Sorcery Mt. 10.30.07

Feeling like I stole a day of summer weather I was very pleased to make my way along the Middle Fork Road. I have never seen it in such good shape. I guess with all the saved money by closing the gate at Dingford has resulted in more funding for the remainder of the MFR. I set off for a return try of Sorcery Mt. I had tried with out any luck in two previous attempts. I made great time to my jump off point of the Dingford Creek Trail. I left via the fisherman's trail to Horseshoe Lake. The trail has a few more blowdowns than I remember but is easy to follow and makes quick work of the elevation gain needed to get to the lake. I left the trail at 3800ft and headed up. I was able to zigzag my way missing most of the brush and the multitude of rock outcroppings. I crested Sorcery's West Ridge at around 5000ft just leaving a few hundred feet to the summit. The views were worth much more than the effort to reach them. I snapped some quick pictures and I remembered reading a trip report involving a false summit. I was not all together suprised that upon further inspection I wasn't on the true summit. It was of little bother as I quickly made it official ( Sorcery Mt #80 H/C 100). On the descent I stayed on the West Ridge dropping straight to Horseshoe Lake without any problems. I picked my way around the lake to rejoin the trail for the quick descent to the car.




Approx 8 miles 3800ft and 5.5 hours car to car

Fish Eagle Pass 10.24.07

was very excited all week because I knew the weather was suposed to be perfect. After reading some weekend trip reports I was even happier to read that someone had already plowed the way to my intended target Fish Eagle Peak (aka Solomon Mt.). As things go my water heater decided to give it up and I spent half my day waiting for the replacement to arrive. Initially I expected it to take most of the day curtailing any climbing plans. I was excited when the repairman called to say he would be early. By the time I hit the road at 1pm I knew I would have to hustle. I parked at the South Scatter trail head and was off. The trail was mostly free of snow until the upper end of the first basin. I had no poblem with the route since it was plainly in the snow in front of me. I can't say I enjoyed the numerable creek crossings with the somewhat swollen waters. I managed to make it through all without any mishaps. By the time I reached the upper basin it was apparent I would make the summit after dark and I wasn't thrilled with the idea of descending by headlamp. I pushed on to Fish Eagle Pass instead. I had never been there so I thought it would make for a worthy destination. The Pass allows for some great views which I did my best to capture on camera. I picked my way along the ridge to get some pictures of Harding for those who recently summitted without much views. It was quite warm on the ridge which suprised me because it seemed quite cool on the way up. I had a quick bite and donned the headlamp for the descent. The moon was nearly full as it crested the Pass behind me which was quite stunning. I had no problems with the descent which was quite memorable by headlamp.




Approx 10 miles 3000ft of climb 5:00 car to car

Malcolm Mt, Goldwater Mt. 10.09.07

With the heavy expected rains I planned on heading for Teanaway. I was suprised to find it not only dry in the morning but very warm as well. I was treated with some filtered sunshine on my way over Snoqualmie Pass. I was shocked to see the temperature at 63 degrees. It sure helped my mood to know that I wasn't going to get poured on. I was happy to see the Jungle Creek Road in descent shape making for a fast drive. I was happy that I could leave all my layers in my pack. I only wore tshirt and shorts for the balance of the day. I parked at the Way Creek Trail even though I could have driven farther on the 4wd road. I think it would have been passable but the drive back down looked sketchy to me.




I walked the road/trail passing a hunter's camp along the way. I had been on this route earlier this year when it was still under snow. On the previous trip I stayed on the ridge heading almost due north to reach the summit ridge where I headed west to the summit block. I made it to within a few feet of the summit before I turned back due to some unsafe cornices. Today I stayed on the trail making the long traverse to crest Goldwater's SW ridge. I reached the junction with the Koppen Mt trail here which I continued on to the NW. Just after cresting Pt. 4938 I took a climber's trail heading my way. The tread was good and easy to follow. I stayed on this until I reached a boggy area where I left the trail and headed straight up the mostly benign slopes to reach Malcolm Mt's summit at 5480+ft #85 on the B/C 100 list. I snapped some quick pictures and retreated back to the trail. I was suprised to make the summit in around 2 hours quite a bit faster than I had projected.



With some extra time I set my sights for some unfinished business. I retraced my steps to the signed junction with Way Creek Trail. I blew past the junction for the open slopes of Goldwater's West ridge. I had no problems making to the true summit 5220ft #88 B/C 100. I had hoped to cut some distance off by heading more of a SE tact which to the most extent went. I was happy to reach the 4wd road for the ground pounding descent to the car. On the way out I was startled by a hunter who needed a ride. I usually don't pick up hitchhikers especially ones carrying a gun. The hunter didn't really know where he was or where he had parked so I just gave him a ride home. Thankfully his house was on the way.



Approx 8miles 2700ft of climb 4:40 car to car

Chain Lakes 9.25.07

I had hoped for some area peak bagging but I felt like just making it to the Lower Chain Lake a worthy effort. I managed to get out of the house at a reasonable hour and soon I found myself again on the Mill Creek Road. I parked a little lower to access the hidden trail that connects to the Pct just before Lake Susan Jane. This shaves many miles and elevation gain off the standard Stevens Pass entry point. I quickly passed Lake Josephine and gave back all my gained elevation and then some as I made my way down the Icicle Creek Valley. I had layered up and my rain gear was tested by the brushy trail. I reached the signed junction for Chain Lakes and started the 2000ft grunt to the lower lake. Enroute I passed 2 bee's nest one a 4200ft and again at 5000ft. The poor beagle took the brunt of the bees getting stung more than a dozen times. I was pleased to reach the first Chain Lake in 3:15 . I had hoped that the area would be open but instead I found more wet brush. The going I am sure would be relatively easy but my time frame wouldn't allow further exploring. I wolfed down a quick lunch and was set for my soggy return. I managed to miss the first bee's nest but the second I wasn't so lucky. I felt so bad again for the Beagle when is leash got caught in a nearby tree trapping him next to the hive. I managed to get him released without getting stung myself. I made good time before finding another bee's nest on the Icicle Creek trail. I can never remember bees being such a reoccurring theme on any of my previous adventures in the mountains. By the time I reached the ridgeline above Josephine Lake the weather worsened adding a brisk wind to the wet skies. I very thankfully reached the car to try and dry off.




Approx 12 miles 4300ft of climb and 6:30 car to car