A little summer stoke - the Pfeifferhorn

[tradygirl]

Last weekend, after contemplating ways to get out of the stifling heat, my husband and I thought we'd tick off one of our favorite local summits in the Wasatch - the Pfeifferhorn. The Pfeiff is a very prominent peak in Little Cottonwood Canyon that overlooks some of our favorite ski touring areas.

Pfeiff from Maybird Gulch (not my picture!)

The approach hike is also one of my favorites, passing lower and upper Red Pine Lakes.

Upper Red Pine Lake

Me on the ridge above Lower Red Pine Lake

 

[tradygirl]

Once you gain the ridge above Upper Red Pine Lake, the view is unreal. You can see all the way from the tram at Snowbird to the SLC valley down below. Mt Timpanogas in Utah Valley to the South is huge and impressive and the views of the south-facing ridge of Little Cottonwood Canyon are intimidating. Those of you that are Snowbird regulars may have seen this peak to the west from the top of the tram.

Mt Timpanogas. The snowfield near the south summit (center of picture) is a popular early season ski tour.

Looking towards the LCC ridgeline.

My favorite part of the hike is the knife-edge ridge heading up to the summit pyramid. It's pretty much a 3rd class scramble over and around huge granite boulders with a 200-ft drop on either side. It's not as scary as it looks, but it gets the blood pumping.

The summit was great - a nice cool breeze at 10,000 ft helped keep it nice and cool up there while we looked at the city below baking in the 100 degree heat.

 

[ski diva]

Wow, terrific pix! Looks like a great hike. Pretty cool to see the snow up there.

Wish I was there now instead of sweltering in this 90+ heat.

 

[altagirl]

Very cool pics! Looks like fun!

 

[Ski Spirit]

Tradygirl---Fantastic pictures. Thanks for posting them and allowing us to vicariously enjoy........

 

[Sheena]

I love the pictures! Looks like a ton of fun. Thanks for sharing

 

[SnowHot]

Wow, that is beautiful!
Thanks for sharing.
Inspirational!!!