CCC Road 11.05.06

Today was family day so a mini hike was needed. I finally broke down and bought a suitable car for my mountain escapades. It seemed like we spent half the day making the car ready for the job at hand. The plan was to drive the North Fork Road until stymied by snow. I wanted the baby to have her first snow experience. Because of our much later than expected start we were only able to make it to the bridge crossing over the North Fork. I parked and we walked the gated road that runs along the North Fork. We only went as far as the Big Creek crossing and called it a day. This report is more to give road conditions than anyting else. The road is mostly potholed until the 4 way intersection. Past the intersection is mostly good was some water over the road. The road seems no worse for wear after last weeks deluge. I had hoped to go farther but time would not allow for that.

Granite Lake Road 10.31.06

I have had a very chaotic work schedule lately, so when I found out that I had Tuesday off I was more than pleased. With sunny weather to boot I had to fiqure out a way to make the day a go. I had my daughter's first Halloween events to consider when making plans. I managed to get out of bed just after 5:30 and was out the door soon after. I was looking for a day with quite alot of mileage. I intended on summit bid of Revolution Peak. My time frame was very contricted so I knew I had to hustle. When I ran into bumper to bumper on HY 18 I was fairly certain the day's goal would be even harder to attain. I parked at the Mailbox parking area and walked to short ways to the Granite Lakes Jeep Rd. Trying to make up some lost time I ran the first half mile or so. I decided that running on an icy roadbed wasn't the prudent thing to do. I hit snow just after crossing Granite Creek. Just after the Granite Lake turnoff I hit a most unpleasant half mile. The small trees were laden with snow making them bend inward to the middle of the road forming a 3 foot high tunnel. Making my way through this was much less than pleasant. This area was shortlived and soon I was on more open ground. It was becoming apparent that time was no longer on my side. I decided to pull the plug after three hours. I lounged for 15 minutes eating a little lunch and enjoying the bright sunshine. I even managed a litte sunburn . The way out went quickly and I was soon on my way to the rest of the day's festivities. I was a little disappointed to find out the plans had been moved back two hours which would have given me more than enough time to complete the day's objective.






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Denny Creek, Melawka Lake, Low Mt. 10.23.06

With another sunny day I eagerly made my way to the Denny Creek Trailhead. I was a little disappointed to find that dog's are now to be leashed on this trail. I usually leash the beagle anyway but it is impossible to leash both the dogs. I decided to leash Tanner instead viewing him as much more of a threat to the hikers I was sure to see on this popular trail. The goal for the day was a summit bid for Low Mt. which is just NE of Granite Mt.. There are a variety of ways to reach this summit. I chose to stay on the trail until Hemlock Pass and follow the ridge to the true summit which is the farthest NE of the high points of this ridge. The ridgeline leading from Hemlock pass is fairly easy to navigate for the first 150 feet of elevation gain. I found the going slower when the ridge degrades to a tangle of pygmy trees. I sometimes worried that I would become wedged between some of the tightly packed branches. After needing to use some higher order gymnastic moves to make it through a 50 ft section where my feet never touched the ground I dropped off the ridge to the SE. Never has the word gymnast been used to describe myself, so I can only imagine how funny it must have looked. After dropping some elevation I made it some easier ground. I started to feel a strong feeling that I should turn back. I usually trust my insticts so I returned to the main trail and made to way to Melakwa Lake intead. I enjoyed the waning sun and scouted some routes for some future climbs. Although the day's objective went unmet I sure enjoyed the day. I have a feeling it will be some time before the weather is this nice again. In the future I will try for Low Mt. via a more direct route. It appears to me one could leave the trail at Snowshoe falls and head West to reach the ridgeline and follow it North to the true summit.

Talapus Lake 10.22.06

Since today was family day I had the privilege of trading in my regular pack with the brand new baby backpack. I was very pleased that we had another beautiful fall day to break in the new gear. I expected some bigger crowds so I left the wild dingos at home. The baby took well to her new digs and we were off for the easy jaunt to Talapus Lake. With the wife keeping good pace we made the lake in no time. Although it was a nice sunny day it hadn't warmed the lake enough for some good lounging time. We stayed a short while until dinner plans didn't afford any more time. We passed the multitudes on the way out getting some great smiles for my precious cargo. I can only hope to have half as special day tomorrow when I retrade for my regular pack and am joined again by my ever annoying pets.