summits from the tarn.
pintlerpro - Apr 23, 2016 4:01 pm Date Climbed: Sep 15, 2015
first try was brutal wind, second try was a awesome sun rise and successFirst attempt in nov, of 2012 failed due to lack of time and weather, made it to dang near the summit at 12.500,, the second attempt proved to be in our fortune,,
Matt Lemke - Sep 12, 2015 12:13 pm Date Climbed: Sep 10, 2015
Via NE Ridge approached West Fishtail CreekBeautiful September days! Hiked up W Fishtail Creek, camped at the upper lake and ascended the NE ridge/slopes and tagged both peaks. I then ran over to Pyramid Peak and hiked out the Stillwater Plateau. Excellent solo outing
russw - Sep 1, 2015 4:30 pm
Mystic trailhead13 hours total up and back. Great day with nice weather.
ianc82 - Feb 25, 2015 9:45 pm Date Climbed: Aug 10, 2014
Fun Couple DaysClimbed via Mystic Lake approach. Spent night near the North-Western shore of Mystic Lake. Bushwhacking up into basin from lake next morning was more tiring than I expected, (but the basin in of itself was worthwhile via this route.) I chose to follow the drainage, climbers left(west), which seemed to be the path of least resistance. From basin, general navigation became easier. Exceptional weather and visibility allowed for an incredible summit view. One of the more challenging hikes for my dog, but he did make it!
nickhowes - Sep 25, 2012 9:42 am Date Climbed: Sep 8, 2012
Great TripClimbed Mount Wood as part of a backpacking trip.
http://ghostwood.org/nick/trips/Beartooths2012/0.html
nickL - Aug 2, 2010 4:13 pm Date Climbed: Jul 30, 2010
SE arm of plateauVery direct route from the Mystic Lake trailhead. Left my car at the Mystic Lake trailhead at 0600 and headed straight northwest up a brutally steep avalanche gulch that starts in a massive rock slide just above the dam town. Over 3000 vertical ft of bushwacking and getting bit by mosquitios and spiders just to get to the treeline. Fairly easy going across the plateau from there, picked my way up a huge snowfield to get to the west summit, then scrambled over to the east summmit and found the register in a rusty can buried under a cairn just beside the highest boulder. I figured id try my luck in a different gulch on the way off the plateau and ended up at the bottom of a V shaped nightmare and had to pick my way down a few waterfalls. I kissed my car when I finally got back. Little bit over 6000 vertical feet and about 5 miles (maybe?) one way distance. Took 6 hours to get to the top, spent about 60 glorious minutes between the 2 summits, and made it back to the car in about 4.5 hours. One of the toughest hikes ive ever done, but an unforgettable experience! If I were to do this mountain again I would definitly put in the extra miles to get to Mystic Lake and take a more mellow route to the top of the plateau.
peakhugger - Aug 23, 2009 9:05 pm Date Climbed: Aug 22, 2009
Wood via Stillwater PlateauTook the Stillwater Plateau and dropped down into Upper Fishtail Creek Lakes (8-9 miles). Camped at uppermost lake for the night. The next day, climbed the northeast ridge to the east and then west summits. According to our GPS reading, the east summit was approximately 10ft higher than the west. The traverse along the ridge in between the summits held upper class-3 moves and some fun exposure at times. Came back down the same route but exited the backcountry via awful bushwhacking in dense woods and downed timber along West Fishtail Creek to Chrome Lake. Would not necessarily recommend either route, but the views from the plateau and the summits were incredible! Nice not to see any people (other than my lovely wife) for three days.
P.S. Look for prescription bottle holding small summit register on east summit (no register found on west).
northface28 - Jul 22, 2008 2:54 pm Date Climbed: Jul 14, 2008
Great ViewMe and 2 friends climbed as a day hike from Mystic Lake. The climb was honestly not that hard, but no fun. The summit views are better than Granite, so If you have an extra day it would be worth the run over there.
MattGreene - Dec 1, 2007 6:39 pm
Tiring DayWood is a slog. I don't know what else to say about it. I took different routes up/down the plateau, and can't say I found one I liked. The rocks were loose, and the vegetation was thick, but the incredible views of Granite and the surrounding plateaus made the climb worth the effort.
VincePoore - Aug 17, 2006 3:41 am Date Climbed: Aug 23, 2008
ElectrifyingOn my first attempt on July 9th, 2006, I climbed the south east ridge via a camp at the northwest end of Mystic lake. Should have started sooner or climbed faster because a thunderstorm at 2:30pm stopped me about a 100 ft short. My hat was buzzing as it charged with static electricity. I tried to wait it out, but it looked like things were only going to get worse. Definately worth it though and the view of Granite Peak from this climb is outstanding. I'll be back.
Edit: Came back and conquered both peaks on Aug, 23rd 2008. Camped in meadow east of Mystic Equinox Tower first day and made it up and back to car at 10pm on second day.
gato - Feb 14, 2006 2:01 am Date Climbed: Feb 12, 2006
Beartooth AdventureUnbelievable day for a winter ascent of Mt. Wood. Warm and sunny, with peaks visible for hundreds of miles. Not such great skiing but then you can't have it all...
b. - Feb 13, 2006 3:46 pm Date Climbed: Feb 12, 2006
Bluebird February DaySkied in and camped across from Mystic Equinox. Climbed in unusually warm conditions, with views of the Tetons and everything else in Southwestern Montana and Northwestern Wyoming.
paulstu - May 26, 2005 1:41 pm
Route Climbed: North Ridge Date Climbed: 31 July 2004Climbed the north ridge in a day via the Stillwater plateau. Parked at the Benbow Mine at about 8500' and crossed the plateau. Timing was about 6 hr. up and 6 hr. down. N Ridge is steep and technical in places. We avoided vertical sections by traversing the west side of the mountain whenever necessary and regaining the ridge when possible. Technically, this route is pretty similar to the top 200' on the E Ridge of Granite....but there's about 1800' of it. Went to West summit only. For the descent, its easiest just to drop most of the way to Wood Lake and traverse back to the plateau.
granitegrabber - Oct 20, 2004 12:43 am
Route Climbed: south face via mystic lake Date Climbed: September 14, 2002Set out at about 7:30 am and hiked to mystic via the tram line and then went for the top. The weather was great all day making our trip pleasant, but since this was only my second peak I'd ever climbed, I learned the hard way that smartwool socks are essential. I got about 12 blisters with my cotton socks.