Bare Mt, Bare Lake

I was hoping for a nice bit of climbing in an area that holds many special memories. I climbed to the saddle just east of Bare Mt. at approx. 4900ft. I climbed to the north side high above Paradise Lakes. The first part is somewhat steep traversing descent but moderates quickly to some rolling rock gardens. I aimed for the saddle that is above Bear Lakes and quickly dropped to the lakes. I set up camp on the south shore. I than began scouting for my next days objectives of Canoe Peak (pt 5706) Coney Lake and Lennox Mt. I had used the saddle between Pt 5449 and Canoe Pk. on a previous trip to Lake Kanim so I knew that that would be no problem. I turned my attention to the gap just to the NW of Pt. 5616. I climbed to the uppermost Bear Pond and found a easy gully that would give me easy access. As I was dropping to the pond when my attention was drawn to my dog Tanner dropping the last 15ft to the lake much more quickly than He or I would like. He came up lame instantly. He has already blown one ACL and the vet said it would only be a matter to time until he did the other one. Why here? Why now? I hastily retreated to camp and with 5 hours of daylight left I was marooned in the tent. I wanted to keep Tanner off his leg and I knew that Tanner goes where I go. I had faint hope that maybe he just tweaked it and all would be well in the morning, although I knew all to well that would not be the case. I spent a less than restfull night debating on what to do the next day. My options were not good. I knew that there was no way that Tanner would make it throught the boulder fields on three legs much less the climb up the saddle to even get to the fields. I also knew that carrying a hundred plus pound dog would be a massive undertaking. I could just go straight down the outlet to the miner's trail that I knew was below me in the basin. But I couldn't find the beginning to the trail and I knew the end where it meets with the Bare Mt trail is quite overgrown and brushy. I decided that down it was to be. I was much relieved to find the trail almost instanly (didn't I just look in the same place yesterday?). Tanners seemed to be doing well enough as I dropped elevation quickly. The trail is not too bad to follow, I lost it at the open mine but I angled to the piece of heavy machinery in the boulderfield and refound the trail there. I continued on to a junction and headed right downstream. The trail now became much more defined and I even allowed myself to relax a bit. I still had to go through the brushy area just before it rejoins the Bare Mt trail. I lost the trail and bashed my way through a couple hundred yards of some cascade brush at it's best. I broke out into a boulder field I sensed that I was below the trail and climbed about 50ft up to meet the trail just a mere 20ft before it junctions with the Bare Mt trail. I was so happy I was nearly home free. Neither I nor Tanner had any problem with the rest. I now play the waiting game until Tuesday when I find out the extent of his injuries.

Pratt Mt 8.3.04

I had planned a try for Garfield Mt Lakes via the Green Ridge Miner's trail. I however, didn't feel up to this very steep climb. I switched gears and chose to do a much less taxing climb. I chose to climb Pratt Mt. using the Pratt Lake trail as an approach. This route spreads the 3300ft climb over 5.5+ miles, Although it would be quicker and involve less climbing by using the Talapus Lake trailhead. Since this climb is not overly difficult I opted to just wear my sandles and carry a light day pack. I was suprised to find quite a bit of water still running providing the dogs with plenty of water. The temps were quite pleasant so water wouldn't have been much of an issue anyway. Since I was travelling so light I made my jump of point in 90 minutes. I left the trail just below 4600ft and followed the rockslide to just SE of the summit and followed the ridge to the open summit. Just before reaching the ridgetop I spotted 2 deer and their fawn not more than 200 yrds away. I was suprised that it went unnoticed by the dogs. I always enjoy the sight of deer running. After a short stay I downclimbed and rejoined the trail. This route is very pleasant and I am sure provides some beautiful views. However today with the low cloud cover I was only able to see as far as Bandera and Granite Mts. I ran portions of the way out making a quick car to car 4 hour roundtrip. I only saw 2 other people, one man was quite suprised that I would consider doing a climb in sandles. He was quite sure I would ""stub my toe or something"", to be quite honest I much prefer climbing in a good pair of sandles.

Lake Julius, Loch Eilenn, Lake Donald

I was hoping for a nice couple day out in an area that I have really yet to explore. I used the Gale Creek Trail to access Lake Ethel. You must cross the railroad tracks in Merrit, too bad for me there were 3 trains playing three card Monty. While I waited the 30 minutes for the trains to swap their positions I packed and repacked trying to figure why I was carrying so much extra weight. After finally putting the trains behind me I followed the old road to the trailhead near 2500ft. The Gale Creek Trail is in good shape as climbs substainally to around 5700ft before dropping to Lake Ethel. Lake Ethel isn't really much to look at and there are enough campsites to house a small army. Since I still had plenty time I pressed on using the Upper Roaring Creek trail to access Lake Julius. I was pretty much worn out from the 4000ft of climb I had already put in so I nixed my plans for camping my first night at Lake Donald. I set up camp in a somewhat secluded spot and treated myself to a well deserved nap. I intended mearly scouting the route for the next days hike to Lake Donald, but before I knew it I had found the fisherman's trail and was on my way up. The fisherman's trail is found leaving from behind the privy at Loch Eileen. The trail is easy to follow due to the numerous cairns. After staying for only a moment I headed back to camp. I was amazed at the fact it only took me 75 minutes round trip. Without my heavy pack I felt as if I was running up the steep trail. I had planned to go to Larch Lake as well as Cup Lake in the morning. I struggled mightily up to McCue Pass even though the climb is not long or steep. When I reached the pass I noticed quite a bit of smoke drifting my way from the North. I decided that without fully knowing the fire risk, I would head back to camp and out. I saw one other hiker who had camped at Lake Donald, I think he came in by motorcycle via the logging roads that crisscross the area. That certainly takes alot of work out of getting to this beautiful area. All in All it was a productive trip, hitting 4 lakes that I have never been to. There was a substanial 7000ft of climb most of which was done with a pack that was much too heavy. Just to make matters more interesting I was again blocked by trains on the way out. Lucky for me it was only about a 15 minute wait this time

Trap Lake 7/20/04

I had hoped to camp at Upper Thunder Mt lake and climb Nimbus Mt as well as Thunder Mt. Too bad for me I didn't fully read the warnings at the trailhead. I thought they were left over from last year. I started early for me and blazed to Hope lake in much less than an hour. The weather was cool and cloudy with quite a bit of wind and there was plenty of water for the dogs on the way to Trap Pass. I made the pass in just under 3 hours. My intention was to follow the climber's trail to Slippery Slab Tower and then skirt the east side of that to some easier ground to take me to the small pass above Thunder Mt Lakes. I was quite dismayed to find warning signs posted not to go into the Icicle Creek drainage. I dropped pack and scouted the climber's trail for about 1/4 mile. It appears to be much easier if you stay on the west side of the ridge. I returned to my pack and downclimbed to Trap Lake. There is a good sidetrail that leads to plenty of campsites. I chose one with a good view of both Slippery Slab Tower and K9 to the NE. I set up camp only slightly annoyed with not being able to achieve my goal and only slightly more annoyed with the bug situation. I returned to the sancitity of the tent for a short nap. I awoke 4 hours later, much to my suprise, I guess I was more tired than I thought. I gave some thought to climbing K9 on the way out, but with the weather unsettled and the route involving a long vegetated gully I thought the downclimb might be dicey if it where to rain. I made great time on the way out passing a party of 10+ as they were just starting out. I think that is more than the total of people I have seen for the entire year.