Rampart Ridge 8.23.06

was saddled with the dreaded summer on call shift so I didn't have much more than a half day to devote to climbing. I decided a summit of the Rampart Ridge high point would afford me the proper amount of time. I used the fisherman's trail that begins at the end of the logging road that runs along Rocky Run Creek. This is a spur road that branches off of Road 4934 at around 3300ft. The road is in great shape other than the encroaching brush. I was suprised to find three vehicles at the trailhead along with an empty tent. I was a little nervous due to my ankle injury of two weeks ago. I thought a day to test the waters would be good. As it turned out the ankle only gave me minimal discomfort. I took the side trail to Lake Laura only because I have passed by it on previous trips. As I suspected it wasn't really worth the short side trip. I made Lake Lillian in about 50 minutes. You can plainly see the climber's on the north side of the lake. I needed to use this trail to access the summit ridge. There is a way trail that goes around the lake, I chose not to use this trail because there is some tricky rock work to make around the lake. I instead backtracked a couple hundred feet to another way trail that is quite defined that climbs east up and over the rock and then drops to regains the way trail. I proceeded up the climber's trail making the ridge with little problem. It was very cloudy so I was unable to see my objective. I found a well worn boot path going my way so I joined it only to summit a point 200ft lower than my intened goal. I was really running short on time but I just couldn't be so close without closing the deal. I dropped down a sandy gully to one of the many area tarns. The desent in this gully was pretty straightforward. I rejoined the trail that continues on to the Uppermost Rampart Lake. Just as the trail crests a small saddle and drops into the Rampart Lake Basin there is another climber's trail which takes you easily to the 5870ft summit(#43 on the Homecourt 100).I was glad that I was able to get cell reception to call work to see if I had to work, I thankfully didn't. The way out went a little slower than I would have liked, I just didn't feel like my ankle could take any rapid descents.








2500ft of climb 4:20 car to car.

Augusta Lake, Ida Lake Big Jim Mt, Frigid Mt. 8/9/06

For the first time is quite some time I found myself with a window of time with nothing expected of me. Not knowing when this might happen again I decided to make the most of it. I had loosely planned a loop trip keeping in mind that my trips are always a bit fluid.




Day 1:



Hatchery Creek trailhead to Augusta Lake. The trail is abit brushy from the onset, I wouldn't want to do this when raining. The trail is heavily used by horses so it is also dusty as it switchbacks up to the Badlands Junction at 5300ft. I stayed on the Hatchery Creek Trail as it meanders it's way along the ridge passing through some lovely meadows and an old burn from I believe 1994. The trail climbs to meet with the Icicle Ridge Trail at 6700ft. I then dropped 400ft of elevation to the lovely basin below and reclimbed the balance to Lake Augusta at 6854. The weather was a bit warm and coupled with the heavy pack I was suprised to have taken 5 hours to cover the 8.2 miles and 4400ft of climb. There was just enough water along the way to keep the pups hydrated, I was was glad to have brought plenty of extra water with me. I set up camp right near the outlet in a nice spot which was quite dusty. There was a father and young daughter camped just to the NE of me. It warmed my heart to think before to long I will be doing the same thing with my daughter. I exchanged pleasentries not wanting to interrupt there bonding time. After setting up camp and making dinner I tried some fly fishing. There were many very small trout rising. I managed to land one monster 4 inch brook trout. The second goal for the day was to summit Big Jim Mt. which cannot be seen from the lake due to it's highest point further North. I know that you can take the trail to the pass at 7300ft and do a long traverse along the ridge. I was more in the mood for a more direct route. When I was fishing I noticed that the slope just to the left of Pt. 7616 is much more moderate than it appears from further away. I easily went straight up this to the ridgeline and then just followed the easy ridge to the NW. I did not find a register, there were two bronze stamps on the summit instead. I more or less followed my up route for my descent returning to camp in less than 90 minutes. I was treated to an Osprey hunting, which made me laugh due to the quite small fish. Hardly worth the calories expended. The wind was quite gusty during the night lucky for me I had picked a somewhat sheltered spot.



Day 2:



I had planned to break camp and make my way to Big Jim Mt Lakes. The plan was to climb Frigid Mt and Painter's Thumb along the way. I just didn't feel like lugging my heavy pack any further than I really needed to.Yesterday,from the summit of Big Jim Mt. I could see Frigid Mt. it looked a bit cliffy from this vantage. My plan was to travel light and just see if I could sniff a route to the summit. I left around 10am with much cooler temps. I easily made to the 7300ft pass and dropped 1100ft to the basin below. The trail goes through many meadows and marshy areas making the trail a little obscure. There was alway a cairn when I needed it and I found myself at Carter Lake in less than an hour. Carter Lake is nothing to look at I wouln't be suprised if it froze completely in winter. I picked up a trail leaving Carter which I wasn't sure if it was mine or a way trail to Ida Lake. The trail was very well worn so I decided to explore. The trail ends in a marshy area devoid of any trees. This area is quite expansive. I instead climbed a nice ramp that climbs to the SW. I rode this ramp until around 6600ft where I could plainly see a climbers trail that goes over the saddle to Ida Lake. I easily traversed to this trail and made my way to Ida. Ida Lake is one of the most scenic lakes I know of. I was only dismayed that I had left my flyrod at Carter Lake. I only stayed briefly on the way out I followed the path which I lost around 6300ft but I just dropped easily to the marshy area plainly in sight. When I returned to Carter I noticed my trail leaves the NW corner of the lake. I was sure I had no chance to summit Frigid but I thought I might as well give the route a look. The trail crests at the 6600ft pass. I dropped pack and climbed to the North Ridge. I had little problem attaining this ridge but I was sure I would be stymied there. To my suprise it was quite open and mostly benign. I was so suprised to pop out on the summit. I had never really had much hope of making this ascent. There are three points on the summit ridge. I travered to the middle point to see that it was higher than the southern point but lower than the northern point. The map shows the southern as the highpoint, but I am quite sure the northern is the highest. I very carefully downclimbed to my pack and enjoyed lunch. Now all that was left was the descent to Carter and the 1100ft climb back to the pass above Augusta. The climb to Augusta Pass is in full sun and both the dogs and I struggled with the heat. I was very glad to crest the pass and drop the 500ft back to my tent. If the wind wasn't enough the night before it was even gustier on this night. Between the spotlight of a full moon and the roar of the wind sleep did not come easily.







