LoJ: #331 (Pre-LiDAR #336) / 13,385' Italian Mountain

From the main creek, cross back over to the east side if you parked where suggested and begin hiking south, then east, crossing to the south side of the very minor little creek that drains down from about half way up to the saddle between Italian and UN 12, 830. Hike eat uphill staying mostly either out of or on the edge of the forest. Walk up moderately steep slopes of grass and numerous wildflowers – especially paintbrush. Above the open slope, skirt the end of a rock glacier to the right side and follow a very faint trail around and above it to a flatter meadow are, guarded by low willows. There was also a nice rivulet running through the open meadow that we enjoyed, but we were here fairly early season.

Above the flatter meadow area and the last willows, enter a not too steep gully that leadd to the saddle south of the Italian summit. There is about 500 feet of rubbly hiking over smaller rocks. There are some nice flowers going up this slope. As you hike higher, an amazing vista unfolds of brilliant, lush green mountains topped by gray rocky summits and patches of white snow against a blue summer sky. We could hardly believe how green everything was.

At the saddle, we found a large patch of Old-Man-On-the-Mountain. They all had their faces turned to the east sun and we took photos of them in a backlit position. The unnamed 12er summit is only a little over 300 feet of gain to the south, so you may want to climb it first. It is mostly a quick hike over chiprock, small talus, some rocky outcrops and some tundra and only takes about 15 minutes to reach the summit. From this summit or Italian and the connecting ridge, watch for elk below. From UN 12,830, walk back down to the saddle and begin the 900 foot ascent of Italian Mtn.

Most of that part of the hike goes along the ridge crest on more talus, chiprock and scree. Part of the hike also passes through vibrant tundra filled with abundant alpine avens & buttercups, small blue flowers and some clumps of Purple Fringe. The summit has just a little bit of tundra, a rock cairn and we found the lower jawbone of an elk perched on the cairn. Looking to the north, we could see the interesting ridge that connects over to Lambertson. We watched two people, who had apparently just left the Italian summit, head for Lambertson. To the east, we could see old mining activity and over on American Flag Mountain, we could watch a group of ORV’s drive all the way to that rounded summit. North and NE of us, we could see much of the southern Elk Range with a great deal of snow still showing.

For the descent, return as you came, but some may want to consider the traverse over to the unranked Lambertson. That involves navigating a section of "knife-edge" ridge. We have not attempted that traverse so you would need to research on other sites. Gary Neben has a useful report on Mountain Handbook if you desire to approach Italian from the east side and the Star Mine and also makes a brief comment about the Lambertson-Italian ridge.