******TRIP UPDATE: Thomas and I have decided that we will camp at the Phelix Creek trailhead Saturday night and go for either Mt. Gandalf/Aragon or the Tolkien traverse on Sunday. If you only want to join for Saturday there is the option to meet us at the Spetch Creek FSR.

We will follow the Valentine Lake trail to the alpine then head up to the col between the peaks. Saxifrage is class 3 scrambling with some route finding. If there is enough time after descending back to the col, I would also like to climb Cassiope which has a ridge scramble with some exposure per Matt Gunn's Scrambles.

You must be very comfortable hiking and scrambling without following a defined trail, as from the Valentine lake to the peak, we will have to route find.

You can see a rough gpx of the route, Please download and study the approach: https://www.trailforks.com/trails/saxifrage-peak-route.

I have a 4x4 and car that can take 4 others and I will try to make it to the end of the FSR depending on road conditions, lower clearance cars will not be able to make it.

Please be considerate and do not sign up unless you are committed for the trip and you are in good physical condition. We will be moving at a moderate/fast pace.

What to bring:

Food and water for the whole day

First aid kit

Proper shoes/boots

Hiking poles

Helmet

*If we do Cassiope it will add around 3km and 300M elevation

Distance: 19km

Elevation Gain: 1400m

Summit area:  2500m

Estimated Time: 10-12hrs