{"id":2008,"date":"2020-08-08T09:47:00","date_gmt":"2020-08-08T16:47:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.com\/wp\/?p=2008"},"modified":"2024-02-10T09:16:32","modified_gmt":"2024-02-10T17:16:32","slug":"twin-mountain-oregon-jul-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/twin-mountain-oregon-jul-2020\/","title":{"rendered":"Twin Mountain, Oregon, July 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>On Saturday, July 25, I climbed Twin Mountain in the Elkhorn Mountains northwest of Baker City. Twin Mountain is one of &#8220;<a href=\"http:\/\/howbert.com\/mountains\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Oregon&#8217;s 100 Highest Peaks<\/a>&#8220;, a list first published by Jeff Howbert in the May 1996 issue of Pack &amp; Paddle magazine. Peaks on his list have at least 500 feet of &#8220;clean&#8221; prominence (rising at least 500 feet above any saddle connecting it to anything higher). I know of three people who have climbed all 100 peaks, Pam Otley, Jay Avery, and Troy Baker.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn01_600.jpg\" alt=\"Twin Mountain rising to the east from Peak 8428 in July 2012\" class=\"wp-image-2015\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn01_600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn01_600-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn01_600-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Twin Mountain rising to the east from Peak 8428 in July 2012<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The High Cascades include many of Oregon&#8217;s highest peaks. These fueled my original interest in climbing and I focused on them for many years. In 2007 I started working on my remaining Oregon&#8217;s 100 Highest Peaks, making slow but steady progress on these peaks over several years. Thirteen of the 100 peaks lie in the Elkhorn Mountains northwest of Baker City; as of 2015 I had climbed twelve of them. The last one, Twin Mountain, rebuffed my exploratory 2015 attempt due to difficult access. Since then it had been easy to defer returning to try again as I became distracted by Oregon&#8217;s prominence peaks. It was finally time to return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn03_600.jpg\" alt=\"Twin Mountain from Bulger Flat Road\" class=\"wp-image-2012\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn03_600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn03_600-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn03_600-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Twin Mountain from Bulger Flat Road<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn06_600.jpg\" alt=\"I parked at an abandoned road leading through forest up the east ridge\" class=\"wp-image-2013\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn06_600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn06_600-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn06_600-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">I parked at an abandoned road leading through forest up the east ridge<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Saturday morning, July 15, I leave our Baker Valley property and drive the primitive Bulger Flat Lane towards Twin Mountain. I park beside the road below Twin Mountain&#8217;s heavily forested east ridge. From there I hike an abandoned road that leads a short distance up the ridge, then plunge into the heavy forest.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn08_600.jpg\" alt=\"I leave the road and begin climbing up the east ridge through heavy forest\" class=\"wp-image-2014\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn08_600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn08_600-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn08_600-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">I leave the road and begin climbing up the east ridge through heavy forest<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>As I climb I make use of game trails where I can and try to stay near the ridgeline to minimize the steepness. After about 2000 feet of climbing the forest opens up and the climb becomes more pleasant.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn12_600.jpg\" alt=\"I climb through more open forest above 8000 feet towards Peak 8566\" class=\"wp-image-2017\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn12_600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn12_600-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn12_600-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">I climb through more open forest above 8000 feet towards Peak 8566<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn13_600.jpg\" alt=\"The summit cairn of Peak 8566 with a registry\" class=\"wp-image-2018\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn13_600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn13_600-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn13_600-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The summit cairn of Peak 8566 with a registry<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I eventually reach the summit of the subsidiary Peak 8566. Here is a cairn and a summit registry with several entries by elk hunters over recent years. The Baker Valley and Baker City lie below me to the southeast. To the west rise the summit peaks of Twin Mountain.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn15_600.jpg\" alt=\"From Peak 8566 the Baker Valley lies below with Baker City just visible beyond the shoulder of Hunt Mountain\" class=\"wp-image-2019\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn15_600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn15_600-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn15_600-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">From Peak 8566 the Baker Valley lies below with Baker City just visible beyond the shoulder of Hunt Mountain<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn16_600.jpg\" alt=\"West from Peak 8566, Powder Benchmark rises in the center with the Twin Mountain summit beyond to the left.\" class=\"wp-image-2016\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn16_600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn16_600-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn16_600-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">West from Peak 8566, Powder Benchmark rises in the center with the Twin Mountain summit beyond to the left.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>From Peak 8566 I plan to follow the summit ridgeline west towards the summit of Twin Mountain a little over a mile away. I descend to a saddle, then climb west to the next peak on the ridgeline. Here steep rock gendarmes guard the ridge. These force me to traverse lower to the south over talus, between and beneath rock blocks and towers, slowing my progress.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn20_600.jpg\" alt=\"I visit Powder Benchmark on the traverse, only 1 foot lower than the summit\" class=\"wp-image-2021\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn20_600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn20_600-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn20_600-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">I visit Powder Benchmark on the traverse, only 1 foot lower than the summit<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The next peak on the ridge, Powder Benchmark, has an open summit and good views. Powder Benchmark at 8896 feet of elevation is officially only 1 foot lower than the summit. I was sure to claim this point in case of future USGS revisions.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn21_600.jpg\" alt=\"The summit of Twin Mountain on the left from Powder Benchmark\" class=\"wp-image-2022\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn21_600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn21_600-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn21_600-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The summit of Twin Mountain on the left from Powder Benchmark<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The summit of Twin Mountain still seems distant and it is later than I planned, but I am committed to summit. I notice a tempting open slope leading down from the Twin Mountain summit towards the North Powder River. I had hiked below years ago on my <a href=\"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/elkhorn-peaks-september-2014\/\">climb of nearby Red Mountain<\/a> and I debate using that open slope as a possibly faster descent route.