Approach trail & time to base of Culp Bossier

Haven't been up to do this one. Need some idea of approach time and if approach trail is obscure or easy to locate. thanks guys

Cam, it's been a while since I've been up there in the summer but as I remember it's about 1-1.5 hrs.from the Bear Lake parking lot. When you get to Emerald lake, go up on the big talus slope to the south of the lake and traverse that to the bench below the face. Just walk along the wall till you get to your route. It's pretty straight forward and all the guide book descriptions are pretty accurate. Have fun! D.S.

Did it earlier this summer. I'd say it took us 40 minutes to Emerald Lake and ~1 hr (total) to the base of the climb from the parking lot. I'd be up there several times in the winter months and felt reasonably fit but I think 1.5 hours would be the upper end to get there. The trail was pretty obvious. Go left around Emerald Lake and head up towards the buttresses.

If you are going to do the descent to the east, recommended, then stash your extra gear near the bottom of the gully/ramp that you will descend. There is a wet seep and some ferns that mark the spot as I remember. This is a few minutes below the start of the Culp route. It saves you some uphill hiking at the end of the day.

As with most Park locations these days, hang your packs or the marmots will have a feast while you are climbing. Sweaty pack waist belts, shoulder straps, etc. are their favs.

Enjoy the route, it is one of my favorite routes in the Park.

thanks for the info, sounds like a quick approach. What about sun. i'm assuming none on the wall untill later in the day?

Morning sun, afternoon shade. Some thoughtful route finding on Culp, follow the description and you will be fine. The deal with Hallett's is the climbing is quite moderate but sometimes the pro is sparse, staying on route keeps the outing enjoyable. The ledge midway on the route is huge and a nice place to chill and have some food.

I was up there a couple of weeks ago, but had to bail after the 2nd pitch. I had marked up the attached photo for when we go back. All the "S"'s mark slings as of when we were there. Hope it helps.

Once you get to Emerald Lake, turn left and cross the exit stream of the lake, and head straight up the steep slope for about 100 ft. Then turn right and make pretty much make a bee-line for the base of the cliff. Eventually you will run across a trail that will take you past the decent trail, and to the base of the wall. Like Lynn said, when you're about 100 yrds from the base of the climb, you'll hit a mossy area where you might want to rack-up. Have a good climb.

Depends on when you hike & how much with.
The more you are int eh dark, the longer it will take.
Jo and I started on the trail some time between 5:30 & 6, probably close to 6. We got to the base a bit after 7:30. And on top (Better than Love to Englishman's) around 10:45, without making any real effort to move fast either climbing OR on the approach. The fact that it was light the whole way made the approach very casual.
If you walk up in the dark trying to arrive at sunrise, expect it to take longer.

Nice topo Joby. Not sure what the dashes are all about but still a good picture. I think starting with a bit of morning light seams to make the most sence. Thanks for everyones suggestions.

Hello Cam. Wrt the dashes... you can continue up that corner/ramp, and then traverse right along a ledge, or leave the ramp 1/2 way up, and move onto the face to a thin finger crack. I think the "official" route follows the solid line onto the face which to me felt a little spicier (but more direct) than continuing up the ramp and then traversing.

As for the approach time... our party of 4 left Bear Lake TH at 4:15am, and got to the base just before 6:00. Note that we did not hammer up the trail, had to make our way across the talus field mostly in the dark, and we stopped below the first buttress to try and access the decent route. We also had 4 of us to keep together, and none us had been there before, so we weren't moving very fast. I bet with a smaller party, a little more beta, some morning light, and a bit more focus, you could knock it out a lot faster. Good luck.