Day3: Back to the truck. The day started out with many little things not going quite right. I should have known I was in for some trouble. Not 5 minutes down the trail home I rolled my ankle bad enough to make me scream. I have done this before so I knew my only hope was to keep walking before it really started swelling. The pain was tolerable becoming less painful as I went. I still had 8 miles to go so I was a little concerned. I was suprised to make such good time with one bum wheel. Things changed as I began the descent in earnest.I literally watched the elevation tick off 10ft at a time as I made my way down the last 1000ft of climb. I have NEVER been so happy to see my truck. I as cautiously optimistic about the status of my ankle. Approx 26 miles 10200 ft of climb 16 hours of climbing

Evans Lake 7.30.06

After missing last week I was eager to get out again. For this trip it was a special family outing. We left the wild dingos at home. I instead brought my wife and daughter for her ""first hike"". I use the term hiking loosely since she has yet to take her first steps. She was a trooper as we made our way along the 1/3mile and 30ft elevation gain to Evans Lake. It was fun to see the wonder already in her eyes. The weather had been raining quite hard in Monroe and I doubted we would even make it out of the car at the trailhead. There were 3 cars already there when we arrived. This hike is as family friendly as any I know. The lake itself is somewhat shallow and not much to look at. Of course it started to rain as soon as we set up shop on the Northern Shore. I snapped some family pictures and threw a fly for a bit before it became to cold and wet for the little one. There was a couple spin casting for shore and a couple of guys in belly boats out fishing as well. I did see some decent fish but didn't witness any landings. We made it back to the truck only becoming midly wet from the brushy trail and enjoyed our picnic in the truck. The only damper on the day was the two hour trip from Skykomish to Monroe. I think at some point something must be done. With talk of putting a toll on Snoqualmie Pass I imagine this situation only becoming worse.

High Esmerelda, Deroux Peak, Koppen Mt 7.17.06

After last weeks wonderful loop trip I was looking for another outing of similar nature. I managed to get an early start so I knew I would have the time required. I left the Deroux Campground with warmer than expected temps but nothing that was overbearing. I made quick work to last switchback at approx 5400ft where I found a climber's trail which was not easily followed. I merely took the path of least resistance to 6000ft where I dropped pack. The climber's trail becomes abit more defined higher up which helped speed up the ascent. I crested the ridge at a small saddle where I continued Westerly which is the highest point of the Esmerelda group of peaks. High Esmerelda comes in at #49 on the Back Court 100. I signed the summit register and drank in the splendid views. I quickly downclimbed and refound my pack. Instead of following my upclimb path I angled more westerly to rejoin the trail closer to Gallagher Head Lake. I stopped for lunch and let the hounds drink their fill. Both dogs had some overheating issues on the way up so I thought it prudent to keep them over hydrated. There was two others at the lake I just waved and was on my way for the day's next objective (Pt 6260). I followed the jeep road until it's end near 5600ft where I left it for the scree slopes that I hoped would take me all the way to the summit. I was a bit concerned about the last 100ft but I found an easy gully which popped me out just North of the Summit. I could see the Paris Creek trail below me in the basin which would have been an easy descent. I chose however to follow the ridge South to satisfy my curiosity. I was curious to see if this peak had the 400ft of prominence required to be included in the Back Court 100. It's elevation would rank it #69. I found an even 400ft with my altimeter and I rechecked it with my GPS and found it to be around 415 feet. I would be curious if my figures were off or it was just an ommission. I was concerned about the Paris Creek trail because I thought it would be seldomed used. I was relieved to both have running water in few spots and that it was free of brush and easy to follow. The area seems to get alot of horse traffic keeping it dusty and open. I passed a camp with some large tents, I didn't seem to me like there was anyone there. At the junction of the Deroux Spur I took this trail to the ridgeline and dropped pack near a nice campsite on the ridge. I then followed the Climber's trail 1200ft of elevation to Koppen Mt's summit. I signed the register and high tailed it back to my pack. I was running abit behind so I didn't want to stay too long. The balance of the trip went a little slower than I hoped but soon I was back to the truck.








Approx 18 miles 5000ft of climb 8.5 hours truck to truck