SANDON PEAK 2346m 7697’
On the SE end of Silver Ridge, it is about 7 km south of Sandon. Although the views are fine, an ascent is not recommended, unless you are an aficionado of suffering.
Difficulty. Difficult
Elevation gain:
Key elevations: Summit Sandon 2346m (7697’)
Season: July through September
Assess: Difficult
Map: 82F/14 Slocan
Drive:
Via Carpenter Creek
From New Denver: 8.4 km (5.2 miles) east on Highway 31A
From Kaslo (Junction of Highways 31 and 31A at Kaslo): 38.1 km (23.7 miles) west on Hwy 31A
0.0 This junction is known as Three Forks. Start south on Sandon Road
7.0km Junction. Go left up Carpenter Ck. FSR. Right is Idaho Lookout Rd.
Just before Cody turn right (south) up West Cody Creek FSR. Drive as far as possible. Go up the west fork of Cody Creek.
Route: Sandon Peak is not visible until you are almost on the south ridge, so use a compass and head generally SW. Cross a few avalanche paths and finally climb steeply up onto the south ridge 2160m . The summit is another 200m up the south ridge.
Via Silverton Creek FSR
From Silverton: 0.0 Silverton Creek FSR
9.8km Turn left up Branch 9
12.3km Park at the east edge of a big cut block.
Route: Ascend the block NE along the west bank of a creek, and soon encounter a well-defined trail, undoubtedly made during the mining boom on Silver Ridge over 100 years ago. Follow for over an hour (lost in the snow and continuing probably to the ridge). Gain the ridge at 830-332, and continue SE over UN7,650 (839-325) to the summit of Sandon Peak in 5.5 hours from the car (slowed by all the mushy snow.
The trail was flagged (orange), but there was much fall in the cut block and much easier to follow in the trees. As many deadfalls had been cut on the trail, it appeared that someone had looked after it for years.
SANDON PEAK, 2346m (7697’) by Kim Kratky
Map Slocan 82F/14
Not receiving any call for the club climbing trip of June 12th, the coordinator changed the destination to this remote and obscure peak in the Slocan Range. Details follow.
I approached from the Silverton Creek side, turning up Branch 9 about 9.8 km. From Silverton, this spur is 2.5 km to the east edge of a big cut block.
Ascending the block northeast along the west bank of a creek, I soon came across a well-defined trail, undoubtedly made during the mining boom on Silver Ridge over 100 years ago. I followed this for over an hour before losing it in the snow several hundred feet below the tree line and the ridge. Gaining the ridge at about GR 830-332, I continued southeast over u/n 7,650’ (GR 839-325) to the summit of Sandon Peak in 5 hours from the truck. I was slowed by the unpleasant snow, in places nearly bottomless mush, and the many cornices needing careful attention.
On the summit, I found a cairn with no record and took a refreshing 10 min. break.
For the descent, I retraced my steps and was surprised to find the trail emerged exactly where my truck was parked (3 hours down). Although I flagged the trailhead with several strips of orange flagging tape, it’s difficult to follow through the cut block as several large trees have fallen on it lengthwise. Once in the timber, it is very clear, although large deadfalls slow progress. Many older deadfalls have been cut out, so someone looked after this trail for years. Perhaps worth exploring to its end for those who are interested in mining history. Although the views were fine, an ascent of Sandon Peak is not recommended unless you’re an aficionado of suffering.
Kim Kratky