Twilight Group
Date: 08/09/2023
Partner: Reid Ackerman (from Crater Lake)
Trailhead: Andrews Lake
Summits:
* North Twilight
* Twilight
* South Twilight (UR)
* West Needle
Distance: 17.2m
Elevation Gain: 5300ft
Duration: 12hrs
GPX
The Twilight traverse is a long but fun day from Andrew's Lake. I had the pleasure of meeting up with Reid Ackerman above Crater Lake. Reid had been camping at the lake with plans of doing the traverse. We climbed North Twilight together, completed the traverse, then added West Needle for a little fun. Be sure to do West Needle as it was the highlight of the day.
North Twilight 14ers.com Page
Twilight 14ers.com Page
South Twilight 14ers.com Page
West Neeedle 14ers.com Page
![Twilight 01]()
17.2m - 5300ft - 12hrs
![Twilight 02]()
I got an early start from Andrew's as I knew this would be a long one
![Twilight 03]()
Engineer Mountain
![Twilight 04]()
North Twillight comes into view
![Twilight 05]()
North Twilight from Crater Lake
![Twilight 06]()
Weminuche views to the east
![Twilight 07]()
The climb up North Twilight
![Twilight 08]()
Looking over to Twilight
![Twilight 09]()
Twilight
![Twilight 10]()
Looking to Twilight from North's summit. Tough light but we climbed the couloir in the shadow
![Twilight 11]()
Approaching our ascent
![Twilight 12]()
Helmet's on and up we go!
![Twilight 13]()
Final ridge to Twilight's summit
![Twilight 14]()
Twilight South (UR) from Twilight. West Needle with the snow
![Twilight 15]()
Looking back to Twilight from South Twilight
![Twilight 16]()
West Needle's north east ridge was the highlight of the day. Solid fun class 3/4 scrambling
![Twilight 17]()
![Twilight 18]()
Reid downclimb's South Twilight
![Twilight 19]()
Enroute to West Needle. South Twilight behind us
![Twilight 20]()
Reid in the scree with South Twilight behind
![Twilight 21]()
West Needle
![Twilight 22]()
Weminuche views
![Twilight 23]()
Alex starts up West Needle
![Twilight 24]()
![Twilight 25]()
![Twilight 26]()
![Twilight 27]()
![Twilight 28]()
Plenty of navigational choices ascending West Needle
![Twilight 29]()
![Twilight 30]()
![Twilight 31]()
![Twilight 32]()
![Twilight 33]()
![Twilight 34]()
Stoked! West Needle summit selfie
![Twilight 35]()
Twilight (L) and South Twilight(R) from West Needle
![Twilight 36]()
Reid descends West Needle
![Twilight 37]()
Alex
![Twilight 38]()
Nope... not that way!
![Twilight 39]()
![Twilight 40]()
Reid kicking up his heels
![Twilight 41]()
Some steep grass
![Twilight 42]()
![Twilight 43]()
![Twilight 44]()
Heading back to the South Twilight saddle
![Twilight 45]()
A final look at West Needle. This was a fun scramble
![Twilight 46]()
Aim for the lake then stay high and contour around to the right
![Twilight 47]()
Reid descends to the lake
![Twilight 48]()
![Twilight 49]()
![Twilight 50]()
![Twilight 51]()
Looking back across a tedious side hill section
![Twilight 52]()
Back to Crater Lake
![Twilight 53]()
![Twilight 54]()
The last views of North Twilight then a long walk back to Andrew's
