Hiked to Glacier Basin Camp, crossed the Inter Fork, and followed a climber's trail up to the ridge and to Mt Ruth. Continued along the ridge past Camp Curtis to Steamboat Prow. Backtracked and descended the Inter Glacier back to the Glacier Basin Trail.
Road Conditions. Paved road and parking lot, restrooms with running water.
Trail Conditions. No issues with the Glacier Basin Trail up to Glacier Basin Camp, double-wide and smooth. Didn't take me long to find a spot where I could step across the Inter Fork (3 channels) without any acrobatics. Picked up a well-established climber's trail on the other side after a short bushwhack. Almost lost the trail just before it starts zig-zagging up to the top of the ridge, just had to step across a small stream. Steep with loose dirt and rocks, doesn't look like fun to descend... The trail remained easy to follow right up to the base of Mt Ruth, where there were a few patches of (soft) snow and multiple options... Didn't bother with traction here, followed the path of least resistance to the summit of Mt Ruth, approaching the short summit scramble (class 2) from the west. Continuing along the ridge, there was one brief section that had to be downclimbed and that required a class 3 move (good grips, but in a no-fall zone). Once at Camp Curtis, the climber's trail up to Steamboat Prow was easy enough to follow, just keep going up... Before heading down, I talked to several parties who had come up the Inter Glacier, and none reported any issues with crevasses. Glissading looked tempting, but instead I put on crampons and cautiously plunge-stepped all the way down to the Glacier Basin Trail. The Glacier Basin Trail past Glacier Basin Camp was pretty but not quite as smooth as it is once you get to Glacier Basin Camp.
Highlights. Close-up views of glaciers, and plentiful wildflowers and marmots.
Crowds. No queue when I reached the Sunrise entrance station one minute to seven. But all trailhead parking lots I passed were already full, including the one at White River Campground. Camps all looked busy. Didn't encounter anyone after crossing the White River until Camp Curtis. Slow trickle of parties heading up or down the Inter Glacier.
Comments
whollyburger on Steamboat Prow, Glacier Basin, Mount Ruth
Could I ask where you parked if white river was full? Thanks!
Posted by:
whollyburger on Jul 30, 2024 12:53 PM
ejain on Steamboat Prow, Glacier Basin, Mount Ruth
Parked in a pullout right next to the parking lot. Also, the campground is large, so you might be able to find a spot to stash your car, just don't block any campsites...
Posted by:
ejain on Jul 30, 2024 01:23 PM
Bob and Barb on Steamboat Prow, Glacier Basin, Mount Ruth
I enjoyed so much your many beautiful photos! I especially enjoyed the pictures after you crossed the Inter-Fork on your way to Mt Ruth which was somewhere we had never been. Bob and I have gone beyond Glacier Basin Camp on the trail you came down a few times in our younger days, but had never crossed the Inter-Fork to the trail to Mt Ruth. Thank you so much for your report and pictures!
Posted by:
Bob and Barb on Aug 13, 2024 10:43 PM
ejain on Steamboat Prow, Glacier Basin, Mount Ruth
It's a beautiful area... Maybe not quite as scenic as the upper Glacier Basin (until you get to the top of the ridge), but it makes up for it with marmots and mining artifacts 😀
Posted by:
ejain on Aug 14, 2024 10:17 AM