NORTH STAR MOUNTAIN (13,614’)

July 28, 2012

By Tim Briese

8.5 miles, 3100’ elevation gain, 6:05 roundtrip time

North Star was Brian’s final Bicentennial peak to climb. I had climbed it a few years before but of course I could not miss this opportunity to join him on this climb since the Bicentennials had been a joint quest of ours over the course of many years! Brian saved this one for last because North Star is the namesake of his native Minnesota. What a fitting choice! Joining us on the climb were Brian’s friend Dave Chamberlin as well as Mark Silas, who had been with us on the San Juan backpack we had just completed the day before.

We all met at Hoosier Pass and a few minutes after 7 a.m. headed west on foot up the old road that climbs up the ridge to the west. We soon left the trees and climbed on higher up the old road through grassy tundra. 

brian had good reason to have a smile on his face today!

brian, dave, and mark

We followed the road all the way to an old mine below the left side of the ridge, enjoying fine jovial conversation all the way.

on the road to the old mine.  the summit of north star is at the far left.

From the mine we took a climbers trail that climbed a few hundred feet to the ridge and then headed west along its crest.

hiking along the crest of the ridge

There were several points to hike over and an occasional bit of fun rock scrambling, and a goat even posed for us along the way.

the goat couldn't have posed better for us if we had paid it!

We walked up to the summit and Brian touched the top about 10 a.m., completing the grand multiyear quest! We all reveled in the moment for a while and took numerous photos. 

brian on number 202!

you complete the bicentennials only once!

mark, brian, and dave on the summit

brian and i

brian signing the register for number 202!

We departed after a while and headed back down. We soon approached a ridge point to be re-climbed but Mark left the ridge and led us down on a descending traverse across an extensive talus slope. After a while the footing began to take a toll on my sore knees so Brian and I headed back up to the ridge while the other two continued the descending traverse and we all presently met up at the old mine. We hiked on down the old road back to the pass where we arrived shortly after 1 p.m. Brian, Mark, and I drove into Frisco to share a celebratory lunch and then I headed for home.