Dog Mt 6.30.05

With drier weather this week I was eager to climb Dog Mt.. The trail to Anderson Lake has never been my favorite. The lower stretches pass through some areas with several springs making the trail muddy and unpleasant. The road ends nearly two miles before the trail begins adding to the displeasure. However once you reach the polished slabs and rock gardens overlooking Lennox Creek all is forgotten. The weather today was mostly cloudy and quite humid but for the most part dry. I dropped pack at 4400ft,just after leaving the trees and entering the open area before Anderson Pass. My intent was to reach the SE ridge just above the small lake and then on to Dog Mt. summit. I instead headed NW on rockslides until I could reach Dog Mt's open and heathery North slope. I zig zagged my way to the summit in just less than 3 hours. The summit affords some stunning views of Treen and Garfield Peaks. With the mostly cloudy weather the views were somewhat stunted. I could however see my nemisis Cougar Lake. I did not intend on making a 6th attempt today but I at least for the first time saw it's waters. I dropped 200ft SW along the ridge which goes easily towards Cougar Lake. Feeling content that this route would work I returned to the summit. On the descent I had a tendency to drop too quickly and was thwarted with cliff bands. I however made it back to my pack rather quickly. I wanted to have a relaxing lunch but was forced to wolf down my food because the bugs were out in force. I found the bugs much less bothersome when moving. The slog out went more slowly than I would have liked as I reached the car 6 hours after starting.

Bean Peak 6.22.05

My plan was for a summit attempt of Dog Mt., but when I awoke to steady rain I knew I was in for a change of plans. I hoped for drier weather in Teanaway. As usual it was the right call, as I traded my raingear in for sunscreen. I am sure most people use the Bean Creek trail to summit Bean Pk, but my intention was to make a loop trip. I reached the trailhead around noon with mostly sunny weather that was in the low 70's. I passed the turn-off for the Bean Creek Trail and continued on until I reached the County Line trail. I was pleased that there was still plenty of water for the dogs to drink along the way. My plan was to stay on the trail until it reaches the saddle between Volcanic Neck and Bean Pk. When I reached the saddle I was greeted with some very strong winds. Because of the high winds I dropped pack and made my way easily along the ridge reaching Bean Pk in less than 20 minutes. I had hoped to continue South and descend to pick up the Bean Creek Trail in the basin below. The winds were much less on the summit as I searched for a summit register, as usual I couldn't find one. I retraced my route back to my pack and again braved the high winds. I dropped very quickly to get out of the biting wind and had lunch. The weather looked like it might turn for the worse so I opted to run parts of the descent. I am sure this route is much longer than the usual route, but I always like to make a loop if possible. I was happy to make this trip in 4.5 hours leaving me some extra time at home. I had to laugh as I made my way through a very soggy Snoqualmie Pass on the way home. It still amazes me how different the weather can be in areas that are really not that far apart.

Rock Lake 6.15.05

was only looking for a half day today and with the weather dry I thought I would give something brushy ago. My plan was to drive to the end of the Maloney Ridge Road. I thought there might be a fisherman's trail that led to Rock Lake which lies in the shadow of Malachite Peak. I found the trail right away it leaves the road just past the Evans Lake trail and just before the turnaround that ends the road. As I suspected the trail was a bit brushy for the intial 200ft of climb but soon reached some more open forest. The tread was well worn and not hard to follow. I made great time to the small pond just east of Pt 5389. I suspected the trail might traverse to the lake but instead it stays right on the ridgeline. The trail becomes much more of a scramble as it makes its way to the saddle. I was forced to use my hands and had to be quite careful in some areas of minor exposure. I crested and was on to the descent to the lake. The trail follows the ridge to the South until around 5100ft where it drops steeply to the rockslides below. The route is cairned through the rockslide and in the areas of lingering snow I was able to follow some recent footprints. The lake was stunning and there were some decent campspots in and around the many inlets on the North Shore. After last weeks Beagle escapades I left Baxter on the leash for the majority of this trip. I was actually quite suprised in his willingness to follow behind me leashed. I frequently dropped the leash in the many tricky areas where I felt I needed both hands. I did fish a bit catching one small brook trout. My main goal was to scout a route for a northern ascent of Malachite Peak. I think it wouldn't be hard to at least get to the summit block via this route. If I would have left the trail about 200ft above the lake and contured on the rockslides there seems an easy scramble to the lake at 5245. From lake 5245 it appears that it would be no trouble to cross to Panorama lake and then on to the Saddle between North Malachite ( pt 6208) and Malachite's main summit. From there it's all conjecture. This trail while is less than 3 miles is not for everyone I would not like to do this on a wet day or a morning with a heavy dew. To attest to this trails difficult nature it took me 1:45 to reach Rock Lake. I will surely be back in the future to continue towards Malachite Peak summit.

Hawkins Mt. 6.7.05

I managed to get out of bed somewhat early and was off to Teanaway, hoping for some drier weather. As it turned out it was a wise choice I only some some light drizzle and some light snow showers as I made my way to Hawkin's summit. I stopped for a bit at Gallagher Head Lake and then made my way up the jeep road that bends around to Hawkin's highpoint which is it's Western Summit. I dropped pack at around 6100ft. Just as I was about to make my way to the summit my ever annoying Beagle caught a scent and was off. I tried to follow him as he dropped elevation cursing his name at every opportunity. I dropped 400ft of elevation before I gave up and returned to my pack. My hope was that he would be there waiting for me. Of course that wasn't the case. I decided to wait abit hoping for his return, after he had been gone for well over 30 minutes, I feared he had fallen in the gully where the Northern Fork of Big Boulder Creek flows. I dropped into the gully and dropped about 250ft without finding him. I decided to climb out of the gully, and as soon as I reached easier ground I heard Baxter baying. After more than 45 minute he found his way back. Needless to say I was enraged but my relief won out and I was off to scramble the last 1000ft, leashing the dog of course. The remaining 300ft of road climb was steep but went quickly. I left the road and picked my way to the saddle between Hawkins main summit and it's eastern summit ( The Thimble ). There is very little snow so much of the scramble is on scree but footing is fairly good. Once I reached the saddle I headed West and easily reached Hawkin's 7160+ ft summit. The weather was quite cool and windy with almost no visibility and it even snowed lightly. I searched for a summit register with no luck. It took me about 2 hours to 6100ft and then about 45 minutes to the summit. The descent went easily as I quickly returned to my pack. On the way out I scouted a climbers trail to High Esmerlda. There is a trail that leaves the last switchback before Gallagher Head Lake. I had let the Beagle off the leash for the last part of my summit bid, Thinking by now he would be too tired to run off. As I gave thought on giving Esmerlda a go, the beagle was off again. After waiting for a short time I decided to continue my descent, thankfully rejoined 20 minutes later by my dog. I of course releashed him and passed on my 3rd objective of the day of Koppen Mt. Even though it seemed like I spent most of the day fearing I had lost my dog, it turned out to be a great day. I really don't know what to do about my wandering pup. Some times life just doesn't give you a good option. I can't go without him, and I surely can't let him roam free and I don't think either of us appreciate the whole leash thing either. As I reached Snoqualmie Pass on the drive out it began pouring, I sure was glad I hadn't chose a climb on the Western Crest