Tonga Ridge 9.22.10

After last week's goose egg in the area I was eager to make it BACK. Last week's effort was cut short because of some substantial back pain. After giving it a day to heal with no results I went to the ER before my drive to Southern Oregon. Other than getting "you are getting old" there wasn't much of a diagnosis. I was given an embarrassing amount of pills to help with the situation.




After having long drive to Oregon I had the pleasure of spending a second day in the ER. This time it was my youngest daughter who I had tried to pick up but her hand slipped out of my hand leaving her hanging by one arm. I heard a nice pop and she was in some serious pain. Needless to say I was upset to cause my daughter so much pain. Thankfully the fix was quick and easy and the little one had no residual pain and soon forgot all about it. Thankfully the rest of the trip went well and we had a wonderful time.





My back was making slow progress but was getting better. I had one day left of my vacation and with the perfect weather I thought I would at least give it a go. I took too long getting out of the house and I didn't reach the end of the Tonga Ridge Road until 12:30. I quickly made it area I had scoped out last week. The plan for today was to go to Mary and Judy Lakes but with the back feeling fine I thought I would add a summit. The first part was somewhat brushy but not at all troublesome. I found plenty of small trails that I followed until I reached the open slopes below my goal of the high point of Tonga Ridge 5596'. I could see what I thought was the summit far to the East so I traversed the heathery slopes and easily made my way to the top. I believe the true summit is actually North of the rocky point through some trees. Just to be sure I touched every and anything that might be taller. I lounged in the nice warm sun in sheltered spot out of the stiff breeze. For the descent I ran the ridge West to avoid as much traversing as possible and easily made my way back to the Tonga Ridge trail.



Approx 5.5miles 2000' of climb 3 hours car to car

Ptarmagin Lakes 9.14.09

Since I have some extra time I thought a nice overnighter was in order. While I was out I thought I could do some crossing out on some lists. I had been to Ptarmagin and Terrace Lakes back in my lake bagging days and thought some of the area peaks needed to be climbed. Sunday night left me with a serious head cold making my head fell like an orange on a toothpick. I hoped a good night's sleep would cure that. When I woke in the morning I felt even worse. Not wanting to spend my first day of vacation lounging around the house I forced myself out the door. The dreary weather evaportated into to some nice sunny weather burning away some of my cold in the process. I couldnt't decided which route to use and since I hadn't been on the portion of the Tonga Ridge Trail that head West from the end of the road I decided that was reason enough. After packing up I made my way up the good trail to the meadows above. When I reached the point where the trail starts to drop I stopped to survey the terrian and decided this would be a good spot on the way out to tackle The Tonga Ridge High point. I soon was in a flat area made my way through the campsite and the trail heading South. As I made my way to Fisher Lake I kept thinking to myself that it wasn't the way I had remembered the trail. I remember a rough rocky muddy and rotty trail and this wasn't much of any of those. Since it was going the direction I wanted to go I didn't give it much thought. I quickly made my way past


Fisher Lake and passed a small tent at the outlet. I crossed the outlet and followed the Fisherman's trail to Lower Ptarmagin. The trail is good but does require some focus. I slowly made my way along the West shore boulderfield mindful of the loose rocks. As I made my way up Upper Ptarmagin I thought about what I would do if the only campsite was taken. Which of course it was, undaunted I pressed on with the intent of camping at Terrace Lakes. As I made my way I found a SMALL area that would suit my bivy sack. I did some minor landscaping and set up camp. I lounged awhile and noticed that my back was becoming increasingly more pained. Puzzled since I hadn't done anything that would induce such a reaction, I thought it would pass. I scouted the way for the next day and it was just as I had remembered, easy. I went back to camp and relaxed. The night went well, although the dogs awoke me a couple of times in the night, once to run out something and once when the beagle decided that he was going to burrow into my sleeping bag no matter what. During the night I was jolted out of sleep by some sort of call that I hadn't heard before. I am guessing it was an owl even though it didn't sound like any owl I had ever heard. I have to admit I was a bit unnerved but as the call stopped I drifted back to sleep. When I awoke I was barely able to stand and it took me quite some time before I was even mobile. I was somewhat confident that my malady would subside once I started walking but I didn't want to find out I was wrong being even farther away from the car. I packed up and made my way back to the trail. As I reached the campsite the campers were gone giving me some thought to hanging out. I decided I better see how my back was going to go before do anything. After reaching the lower lake I decided that since I brought my fly rod I should probably use it. I managed 3 fat feisty Cutthroat's in the short time I fished. The last one I was sight fishing and involved a left handed sidearm cast that I had never tried before. I managed to put the fly right where I wanted and true to form the nice 15" Cutt hit it and provided a more than adequate fight. I repacked and was on my way home. The trail out was much more the way I remember it on the way out and I soon realized that there are two branches of the Fisher Lake trail and by far the East version is the nicer of the two. Since my back was still giving me issues I nixed any ideas of any further climbing and quickly made my way back to the car.

