Trip Report

Man and boy, and girl too, let me tell you, we had the best weather anyone could ask for on our favorite climbing date for one of our old favorites, Mt. Thielsen (Elev. 9182 ft.). For us old-timers it was fun to try some of the new trail system in the Mt. Thielsen Wilderness. After camping at Diamond Lake on Saturday night, we started up the Howlock Trail at 6:30 a.m. Sunday. We took the cut-off trail to the Thielsen Trail (this adds one hour to the hiking distance each way). The Thielsen Trail now takes you to the lower N.W. ridge of the mountain which is easier climbing than starting right up the scree slope as we used to do. Pat stopped about two-thirds of the way up the mountain. Wes and Charlotte went for the summit. Wes belayed Charlotte and 5 other climbers, from another party, up and down, including the city manager and city attorney of Medford and 3 Forest Service timber sale specialists (1 from the Umpqua, 1 from the Winema, and 1 from the Rogue River National Forest). They now have a high regard for Obsidians and the city manager thinks we should start a branch club in Medford. He also made the comment that there is a Sierra Club chapter in Medford but he likes to enjoy the outdoors, not go with people who are always mad and who do not enjoy the outdoors we have. (I agree!) Wes rappelled off and pulled the rope down after him. The rappel is the fun part of climbing Mt. Thielsen and I always give my party that opportunity. We rendezvoused with Pat and reached the trailhead at 6:30 p.m. after a fun and leisurely 12 hour climb by Pat Clift, Charlotte Mills, and Wes Prouty (leader).