The Thumb

Climbing The Thumb & Failure on Birch Mountain

Success on The Thumb but failure on Birch Mountain. Used a GPS track from Peakbagger to navigate through the cow meadows on a 5am start. Easy once on the proper trail until just below the lake, when you run into a wall of bushwhack for 50 yards. No shade on this trail, devoid of trees, desert straight into the alpine zone. After too long a midday nap we set off for Birch at 1:30, made it to 12,900 on the ridge when we had to turn back due to time and approaching weather. Treated to a lovely rainbow, hail storm and sunset all within a half hour. Left at 7:30 am for The Thumb, summited at 10:40 - really an easy climb with a sublime view of the Palisades.

Trailhead:

Birch Lake Trailhead at 37.087460, -118.355390 - you will need a high clearance 4WD for the last 1.2 mile up to the trailhead but it is possible to park on McMurry Meadows Road and start from there.
Difficulty:

Tough approach and moderate to get to the peak by SPS standards (never more than Class II+)
Aesthetic Rating:

Sublime views of the Palisades from the summit
Distance:

13.8 miles round trip and 7300 ft of elevation gain. It's 5.2 miles to Birch Lake.
Type:

Overnight