Howson Creek 1.19.10

After my recent escapades on skis I was eager to trade my skis in for my climbing boots. I wasn't enthused with the weather forecast so I thought it best to head East. I managed to miss getting wet by any rain. The lack of rain was accompanied by warm weather which turned to the snow flocked trees into my personal sprinkler system. The plan was to use the very seldom used Howson Creek Trail which is just past the Cle Elum River Campground. There is a nice area to park on the West side of the road. There is a small marker which would be very easy to miss. I was shocked to find a car already parked and the trail looks to be well travelled. I doubt that this trail see much action during the height of the season so I was very surprised to see a well worn path. I stayed on the trail to just before the trail crosses Howson Creek where I left the packed trail to make my own way. The snow was variable with some healthy crust which was not stout enough to hold my heft. The going was mostly open and only steep for short periods of time. The deeper snow was a little grueling but I just kept plugging away. Finally the ridge narrowed and I was nearing the top. The last 30' feet was very steep with very low snow coverage. I had to probe a few time for each step to make sure my ice axe had solid purchase. The top was an interesting formation that was narrow enough to cheval. I continued East since the drop was much shorter. I had hoped to continue on to Howson Peak just to the NE, but both my gas tank and time were running low. I instead traversed around the steeper portions and regained my ascent route. The descent went well and soon I found myself once again on the packed trail.




Approx 5 miles 2800' of climb 5:30 car to car

Not So Sasse Peak 1.19.10

I won't take credit for the name of this peak but I ran across a reference to this name so I will go with it. I had expected a rainy and windy morning but when I awoke I saw plenty of blue sky. Not trusting my good fortune I decided to head East just to be safe. Last week I had used the Howson Creek trail for a short ways and was quite surprised to find it well broken. I decided that today would be a good day to see how far this continued. I managed an earlier than expected start and the drive over was bare and wet making for good time. As I pulled near the parking area I was shocked to see someone just starting out. I had forgotten it was a holiday for most. I geared up and was off. I chose to stay in boots since the going was pretty packed. I passed my turnoff from my last week's trip and crossed the creek. I was now on ground that I had never been on. I don't often get to spend time on a trail that I haven't been on in the ALWA especially one that has drive up access. The going was straight forward and the trail remained packed as I switchbacked up the steepish slope. Once I transitioned from the West facing slope of the ascent to the South side the wind had scoured most of the trail for a short ways so I switched to snowshoes. Here the trail looked only to be broken by the person I had seen at the trailhead. I continued following in his footprints making a rising traverse towards the saddle between Sasse Mt and the point I wanted to the West. I had already climbed Sasse many years ago and remembered that the views were mostly non existent. I surmised the point to the West while lower would provide a nice seat to see the area peaks mantled with fresh snow. The track continued towards the saddle but I grew weary of the traverse so I instead headed straight up to the ridgeline above me. I was able to kick good stable steps and soon I was on the ridge. There was a sinlge track descending from the point I intended to climb so that helped speed things considerably. In short order I was on top to soak up the sun and views. The wind was a bit brisk so I didn't linger. For the descent I toyed with the idea of heading north and dropping to the logging roads below. If it wasn't for the fact that the road was untracked I surely would have. I followed the ridge past my uptrack and followed the single track. I decided to descend earlier than the track and soon I was back to my own footprints. Once I was out of the wind I couldn't believe how warm it was. It surely felt like Spring, I even heard some birds chirping as I snaked my way back to the car. As I rounded back to the West I saw where the climber ahead of me had rejoined the trail. I was quite impressed with his pace. I could tell by his stride length that he must be considerably more fit than myself. I felt like I had made good time making the trip in less than 5:30 and I didn't see him again. Another great day to be out.




Approx 8 miles 3400' of climb 5:30 car to car