MIssion Peak 11.09.09

After reading some posts for hikers looking for mid week partners I spent the week PM'ing to try to get a group trip out. The weather wasn't cooperating and I was back to going solo. After a speedy recovery from a cold I was happy to have like2thruhike to sign on. After a 7am meeting we piled into the Subaru and were off. I was delighted that it was dry going over both Snoqualmie and Blewett saving some time. I had considered leaving the dogs at home because Tanner had a split nail and was open and not healing in the least. I was forced to super glue it together earlier in the week and it seemed like it would be a go. After packing up I let the dogs out and immediatlely the nail broke open and for the first time was bleeding. I had for once thought ahead and brought another tube of super glue and thankfully it became a non issue. Since I had been in the area before and I figured the snow coverage would be sparse I wanted to avoid the basalt fields that I remembered from the Northern approach. I really didn't want to spend alot of time on rocks with sketchy snow coverage. Instead I thought it would go to use the access roads for the ski slopes to gain the ridge. I had hoped to first summit Wenatchee Mt. and then traverse to Mission Peak. Since Mission Peak was my primary goal I decided to do that first instead. Just before reaching the ridge we dropped pack and layered up. Since we were on the East side we had been sheltered from the wind. I had a strong suspicion that once on the ridge the winds might be intense. After a short slippery traverse we reached the ridge and were greeted with strong gusty winds. Thankfully we both had taken eye protection because it was doubtful we would have been able to continue with out. There appears to be a trail on the broad ridge and soon we crested a small high point. Since visablitliy was limited I broke out the GPS and were were 40' short of our needed elevation. We dropped to another saddle and climbed the remainder to Mission Peak's summit. I was thankful that we were on the summit because the winds seemed even stronger and we couldn't see what was ahead to the North. Thankfully once scrutinizing the maps I am confident we indeed on the true summit. We had seen lots of worker's on the way up prepping the slopes for the upcoming season. Thankfully every one was pleasant. It was new for me to see a handful of fans hooked to hoses actually making snow. There were a few immense slag piles burning as well on the way up, which again was a surprise to me. We took a slightly different route on the way down and it seemed to take twice as long for the descent. I was thankful to have some good company and enjoyed hearing about the trials of thru hiking our country's great major trails. Even though the weather didn't allow any views it more than made up for with allowing me to feel it's strength. A great day to be out.




Approx 8 miles 2500' of climb 4:30 car to car

Squak West, Squak Main 11.02.09

With the inlaws in town I knew I wouldn't be able to get out this week. I just picked up new boots and I really wanted something to get a head start in breaking them in. I dropped the oldest in pre-school and stopped at Squak Mt. on the way home. Had some hotspots on my heals that evaportated once I adjusted my socks and relaced them. As I made my way along the trail to the main summit I passed the West summit which I quickly dispatched. Just after passing the fireplace I left the trail in a straight line for the main summit. I was surprised to crest a point and then drop some elevation before regaining some back to the summit. I really felt that the first point was actually higher than the area where the towers are located. Upon looking at my topo it clearly isn't but I would like to verify with a GPS. Feeling pressed for time I ran most of the way back on the access road. Although the boots are a little heavy for running I was very pleased with the fit and had no foot issues.




Approx 6.5 miles 1:50 car to car 1800' of climb

Mission Interrupted 10.27.09

I had hoped to get out and stretch the legs today and on that front, mission accomplished. I was excited to hear the predicted heavy snows in the mountains and hoped to see it first hand. As I made my way over Snoqualmie Pass it was really coming down and the plows were out in full force, so far so good. As I made my way to 97 the weather was clear, this was a surprise to me. I was hoping to use the Mission Ridge Trail to summit the ridge high point which is included in the Back Court 100. Since I had never been in Cashmere before it took an extra minute to locate the Mission Creek Road. Once on the road I was startled to find the multitude of broken down cars and trailers that litter a portion of the road. There was a man surrounded by 7 small dogs that looked scary enough for me to consider turning around and going home. To make matters worse I wasn't able to find the trailhead that I was looking for. I soon realized after backtracking a few times that the road is closed just past the junk piles which doesn't allow access to my trailhead. After thankfully passing Mr Mass Murder for the third time safetly I was forced to use the Sand Creek trailhead which thankfully separated by a few miles uphill from my source of uneasiness. I parked frequently looking over my shoulder as I suited up. My only consolation that somenone looking like that would never get away with anything that I was imaging. There was a trail going to my intended target but adding another 10 miles roundtrip on top of the 12 miles I was already planning I knew I had to make a change. There was a branch trail going to Red Hill, a named summit! Seemed like a worthy backup plan. The trail is graded for mountain bike riders and is lacking in steepness. Portions of the trail are muddy and extremely slick, but I managed to stay upright for the entire day. Since the grade was so easy it seemed like an eternity before I reached the first junction at 4.2 miles. Since I had no map I was unclear which direction to proceed. I hung a left, North, and climbed to a nice viewing spot that I assumed was Red Hill. My altimeter didn't match the right elevation so I checked it with my GPS. I was dismayed to find my perch to be lower than Red Hill's summit. I was able to get a cell signal which I was able to confirm that I was not on Red Hill. I backtracked to the junction and continued South and crested another higher point. I still felt 100 feet short but the next bump was quite a ways off and I didn't want continue any further without knowing for sure where I was. The way back seemed endless but I made it back to my car still in the shape I left it. I thankully passed by the junk yard for the last time without incident.




Approx 11miles 2400ft of climb 4:15 car to car.

Bear and Deer Lakes 10.05.09

After missing last week I was overjoyed to see a nice weather forecast for this week. After struggling to get out of the house and being stuck behind a street line painting truck I staggered into the Dorothy parking lot. After seeing the sign that the bridge was out over the inlet I was starting to feel like any summit was not in the cards. I pushed on and made outstanding time to the inlet and crossed without getting my feet wet. The climb to the saddle above Bear Lake also went much quicker than expected. I had hoped to leave the trail below the saddle and head South to Little Bulger 5111' but the North Side of the ridge was drenched and immensely slippery. I decided to continue on to the trail to the campsites between Bear and Deer. I was surprised that there was a work crew camped at the first two sites. It looked like they are either staying for quite some time or have been there for awhile judging by the amount of stuff laying around. I continued past the sites and crossed the creek linking the two lakes. I considered just hanging out in the glorious sun. But soon my itch to keep moving overwhelmed me. I found a decent path continuing on along Deer's shoreline. The path ended in a nice secluded campsite. I decided to see how it would go if I kept on towards the day's goal. I crested a ridge between the two lakes and spied a nice open meadowy area below that I quickly dropped to. The way from there looked like it would go but I bet it would be much easier with all the brush covered in snow. I decided now it would be shorter to just continue with the circumnavigation of the lake instead of returning the way I had come. I crested another small ridge and dropped to another more open area that was in full sun. I dropped pack and enjoyed a sun filled lunch. This area being more open looked like it would be easier to access the rockslides that grant acess to the upper slopes. I decided to climb towards the ridgeline and traverse back to the trail which went fairly easily. Back on trail I pounded out the mileage in the waning sun back to the car. It was nice to steal another sunny day and I now have a much better idea of reaching Little Bulger from the North.




Approx 10 miles 2300' of climb 5:45 Car to Car