"Sheep Rock Mountain"

Route: Winfield to 13258 South Loop from Just North of th
Posted On: 7/12/2024, By: JasonKline
Info: Summer conditions. There were cornices hanging around the ridges, but the ridges themselves were dry. We didn't find a good way to cross the South Fork Clear Creek without a deep, cold crossing to ensure we were wide awake. We ended up gaining the ridge at the saddle between Winfield and Virginia, and that route went relatively painlessly after the creek crossing. The cornice on the north side of the ridge to the east of 13258 South did block some options for descending back to the north, but we were able to find an OK descent route. The initial descent gully was a little unpleasant, and there were some willows/marsh on the way back to the Continental Divide Trail, but it wasn't bad at all. 

Route: From 13,235
Posted On: 11/12/2023, By: Chipmunk
Info: Attempted the Virginia group yesterday from the Lake Ann TH (see TH conditions report for info on that). We were breaking trail almost immediately, ranging from ankle to mid calf deep. We stayed mostly faithful to the Lake Ann Trail, though sometimes it was difficult to tell where the trail was underneath the snow. We left the Lake Ann Trail where the drainage for the unnamed lake on Harrison Flat bisects the trail and beelined for the flat. From there we identified a rock rib that would take us to the east ridge of former PT 13,253. We scrambled up rock when we could and snow where it was unavoidable. We shunned PT 13,253's former summit in both directions, crossing its snow covered SE slopes en route to the true summit and SW slopes on return towards PT 13,235. The ridge was a misery of snow covered talus, and we were continually slipping or falling through trapdoors up to our knees and thighs. This hindered our already slow progress and by the time we reached West Virginia, we realized if we pushed on to our final peak (Virginia) we would be summiting at sunset. Not wanting to flounder through the snowy woods in the dark, we descended straight off West Virginia into the basin below. Around 11.6k we joined the Silver Basin Trail to the CDT which has a couple helpful bridges over water crossings. This deposited us back on the Lake Ann Trail. We picked up a mountain goat track that appears to have recently run this ridge. The goat made sure to summit each peak, which I found hilarious. It was somewhat gratifying to see that they too occasionally suffer from falling through trapdoors. I imagine this route would be more enjoyable with longer daylight hours, and less snow. Snow boots and gaiters are essential right now. Carried but did not use spikes. Did not bring snowshoes, though they may have helped. 

Route: N ridge of Winfield/traverse to sheep rock
Posted On: 10/8/2022, By: yaktoleft13
Info: Tried a route I hadn't seen reported. Parked at N Fork Clear Creek, crossed the creek, then bushwhacked straight up the ridge to the summit of Winfield. Bushwhack was pretty easy. Steep, but not too loose. No snow seen till 11.6k, and no snow stepped on until 12.9k. Traverse between each peak averages about 35-40 min. Snow not a factor until the last 200 ft up sheep rock, which required a few moves up snow. Descended grassy slopes off the SW ridge of sheep rock back to n fork clear creek basin. A few game trails but mostly bushwhack led to a trail, which went back to the car. Great alternative to hitting them from the Huron side. I'll post a gpx in the coming days to the library 

Route: From 13,235
Posted On: 6/23/2021, By: HikerGuy
Info: Hiked a clockwise loop of UN13,353 South, UN13,353, UN13,235, Sheep Rock Mountain, West Virginia, Virginia Peak and Winfield Peak from the Huron Peak TH. Dry the entire way, summer conditions. My loop came out at 12 miles and 5,250 feet. There is an unnamed lake at 12,155 with spectacular views of the Apostles. It seems like many folks go counterclockwise on this loop, I was very happy with going clockwise, climbing up to Winfield from the Huron Peak TH does not seem like it would be a lot of fun and it was nice to warm up on the gentle trail towards Lake Ann. 

Route: North Ridge
Posted On: 7/28/2019, By: supranihilest
Info: Completely dry. Lots of talus to deal with. 

Route: from West Virginia
Posted On: 7/10/2018, By: SnowAlien
Info: Missing a register. So is neigbor UN13,235. While Virginia and UN13,253 have registers, and West Virginia has two(!). The ridge from UN13,253 South to West spur of CT seems to never end...Creeks are very low.