Church Mountain
Jun 15, 2009
by
jeff
—
last modified
Jun 21, 2009 10:00 AM
- Type of Outing
- Day hike
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Church Mountain
- Region: North Cascades -- Mount Baker Highway
- Agency: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest, Mount Baker Ranger District
- Trails: Church Mountain (#671)
- Avg Rating: 3.73
- Be Aware Of
- Water on trail
- Snow on trail
looking towards summit trail of Church Mountain
I seem to have a knack for taking first-time hikers on incredibly steep hikes in horrible weather and I was true to form on this particular day though the only effect of the weather was to block the views I promised my partner. We started from the fossil creek washout (the new and probably permanent trailhead) and headed up, up, up on the many switchbacks. It was a cool cloudy day and in my opinion(only mine) that the weather was perfect for hiking. The trail was hazard free, apart from a few easily crossed blow downs, to the first creek crossing where slightly spooky snow bridges forced a short detour up and across the trickling snowmelt(be sure to kick in well on the steep bits). The distance to the meadow after the first creek is minimal but has a couple more blowdowns, some avalanche debris and some drainage issues. All this however was navigated pretty easily by my companion who was still clinging to the possibilities of wildflowers, green meadows and views of Baker. We reached the meadow(ahem...snowfield) and given my partner's mood decided not to reach for the summit, but rather eat a nice lunch and turn around. All in all, a nice way to get some exercise and a little elevation(4900').
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