Red Mt. Area Cle Elum 8.31.05

With my life lately being a whirlwind of strife I eagerly hit the trail today. My intention was to try for a double summit of Red Mt. and finishing with Thorp Mt.. I had previously been to Little Joe Lake and I remember that a logging road bisects Trail 1330, so my plan was to drive to this intersection and follow Trail 1330 to Little Joe Lake. I figured this would save enough time and distance to make this possible in a relative short span of time. I had no problem finding the proper logging road but was disappointed to find the road undrivable after a half mile. I decided that I would just walk the road until it's end and play it by ear. I decided that the road grade was not taking me to my goal fast enough so I jumped off road and made a direct line to the trail above me. I reached the trail to find that I was much more west than what I was expecting. I just crossed the trail and continued climbing reaching Pt. 5236 easily. Although this point isn't on any list of peaks it was worth the effort with some great views of Chimney Rock and a nice perspective of Bear's Breast Mt. I decided instead of making the long traverse to Red Mt I would instead make my way to Thorp Mt. I was more in the mood for a hike that stayed on trail. The dogs seemed to have some issues with the warmer weather. It wasn't that it was actually that warm I think instead it was more of an issue in difference in temps. I quickly made my way to the climber's trail that takes you to the lookout on top of Thorp Mt's summit. I was quite interested to see that the lookout seems to be used quite often. The views were quite good of the mostly snowless peaks of the Central Cascades. I made my way down via the Thorp Creek Trail forcing me to retrace the last half mile I had driven to reach the parked truck.

Bare Mt 8.24.05

I was hoping for a summit of Canoe Pk which lies just east of Bare Mt. At 5706 ft. Canoe ranks at #49 on the Home Court 100. My plan was to leave the Bare Mt. trail at the start of the first switchback and follow the miner's trail to Bear Lakes and reach the ridgeline from there for what I expected to be an easy walk to the summit. I reached the trailhead after 1pm but I knew I would have plenty of daylight. I was much suprised that it was raining when I set off. I knew that the Bare Mt. trail is very brushy just before my jump off point and only gets worse for some time after leaving trail. In reading the notes that the ranger had left posted I was very happy to read that the trail had been recently brushed. Trail crews had done a great job in clearing a large swath keeping me mostly dry. Upon reaching the miner's trail it was another story. I had come down this trail on a previous trip so I was somewhat familiar with the trail, the first part is the hardest to follow but in reaching the forest becomes quite defined. When I reached the rockslide I just followed the steel cable that points the way to the mine higher up on the hillside. When I reached the mine I looked at the steeper parts above me remembering that there is a part that features a rope to help climb up. I was as wet as one could be and the weather had stopped raining but looked more ominous by the moment. I didn't want to get caught soaking wet on a exposed ridge, so I decided to backtrack to the Bare Mt. trail. As I made my way back I couldn't decide whether or not to return to the truck or climb to the former site of Bare Mt. Lookout. I was much suprised that upon reaching the trail I started the climb without any hesitation. I mean I could only get drier as I climbed. Even though I was wet and somewhat cold my legs were very strong as I zoomed to the summit. At around 4600ft the dogs started flushing quite a few birds, nearly catching them in the process. As I neared the summit some weak sun shone through giving some much needed warmth. I love the vantage point of this summit high above Paradise Lakes, I have many great memories from these lakes as well as Kanim Lake to the east. I only stayed a short time to eat lunch and catch whatever sun I could. On the descent I was shocked to see Tanner actually catch one of the birds. I felt so badly yet I couldn't help but chuckle at Tanner he really didn't seem to know what to do with the bird after he had caught it but seemed very proud of himself. I made it back to the truck 5:30 after starting doing 4000ft of climb.

