Re: Mt. Clark/Florence questions

Hello!

I want to plan a trip to Mt. Clark and Mt. Florence with 3-4 days of hiking.

1. Is it possible to start from the Mono Trailhead and only use around 3-4 days?
2. How crowded has it been in the past?
3. What kind of snow levels can you expect over 4th of July? Last week of Aug?
4. Can anyone comment on Clark with regards to the climbing part?

Is it mostly like this picture I found on summitpost?
I've searched for a lot of information and I've found that it seems like it would be a great experience I'm just worried about the snow levels.

I'll say a bunch but let's start with this shot of Florence I took from Glacier Pt. on May 20th:

Maclure and Lyell are on each side. And the Cony Crags are visible on the right edge about 1/3 up.

Here's Clark Range w/ Starr King in foreground:

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Just so you know I haven't been up either yet.
Florence is class 2. Clark to my understanding is class 3.
That picture of Clark is probably misleading. But I am speculating on account
I'm pretty sure that is Bob Burb and he doesn't always go the easiest way.

NW Arete is the way to go. Was on the other side and didn't even sniff around much.

3-4 days for both. Well I'm sure people out there could do it since people dayhike Clark.
But, both are well over 50 miles.
Your route would almost have to be:
Mono Mdw->Clark->Clark Canyon->Merced Lake->Lewis Creek->High Trail->Florence
July 4th a different route has other issues

I would pick one and go for it with 3-4 days. Florence from Rafferty. Clark from Mono.
Trying to do both... dunno. Ok in August, not July 4th. Snow will slow you down.
My best guess is you'll still have to deal with it above 9600 around Clark and Florence.
Florence from Rafferty on July 4th (if road opens) would be very interesting...

I would be very surprised if you saw anyone around Florence. Maybe around Clark but again
I would be surprised if more than one other group.

If you're just gunning for those peaks... you will miss out on some stuff you may want to explore.
Cony Crags are very interesting. Mt. Starr King, Mdw, Lake w/ views shouldn't be missed...

If you haven't been at all then I'd recommend just picking one and explore more.

Ok?

I have some pix of Clark Canyon and other areas if you want to see anything.

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Interesting ideas - I still have one or two long weekends to fill later in the summer, might try to squeeze in a visit around the area (Cony Crags have always looks interesting)

Here's a couple shots of Cony. Neat "little" feature.
When circumnavigated it in 2006 didn't make it to the top... been meaning to go back and try again.
A lot of fun climbing around on it.

Taken from Foerster w/ Hoffman in the background:


and one from the NW side:


Florence can be seen from Cony... it's just a slog up... but one I haven't taken yet...

Have fun

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Quote
chick-on
That picture of Clark is probably misleading. But I am speculating on account
I'm pretty sure that is Bob Burb and he doesn't always go the easiest way.

NW Arete is the way to go. Was on the other side and didn't even sniff around much.

Found that picture on Bob's site. It's what I thought. That's him going up Gendarme.

Clark has been on my list o things to do for a couple years now...
Of course I will post if I actually make an attempt this year.
Have lots of other plans already so... we'll see.

I removed the Class 4 section from my brain I guess. All routes have some class 4.

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I planned a trip there a few years ago but the trip has languished down on my long queue though not forgotten. At that time recall Bob Burd responded to a question I had about the Illouette Creek ford. Loaded the spreadsheet translated as an html page to my site:

http://www.davidsenesac.com/Information/mt_clark_vert.xl.mht

This is how I've been storing my plans for years, though you don't have my marked up topo so my well designed crosscountry will be somewhat a mystery. However given the same information for somewhere else, I could probably reconstruct the route rather closely so will leave that to you. An interesting map exercise. The only really tricky part is going around Clark to get to Obelisk. The long route from the trail crosscountry could be done many ways. Given my experience rambling about such places, my choice was to route it where I expected there would be less heavy forest and more sparse forest on glaciated granite.

There is a very large log across Illiouette now. I highly doubt it is not still there.
So no ford should be required. A "simple" walk across a log.
If the ford is a concern then perhaps start at GP and take the bridge. We have worked our
way from up to Starr King Lake without losing elevation after heading south
on the high trail from Panororma (the jct. just before dropping down to JMT/Nevada Fall area).
(YMMV with the Manzanita )
Was too lazy to check the crossing out in May so it is possible it's not there anymore.
But I doubt it... possible though... Here it is in 2009:

If slippery log is a concern... recommend bringing microspikes.
Log is just a smidgen north of the normal crossing.

I would not recommend going to Obelisk (and then down to Merced) July 4th. Crossing Merced would
be a big issue... And getting to Obelisk via Clark Canyon can be an adventure (did it).

For fun here's a view you won't see often of Clark:


Have fun

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I don't think I ever shared this set from when went to Obelisk Lake:

https://picasaweb.google.com/yosemite.chick.on/Obelisk

Enjoy

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chick-on
I don't think I ever shared this set from when went to Obelisk Lake:

https://picasaweb.google.com/yosemite.chick.on/Obelisk

Enjoy

Actually, I think you did. I remember the one of Dolly Domes just for me.

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tomdisco

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chick-on
I don't think I ever shared this set from when went to Obelisk Lake:

https://picasaweb.google.com/yosemite.chick.on/Obelisk

Enjoy

Actually, I think you did. I remember the one of Dolly Domes just for me.

I think I may have only showed them to Franky and a few others.
Searching for Quartzite and Obelisk for all dates brings up nothing.
But I also deleted all PMs so I dunno. I remember having a conversation with
Franky about Z Gap. Can't find that either.

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It appears that I wasted my time. (something my wife says I do too much of)

If there is some interest I can say a few more words w/r to Clark and suggestions.

But the log moved and is now a challenge to cross. Quite dangerous.

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Went up Mt. Clark:

I'd rate:
- NW Gully -> NW Arete - Class 4 from the shrub to the NW Arete
- NE Face - Class 3 to NW Arete

(We went up NW Gully and then down the NE Face)

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That sounds like a good time. I went up yesterday and watched the sunrise on Half Dome with a couple first timers. Very nice day out.



Did you come around Bunnell point and then head up after the switch backs ended?

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gkam2
Did you come around Bunnell point and then head up after the switch backs ended?

You can find the route here:
http://yosemitenews.info/forum/read.php?3,44180

Unless you really want to go up the class 4 NW face I would go further east on the
trail and just go up Clark Canyon. Clark Canyon is superior to the climb just after Bunnell Pt.
I've been up Clark Canyon and also up to Bunnel Pt. as reference as to where I am
coming up with this.
As I mentioned already I would classify the NE face up to the NW Arete as Class 3.
If you go up Clark Canyon you can also knock off Quarzite and Peak 19987 if desired.
Or just get to Obelisk Lake however you like and go up there from there...

Have fun

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/08/2011 09:04PM by chick-on.

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chick-on
Went up Mt. Clark:

I'd rate:
- NW Gully -> NW Arete - Class 4 from the shrub to the NW Arete
- NE Face - Class 3 to NW Arete

(We went up NW Gully and then down the NE Face)

Is it class 3 on the NW arete between the summit and where you went NE? Thanks for the great pics in the other thread.

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mbear
Is it class 3 on the NW arete between the summit and where you went NE? Thanks for the great pics in the other thread.

Yes, the NW Arete is Class 3 w/ extreme exposure on both sides....

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chick-on
Yes, the NW Arete is Class 3 w/ extreme exposure on both sides....

Thanks, chick-on.