Lincoln County Highpoint Trip Report

liner on south ridge of Mount Grafton South; Mount Grafton

Date: June 25, 2005
Author: Scott Surgent

Bill Jacobs, Rick Hartman and I teamed for a successful outing seeking out the Lincoln County liner as well as Mount Grafton itself. We followed Scott Casterlin's report, modified only by the remnant snow that prompted some variations in travel. We found the various points without difficulty. On the descent we followed the Mill Creek drainage out to the 'trailhead'. Steep and brushy but manageable.

My opinion is that navigating up to the ridge is easy regardless of route but that Scott Casterlin's description affords an easier trip since you are higher most of the time, with better line-of-sight. No trail, all rock hopping and bushwhacking, but not too bad. We might have come down this same way were it not for the snow up high and our curiosity about the lower route. Stay to the right (south) of Mill Creek and use your best instincts as to when to seek out the trailhead.

The Schell Creek Range sees little visitation and the log books only held the familiar cohp names. Hunters come here in fall for the trophy elk. Keep an eye out -- for them and possibly the hunters if in season. Dean Molen's detailed report at summitpost.com greatly helped with the overall logistics.