Jolly Mt 8.18.05

I had some grand plans for some multiple summitting, but when I awoke at 6am to some drizzle I knew my day would be pared down. I wasn't opposed to hiking in the rain but I first had to make sure all the tarps that are serving as my roof while we remodel were not leaking. I was very happy to find our intricate tarp system was keeping the inside of the house dry. I got a much later start than what I was hoping for, but at least the weather was improving. I used road 4315 which takes you to near 5000ft before it is gated. I parked and headed up the road until I met with the Sasse Mt Trail. I followed this to the junction of the Jolly Mt trail and followed it to the summit. Jolly Mt's summit is adorned with a beautiful windbreak which I very thankfully used. I returned to the trail and continued on the Jolly Creek trail towards The Lourvre (Pt. 6394). I decided on not going any further and retreated to the truck.




approx 6 miles 1900ft of climb and 3 hours car to car.

Lux Mt. Sopwith Camel 8.11.05

With only little more than a half day to devote to climbing I wanted to squeeze a double summit in. I chose these obscure peaks because of their easy access via the Tunnel Creek Trail. I do not know of any other trail that so easily gives access to the ALWA. As I made my way through Monroe I was treated some nice drizzle but as I made my way up Hy 2 the weather became drier and drier. The road to the Tunnel Creek Trail starts about 200 yards after Hy 2 becomes divided. The road climbs steeply but is in great shape. I passed Hope Lake and continued on the PCT until the saddle above Swimming Deer Lake. There is a distinct fisherman's trail that drops steeply to the lake. I found a great campsite at Swimming Deer but I only stayed for a moment because I had a schedule to keep. I reclimbed nearly all of the fisherman's trail leaving it when it strayed from my next objective of Lux Mt. I zig-zagged my way up the moderate slopes until I reached the summit block. There is a ledge that leads around the West side to easier climbing. There are little views from Lux only it's inclusion into The Back Court 100 (#83) make it a worthy climb. I retraced my route back to the saddle and was on to Mig Lake to give the dogs some water. I passed a man who was doing the entire PCT solo, He had started in mid April and was a little worse for wear. I tried to bolster his drive as much as I could. After the dogs tanked up at Mig Lake I was off to my second goal of the day, Sopwith Camel Mt. I easily made my way to the small pond between Mig Lake and Sopwith and dropped pack. I had no problem reaching the 5040ft summit which ranks it a lowly #89. I had a slight navigational problem on the way out when I reached Mig Lake before I reached my pack. I had to backtrack until I thankfully refound my belongings. I was happy to see quite a few groups enjoying the much improved weather as I steamed back to the truck.




approx 10 miles and 3400ft of climb 5:15 car to car

Alaska Mt, Ridge Lake 8.3.05

I was hoping for a double summit today I wanted to start with Alaska Mt. and finish going over Red Mt. I used the PCT as my approach and hoped to use the Commonwealth basin trail for my return making a nice loop trip. I steamed into Ridge Lake in under 3 hours and dropped pack. I found a nice hiding spot, with quite a few people in the area I didn't want to leave my gear unattended. I made good time to my jump off point for the summit bid of Alaska Mt. I waited to leave trail until reaching the saddle before you drop towards Joe Lake. I easily picked my way to the top of the first false summit. I dropped a bit of elevation before the final push to the summit. The views were well worth the four hours of effort to get to that point. I dropped more in a southwestern direction and rejoined the trail in a much more direct fashion. On returning to Ridge Lake I took some time to rest and fuel up. I noticed some nice size rainbows rising so I broke out the fly rod. I managed in the short time I actually fished one very pretty rainbow. Feeling a bit fatiqued I couldn't decide if I should continue my loop route. I climbed to the ridge top and onto just before the top of Point 5721. I was not able to find a dog friendly route over the top so I returned to the PCT for the long slog out. Becky's guide makes it seem like it should be an easy traverse but from my vantage point it seemed out of my league. There is a good size gap at around 5400ft that looks quite imposing as well as the summit block which seems overly steep. I will be quite content to use the more tradtional route to Red Mt's summit. To change things up a bit I used the Commonwealth basin trail for route out. I think it does save some time over the PCT.




18+ miles 4050ft of climb 9hrs car to car