So, I’m still waiting for someone who actually went to oPg weekend to write it up. Anyone who wants this to move along faster, pester Jaminz or Killa so we can have a writeup. Otherwise, I’ll be forced to falsify everything!

(At least I’ll have good pictures)

Regardless, last week’s adventure was definitely enjoyable. Blondie and I took off up Little Cottonwood Canyon to climb Devil’s Castle. Nothing too difficult about the whole endeavor. It is 6 miles round trip, 1600ft elevation gain, and the climb doesn’t ever break 300ft. Still, by far one of the best ‘bang for your buck’ climbs in the Wasatch. Anyone who wants to get their scrambling thrill for the week should check it out.

Things started a few hours later than the Pfeiffer - we left my house at 8am rather than 5am - but we ended at about the same time - 2pm. Making total mountain time right around 4 hours.

The parking lot at the trailhead was full by the time we got there, so we were forced to park another mile down the road. Only added 15 minutes to the total time, it is a nice paved road all the way to the trailhead. Once we got going, we ran into a moose and several family groups on our way to the saddle.

Leaving everyone else behind at Cecret Lake (pronounced secret) the hiking became much steeper, rockier, and fun. About .75mi/800ft later, we were sitting atop the saddle between Sugarloaf and Devil’s Castle. After a quick weather check, we took off for razor ridge.

A few hundred yards along the ridge, we ran into the first wall. By far and wide, this wall was the most enjoyable on the trip. Roughly 40ft tall with several different routes up, the wall proved to be a fantastic. By no means technical. Anyone with legs/arms could make it up.

After reaching the first summit, we set our sights on the second and third. Continuing along the razor ridge to the wall below the second summit, a series of dark clouds rolled in. When we were about 5ft up on the wall, a small summer shower forced us to hunker down. Always interesting to stare straight down a 300ft wall holding a camera, while the wind has its way with you.

Several minutes later the storm blew out and we were up on the second summit. We found the register waiting for us in a mailbox and decided to break for lunch. Following a traditional round of ‘Hey Noobs’ we downclimbed the second summit and made our way to the third.

Easily the crux of the journey, the second-third summit approach was full of loose rock and a few air steps. That is what makes it fun, right? ;P Regardless, we scurried our way up to the third summit and headed for home.

From here we had two options: we could head back over all three peaks and descend Cecret Lake or we could descend East Castle. Either option is 40* for the first 30 yards and then mellows out. Considering we had already been up Cecret,  off to East we went.

In spite of some close encounters and unintentional rock-glissading, we made it to the service road and headed for home. Four hours after we started, we enjoyed a nice bowl of oats and went our separate ways.

Definitely recommended and a possible repeat in the next few years. A winter ascent would be gnarly.

Check the gallery for more pics.

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