84. Sweet Peak, 4560' (S)
Sweet Peak is accessible year-round with very low avalanche risk. The peak and the ridge to it are treed, so the views are not spectacular, but the route travels through lovely old-growth forest. Sweet Peak can be combined with Florence for a two-fer. As of 2012, the Carbon River Road was blocked at the old Carbon River Ranger Station entrance due to washouts. The origin of the Sweet Peak name is uncertain.
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Driving
Drive to the Carbon River Entrance and park in the small parking area by the old ranger station. The road is closed here owing to massive flooding and washouts in 2006.
Route
South of the old ranger station is a 0.3-mile nature walk. Head onto the walk and take the right loop. In about 0.1 mile, the nature walk continues to the left and you will find a trail leading uphill. A post with arrows indicating up and down is at this location as of 2012. (Obviously, you should follow the “up” path.) Follow the trail (this trail is part of the park’s boundary trail. Though officially unmaintained, the trail is in good shape and has been considerably upgraded to an elevation of 2300' (as of 2012). At 3650', leave the trail and head into a boulder field; ascend initially at a bearing of 131 degrees. At 4110' (0.2 mile after leaving trail), change bearing to east—92 degrees. Reach the saddle between Sweet and Florence at 4310'. From the saddle, head north to the summit of Sweet.
Comments
Sweet and Florence can be climbed together in one day, though it would be an 8- to 9-hour day, best done in spring when some of the off-trail brush is covered with snow.
Vital Statistics: Sweet Peak
Skill: Easy scramble
Beauty: 2
Effort: 3
Round-trip distance: 7 miles
Elevation gain: 2900'
Total time: 5 hours
Best season: Year-round
Equipment: Scramble gear
Sweet Peak Topo
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