Page Type:
|
Route |
|---|---|
Lat/Lon:
|
43.14440°N / 109.6486°W |
Route Type:
|
Rock/snow scramble |
|
Time Required:
|
A few days |
|
Difficulty:
|
Class 3 |
|
Approach
The Buttress is located in one of the most remote areas of the contiguous United States, in the northern Wind River Range in Wyoming. It is most easily accessible via the Elkhart Park trailhead. It is approximately 17 miles one-way from the trailhead to The Buttress.Follow the Pole Creek Trail NW to the trail split at Eklund Lake. Turn north onto the Titcomb Basin Trail and follow it all the way past the Titcomb Lakes. The Buttress is on the west (left) side of the upper Titcomb Lake. Cross the stream and head towards the saddle on the south side of The Buttress.
Route Description
Ascend the gully on the south side of The Buttress until you reach the saddle. This section is a mixture of class 2 / 3 rock talus with a small meadow sitting at about 1/4 of the way to the saddle. Once you reach the saddle, a few more steps and you'll be able to see Summer Ice Lake.Follow the false ridge around to the Northwest side of The Buttress and begin the final ascent towards the summit. Make your way up the Northwest Ridge. This is mostly a class-2 scramble up granite slabs and rock talus, with 2 or 3 class-3 sections. When we were there the granite slabs were covered in slushy snow and slippery. So we were boulder hopping as much as possible. You can pretty much choose whichever way looks easiest to you.