Granite Lakes Road 2.18.04

Today's goal was for Revolution Pk. Which is Point 5454 just NE of the terminus of the Granite Lakes Rd at Point 5124. This approach is fairly long and I expected around 7 hours total time for summit and return. I expected some unsettled weather but I was treated to some fairly calm weather today. I made good time to the road crossing of Granite Creek, less than an hour. I ran across a man who had driven just past the creek and was sawing out some of the larger blowdowns that had fallen across the road. I am not sure who was more suprised to see who. He commented that I had a pretty hearty hike to make it to this point. I told him that I wasn't even half way, the look on his face made me wonder why I do what I do. We parted ways with the man saying "" have fun"" in a way that really showed his lack of ability to understand why anyone would walk that far. I hit sustained snow around 2500ft, I followed a old snowshoe track without the need for snowhoes until around 3000ft. I then reached a point were I felt snowshoes were needed, too bad for me one of the pivots broke shortly after putting them on. I like the MSR snowhoes but this is the 3rd time I have broken a pair in the same spot. With plenty of time and a long ways to go I continued on to around 3400ft. At this elevation with new snow and with the trail having less traveler's the going without snowshoes became more difficult than what I was really in the mood for. I stopped for a short while and then returned to the truck without incident.

Teanaway Butte 2.10.04

With today's perfect weather I eagerly set off for a return trip to Teanaway Butte. Teanaway Butte is ranked a lowly 94 on the list of 100 highest summits of the Back Court. The Middle Fork Rd. was devoid of any snow all the way to it's maintained end, which was much different than last week. The area sees heavy snowmobile traffic so the road was packed and made for quick walking. I left the main line after about a mile and used the spur road that ends 350ft below the summit. I left the road here having to put on snowshoes because of the deep unpacked snow. The summit is straight in front of you and poses no difficulties. The last 150ft is steep and in open and deep snow making it quite the lung burning finish. The summit is open and attractive and I was treated to some stunning views of the Stuart Range as well as the scattered peaks of the Teanaway area. The weather was quite ideal with the temps in the mid 50's and not even a breath of wind. Although the climb was much longer than anticipated (approx 14 miles roundtrip) it went very quickly due to not having to break trail. Approx 2:30 up and 1:45 down.

Teanaway Butte 2.3.04

I awoke this morning with a foggy head that even a pot of coffee couldn't burn away. My goal for today was for Teanaway Butte via the Middle Fork Rd. I was on a very limited time schedule, so I knew I had to hussle. I should have known things wouldn't go quite as well as expected when I decided that I knew my route and didn't need to consult it before leaving. I have only been in the Teanaway area once before so I am not familiar with all the roads in the area. I thought the Middle Fork Rd left the North Fork Rd, not the West Fork Rd.. When I reached the 29 Pines Campground I knew a change of plans was in order. I didn't feel like I had enough time to backtrack so I decided to follow the road that runs next to Jungle Creek. The day was nice and the snow was packed due to the snowmobile traffic. I climbed to around 3100ft where I left the road and climbed straight up to the saddle between Teanaway Butte and Pt. 4385. I decided to have my lunch at this saddle enjoying some nice sunbreaks. I had left my snowshoes 200ft below me for the steeper portions of the climb, which was not such a good idea. The snow on the open flat ridgeline would not support my weight without them, after floundering a few more hundred feet, I decided enough was enough. Although little went as planned it sure was nice to be out again. Conditions permitting I will return next week to try from the Middle Fork side.