Mount Millicent

Mount Millicent has been on my radar to climb for quite a while.  Millicent is that stunning mountain peak that rises high above the west end of Brighton ski resort, overlooking Silver Lake nature trail and towering above Lake Mary - elevation 10,452.  Little did I know what climbing this peak involved - namely boulder scrambling the entire way to the top.  I'm talking about scrambling boulders for about a quarter of a mile gaining approximately 600 feet in elevation. That's steep folks! (At least in my book!) I have to say, however, that the climb wasn't as frightening as it looked from the bottom.  It was a worthy challenge and a bit of an adrenaline rush.  WHAT FUN!  Mount Millicent is reached by first climbing to Twin Lakes Dam following the well traveled trail from the right side of the Silver Lake, a distance to the dam of 1 1/4 miles.  This piece of trail is absolutely beautiful during the autumn season. 

Make your way to the left side of Twin Lakes dam and connect with the ski service road which winds it's way up to the Milly Express Lift and ski patrol station.  Here the boulder scramble begins so put the trekking poles away and start to climb on all fours. 

Following the ski service road.

This lone pine caught my eye.

Milly Express ski lift and ski patrol cabin.

Here the fun begins.  We didn't see a designated trail so we just started climbing up.  We found a cable line and followed it up to the first piece of equipment.

If any of you readers know what this equipment is used for, please leave me a comment.  I would love to learn the purpose of the equipment on top of Mount Millicent.

This really neat looking slab of rock jutted out from the boulders.  Had to have a picture.  Next we came to an equipment shed.  There were two shovels attached to a rope on top of the shed.  Nifty system for snow removal.

From the shed it is just a little more climbing to the very top.  By now I'm really tired and have had my fill of boulder scrambling, but we are so close I will not give up!!

Navigating the last of the boulders at the top!

Martha still smiling!  Mount Wolverine in the background.

We made it!  Time to relax, have a snack to refuel and soak up the views - they were spectacular!

Found the perfect rock chair.

Enjoying the view of Mount Tuscarora

Here are a few photos of the fantastic views from high atop Mount Millicent.  We also had great views of Lake Mary, Martha and Catherine.

Honeycomb Cliffs

Looking down on Twin Lakes

Mount Superior

Patsy Marley and the Wolverine cirque.

One word of caution - Climbing this peak is a totally different type of hike.  I had some mighty sore muscles for a couple of days afterward.  It felt like I had done an hours worth of leg squats, push ups and bicep curls without setting foot in a gym.  Maybe I should go climb boulders every week! 

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 Happy Hiking!