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Sparrowhawk, Mount

Summit Elevation (m): 3121
Trip Date: Tuesday, September 3, 2002
Round Trip Time (hrs): Unknown
Elevation Gain (m): 1380
Total Trip Distance (km): 10
Quick ‘n Dirty Rating: Class 2/3 – you fall, you sprain something
Difficulty Notes: No difficulties – this is a hike with some very easy scrambling opportunities if you look hard for them. A nice alternate descent has some route-finding.
Technical Rating: SC5; YDS (3rd)
GPS Track: Gaia
Map: Google Maps


Mount Sparrowhawk was my first mountain ‘nemesis’. It’s funny looking back, because now I realize it’s only a fairly easy hike that can be done in under 5 hours round trip. When I first tackled Sparrowhawk I only had some easy hikes under my belt. The “Kane highways” weren’t as standard yet and the mountain felt big, remote and foreboding as we struggled up through her forested western flanks. I spent a few years trying to summit this disturbingly elusive peak.

Mount Sparrowhawk Route Map

Finally in late September 2002 Steve, Jon and I scrambled up the long steep flanks of Sparrowhawk and came out onto the peak tired but happy to finally stand on her summit. Due to our familiarity with the mountain and the different routes by the time we finally summitted, we took an alternate descent down the south, past the eastern cliffs of Read’s Tower. Later I realized we could have combined the two summits, but oh well.

This alternate descent is a beautiful way to complete a slightly longer day with new scenery on descent. There are some minor cliff bands in the drainage that must be avoided, but they’re obvious and should cause no trouble.

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