Chain Lakes 9.25.07

I had hoped for some area peak bagging but I felt like just making it to the Lower Chain Lake a worthy effort. I managed to get out of the house at a reasonable hour and soon I found myself again on the Mill Creek Road. I parked a little lower to access the hidden trail that connects to the Pct just before Lake Susan Jane. This shaves many miles and elevation gain off the standard Stevens Pass entry point. I quickly passed Lake Josephine and gave back all my gained elevation and then some as I made my way down the Icicle Creek Valley. I had layered up and my rain gear was tested by the brushy trail. I reached the signed junction for Chain Lakes and started the 2000ft grunt to the lower lake. Enroute I passed 2 bee's nest one a 4200ft and again at 5000ft. The poor beagle took the brunt of the bees getting stung more than a dozen times. I was pleased to reach the first Chain Lake in 3:15 . I had hoped that the area would be open but instead I found more wet brush. The going I am sure would be relatively easy but my time frame wouldn't allow further exploring. I wolfed down a quick lunch and was set for my soggy return. I managed to miss the first bee's nest but the second I wasn't so lucky. I felt so bad again for the Beagle when is leash got caught in a nearby tree trapping him next to the hive. I managed to get him released without getting stung myself. I made good time before finding another bee's nest on the Icicle Creek trail. I can never remember bees being such a reoccurring theme on any of my previous adventures in the mountains. By the time I reached the ridgeline above Josephine Lake the weather worsened adding a brisk wind to the wet skies. I very thankfully reached the car to try and dry off.




Approx 12 miles 4300ft of climb and 6:30 car to car

Lake Lillian, Rampart Lakes 9.18.07

I had hoped for some better weather today and I was mostly disappointed. I wanted to run the Rampart Ridge to East Alta to scout out routes for future trips. I was concerned with Rocky Run Road but the scary reports were very much overstated. The road is washed out for a short portion but is easily circumvented. The encroaching brush near the end is substantial but I managed to squeeze the Subaru without much trouble. I parked and loaded up with some warmer gear and was off. The weather was dry but the brush wasn't. The initial portion of the trail to Lake Lillian is brushy but once the climb commences it opens up nicely. The going is steep but it is less than a mile to Lillian. This route shaves many miles of the standard approach. At Lillian I met a couple who just arrived and was very curious about my shortcut. There was a pair of hunters just making their way West around the lake. I told them that there is a easier and much safer way heading East. I backtracked a couple hundred yards and found a nice climbers trail that goes over the rock slabs that make the lakeside traverse less than thrilling. I had no problems making my way around the lake and soon was climbing steeply to the ridgeline. I easily followed the fisherman's trail to the uppermost Rampart Lake. The visilbility was next to zero so I continued to the next lake in the chain. This area being a bit more open was very cold and windy. I decided that the weather was becoming more and more unpleasant. This proved to be a wise choice when on the way out it began to snow. On the way out I topped out on Pt 5610 which lies just East of the highpoint of Rampart Ridge. I retraced my steps and was on my way back to Lake Lillian. I was concerned with the footing for the steep descents which proved to be unwarranted. As I dropped from Lake Lillian the clouds broke up giving me my only views for the day.




Approx 9 miles 2500ft of climb 5 hours car to car

Claire and Marion Lakes 9.10.07

I had a late appointment in Wenatchee that didn't let me go until after 3, so I thought I would try and make something out of a day half wasted. I enjoyed the nice sunny drive over and managed to find my appointment in a town I had never been before. I was hoping to try a more direct route back to Blewett Pass by using the Liberty Beehive road. I managed to make it to around 5700ft before the road overmatched my car's capabilities. I was forced to turnaround which was no small feat. I managed to get stuck for a short time but with some persistence I was able to break free. I backtracked to spot where a truck was parked next to what seemed like a good trail heading up. I thought I would investigate. The tread was good and passed through an area devastated by a massive wind gusts. There were more trees on the ground then were standing. Lucky for me they had all been sawed out. I was suprised to round a bend and find Clara Lake. Just a short ways later lies Marion Lake. There was a man fishing at Marion with a small dog. My dog Tanner and the fisherman's dog didn't get along very well. I was running short on time so I just headed up hoping to climb something. I tried to head for any little pocket of greenery trying to miss the huge unstable Basalt fields. I exited the basalt fields to a tangle of small trees and deadfall before my turnaround time was reached. I was cautious on the way down as not to dislodge any rocks onto my pets. Soon I was back to the car for the long drive home.




Approx 4 miles 900ft of climb