UN 13,300 C is sequenced with UN 13,201. One-way mileage and elevation gain are measured from the summit of UN 13,201. Round-trip mileage and elevation gain assume completion of the sequence.
UN 13,300, is located north of UN 13,201 by about 2 miles. It was also just a little west of Wetterhorn. From the summit of UN 13,201 it looked inviting to go north, then northeast, dropping straight down to
a saddle at 12,600 ft. and then continue north to the 13,024 false summit just
north of the saddle. But the drop from UN 13,201 to the saddle involves a
cliffband or a descent down a very steep couloir that opens onto a rocky snowfield. Either way appears dangerous and troublesome when viewed from above so we chose a more
roundabout route. From the summit, we headed west, carefully descending through
a short cliffband and contouring along very fragile, unstable rock to a saddle
between UN 13,201 and 13,129. From this saddle, we descended north down a steep
couloir with just a little snow for a while which opened onto a larger patch of
snow that made descent a little more enjoyable for a brief time.
At
about 12,600 ft., we stopped losing elevation and contoured east to the saddle,
having to regain just a little elevation. From here on, it is fairly easy
hiking over mostly tundra with minimal amounts of rock all along the ridge,
past two false summits to the true summit of UN 13,300 C which is a kind of large, flat
rocky outcrop. Take time for a leisurely lunch here and take numerous pictures
of the spectacular northwest face of Wetterhorn. We watched for climbers on the
peak and did spot some descending. You may also survey the head of Wetterhorn
Basin and the south side of Coxcomb if you have not already climbed these.
To get back to your vehicle and the trailhead, head back south along the same ridge to the saddle at
12,600 ft. Turn southeast and follow some patches of snow for a quick
descent into the head of Mary Alice Creek. At about 12,000 ft, we picked up a
trail, cut over to the east a little more and then picked up the original trail
we had been on earlier that morning, just a little above the switchbacks, where
we had left the trail. The remainder of the hike was an easy stroll back down
to the trailhead.
Links to other information, routes & trip reports for this peak that may be helpful.