SE Wright Mountain 9.4.09

Not looking for an overly challenging day I thought something benign was in order. When I woke to glorious sunshine I knew I had made the right choice. I parked at the very popular Snow Lakes Trailhead and leashed the Shepard. I knew that seeing many people meant seeing many dogs and I liked my chances better with the larger dog leashed. Thankfully the beagle's new found freedom didn't translate into him taking flight. Not really pushing the issue I made descent time to Gem Lake. Since I had already climbed Wright Mt. I thought the sister summit would be worthy. Since some non conforming summits had been added to the Home Court 100 page on Peakbagger.com it at least gave me something to cross off. I used the trail that heads to the privy and left it before actually seeing it. I crested a small knoll and dropped to a meadowy area dotted with a couple small tarns. From there it was a short boulder field to the summit. While the view to the North are blocked by Wright Mt. the views elsewhere are something to behold. With the clear sunny weather paired with the fresh snow on the higher summits made for some dramatic sights. I stayed on the summit just soaking both the warm sun and great views. For the descent I followed my uptrack to the meadowy area where I entered a nice gully that dropped me onto a loose talus field directly above the trail. The drop was somewhat loose but went well and soon I was on the trail. There were many people to negotiate as I made my way to the car but I managed to make great time.






Approx 10 miles 2500' of climb 5:30 car to car

North Guye, Cave Ridge 9.1.09

With the expectation to be at work late on my day off for inventory my expectations were pared back for this day. I was able to scoot out much earlier than expected with my new found skill of delegagting. In the past the adage "if you want something done right, do it yourself" has come into play heavily. We shall see. Too bad for me my caffeine regimen was set up for a much longer night and I wasn't able to go straight to bed. I slept reasonably well and futzed around the house before finally hitting the road. There were the usual larger amount of cars at the Snow Lake Trailhead which didn't concern me since I didn't think too many were heading my way. The trail was still where it was the last time I was there and it is still easy to follow albeit steepish. It sure but my fitness level under scrutiny and showed I am woefully below my usual standards. Undaunted I pushed on stopping long enough to let a party of five descend. Soon I reached the junction for Guye Saddle and I was on new ground. The trail grade backs off as it makes it to the saddle. Upon reaching the saddle I was surprised it was a 4 way intersection and not the 3 way I was hoping for. I decided to go for Guye first and I thankfully reached a small pond for the dogs to drink and cool off. The beagle who is only7 seems to be having more issues each time out. I am starting to think I may have to leave him home. The scramble to the summit goes easily and I was surprised the amount of exposure to the West. It's a long way down to the car below. The 3 summits are much closer together than what I expected, and I was unable to determine which was the highest. I spied the gully that opens up the route to the two other summits but after doing a Google Search on which summit was the highest I decided that the South Summit would be better attempted with a partner. I have to admit having the technology to access the unlimited info of the internet gave me one more reason not to continue, just what I need. I snapped a few pictures through the hazy skies, before making my way back to the pond. After the dog's again drank their fill I continued North. The path was good and soon I was at another junction. I took the right fork which I had hoped went to the Cave Ridge High Point 5270'. The trail was good and soon I found myself on the summit. The views were just as hazy so I didn't stay long. On my way up Guye I decided to alter my exit strategy and continue East into Commonwealth Basin. Since I was able to get a hold of my wife to let her know I felt like it would be a good way to avoid the knee crunching descent to my car. I half expected the trail to peter out but it stays mostly well defined all the way to the Crossing of Commonwealth Creek. Now it was just easy trail to the PCT parking lot and the 1.5 mile road walk back to the car.




Approx 8 miles 2700' of climb 4:45 car to car