Kachess Lake Road 3.23.06

The goal for the day was to get out and get the dogs a good run. I had never been on the road that runs along the east side of Lake Kachess, I was hoping for a summit attempt of Kachess Ridge Pt. 5525. I was unsure what the road condition might be so I brought skis in case the road was snowbound. The road was was not driveable so on went the skis. I have not been on skis in many years, why not ski the 7 miles to where the climb begins? Much to my suprise I got a good rythym going and made to the junction of road 4824 in 2.5 hours. Here I switched to snowshoes which probably are not needed. The road is quite well traveled by snowmobiles. I pressed on until around 3800ft where is was quite apparent that I would neither have the time or the energy to make it to the summit. The return seemed like it would never end, by the time I made it back to the truck I was quite fatigued. The dogs are both feeling the effect today, as I feel quite guilty for nearly incapacitating both of them. 18+ miles 7.5 hours car to car.