A long dirt road approach run finishes on a short but fun 3rd class scramble in the Owyhee Mountains.
Date: February 10, 2018.
Objective:
Shares Snout 4,837ft.
Partners: N/A.
Stats: 12.2 miles and 3,000ft gain. Class 3 summit block.
Strava track.
Gear notes: N/A.
This area of the Owyhee's keeps catching my eye. There are a few peaks and potential for some decent mileage. Keep in mind you can basically drive to within a half mile of this peak. I parked in the large pullout on Clark Road just south of Sommer Camp Road, strapped shoes on my feet and hit it. It was a rather windy day but at least the sun was out. The roads were in pretty good shape and were quite runnable (and driveable) but there were a few steep grades to deal with.
The off trail/road section to the base of the class 3 scramble was mostly grass and not super difficult. I had no idea what would be considered the standard route so I just picked a line and headed up. The birds of the area are quite fond of the rocks that comprise the summit. The otherwise dark colored rock was generously spackled white. There were a few fun and kinda airy moves to the top. Being very lightly dressed and exposed to the cold wind meant I wasn't going to linger. After snapping a few pictures and slurping down a gel, I made like a banana and split. The wind was strong out of the Northwest, which equaled a headwind most of the way back. I was within about 2 miles of the car before I could peel my jacket off.
Pictures:
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Shares Snout is the rocky point in the center background. |
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Running along the road. |
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Rhyolite. |
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Shares Snout. |
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Class 3 lies ahead. |
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Summit block and crux moves. |
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Summit view. |
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Summit. |
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Looking south. |
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Looking east. |
Happy trails!