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn23_600.jpg\" alt=\"The last slope leading to the summit of Twin Mountain\" class=\"wp-image-2023\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn23_600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn23_600-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn23_600-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The last slope leading to the summit of Twin Mountain<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn24_600.jpg\" alt=\"The summit of Twin Mountain with skis left here years ago to memorialize a lost friend\" class=\"wp-image-2024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn24_600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn24_600-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn24_600-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The summit of Twin Mountain with skis left here years ago to memorialize a lost friend<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Fortunately, the last ridgeline hike is open and easy to travel. I finally arrive much later than expected on the summit of Twin Mountain (8897 feet) where I rest, eat lunch, and enjoy reading and signing the registry.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn36_600.jpg\" alt=\"Angell Peak, Gunsight Mountain, and Van Patten Butte from Twin Mountain\" class=\"wp-image-2034\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn36_600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn36_600-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn36_600-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Angell Peak, Gunsight Mountain, and Van Patten Butte to the west<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn39_600.jpg\" alt=\"Peak 8428 left center and &quot;Dutch Flat Saddle South&quot; on the right from Twin Mountain\" class=\"wp-image-2035\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn39_600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn39_600-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn39_600-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Peak 8428 left center and &#8220;Dutch Flat Saddle South&#8221; on the right from Twin Mountain<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn43_600.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Ruth, Mount Ireland, and distant Vinegar Hill lined up from Twin Mountain\" class=\"wp-image-2036\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn43_600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn43_600-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn43_600-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Mount Ruth, Mount Ireland, and distant Vinegar Hill lined up from Twin Mountain<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn45_600.jpg\" alt=\"Columbia Hill lies just left of center. Strawberry Mountain and Dixie Butte lie in the distance.\" class=\"wp-image-2043\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn45_600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn45_600-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn45_600-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Columbia Hill lies just left of center. Strawberry Mountain and Dixie Butte lie in the distance.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn47_600.jpg\" alt=\"Red Mountain, &quot;Summit Point&quot;, and distant Ironside Mountain from Twin Mountain\" class=\"wp-image-2032\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn47_600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn47_600-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn47_600-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Red Mountain, &#8220;Summit Point&#8221;, and distant Ironside Mountain from Twin Mountain\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn53_600.jpg\" alt=\"Rock Creek Butte, the highpoint of the Elkhorn Mountains, to the south from Twin Mountain\" class=\"wp-image-2033\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn53_600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn53_600-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn53_600-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Rock Creek Butte, the highpoint of the Elkhorn Mountains, to the south from Twin Mountain<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I savor my success and views and take many photos of familiar peaks, around me in the Elkhorn Mountains and beyond. I identify several more Elkhorn peaks yet to visit.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn59_600.jpg\" alt=\"Looking east towards Powder Benchmark and the start of my long traverse back\" class=\"wp-image-2037\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn59_600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn59_600-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn59_600-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Looking east towards Powder Benchmark and the start of my long traverse back<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>After more thought I decide not to use the south slope as a descent route, favoring the devil I knew to the one I do not. Instead, I descend my ascent route, the east ridge, taking a more direct path where I can.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn68_600.jpg\" alt=\"I think this is Rock Buckwheat (Eriogonum sphaerocephalum)\" class=\"wp-image-2038\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn68_600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn68_600-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn68_600-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">I think this is Rock Buckwheat (Eriogonum sphaerocephalum)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn74_600.jpg\" alt=\"I think this is Tailcup Lupine (Lupinus caudatus ssp. caudatus), one of so many species of Lupine\" class=\"wp-image-2039\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn74_600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn74_600-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/twinmtn74_600-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">I think this is Tailcup Lupine (Lupinus caudatus ssp. caudatus), one of so many species of Lupine<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>In spite of the lateness I take a few minutes as I descend high on the east ridge to photograph some wildflowers. I&#8217;ll try to identify them later. I gratefully return to my Jeep and drive back to our Baker Valley property to have a late dinner with Linda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was a scenic day in the Elkhorn Mountains and I savored my success on Twin Mountain. I have 23 more &#8220;Oregon 100 Highest Peaks&#8221; yet to visit. They all lie in the Wallowa Mountains in the Northeast corner of Oregon.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On Saturday, July 25, I climbed Twin Mountain in the Elkhorn Mountains northwest of Baker City. Twin Mountain is one of &#8220;Oregon&#8217;s 100 Highest Peaks&#8220;, a list first published by Jeff Howbert in the May 1996 issue of Pack &amp; Paddle magazine. Peaks on his list have at least 500 feet of &#8220;clean&#8221; prominence (rising [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":37,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[88,58,91],"class_list":{"0":"post-2008","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-climb","7":"tag-elkhorn-mountains","8":"tag-oregon","9":"tag-twin-mountain","10":"entry","11":"override"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Twin Mountain, Oregon, July 2020 &#8211; GlassMountains Trip Reports<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"As of this spring I had climbed 12 of the 13 highest Oregon peaks in the Elkhorn Mountains. Twin Mountain rebuffed my 2015 attempt. It was time to try again.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.glassmountains.net\/wp\/twin-mountain-oregon-jul-2020\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Twin Mountain, Oregon, July 2020 &#8211; GlassMountains Trip Reports\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"As of this spring I had climbed 12 of the 13 highest Oregon peaks in the Elkhorn Mountains. Twin Mountain rebuffed my 2015 attempt. 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