For the past three years Dinah and I have wanted to climb Sheol Mountain but bear activity has caused the park to restrict trail access to six or more hikers. When Sonny Bou invited RMB forum members to join him for an ascent up this mountain we jumped at the opportunity. Filling out the group were Linda Breton and Frank Nelson from the forum as well as Sonny's friends' Dan Millar and Bob Parr.

We hiked up Paradise Valley trail until we reached the avalanche gully on the lower slopes of Sheol Mountain. This gully was one of the worst I've ascended. This wasn't just loose rock terrain, but loose rock hidden under vegetation. After stumbling up a short way a thunderous roar behind us caught our attention. We turned to watch in awe as an avalanche rushed down the west side of Mount Temple.

Once the snow had settled, we turned back to our grind up the drainage. Eventually we reached the gully fork and headed up the right branch. We made slow progress until just before the ridge crest. The grade eased and we hiked and scrambled easily along the ridge crest. Contrary to warnings in the trip description, I came across no drop-off or crux nor did we need to choose our handholds and footholds carefully.

When we reached the summit, the ideal weather was an invitation to stay an hour. Dan and Bob stretched out to relax while Sonny entertained the rest of us as he set up his Star War figure for a summit photo.

MOVIE (2:15)
KML Track
Sonny's Trip Report