Koppen Mountain
Aug 08, 2009
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Aug 08, 2009 07:50 PM
- Type of Outing
- Day hike
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Koppen Mountain
- Region: Snoqualmie Pass -- Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
- Agency: Cle Elum Ranger District
- Trails: Koppen Mountain (#1225)
- Avg Rating: 3.33
- Why You Should Go Now
- Ripe berries
Clouds west of the passes sent us east for higher elevation and views. We settled on Koppen Mountain because it didn't seem to be that popular, was at least 6000ft at the top and less than 10 miles round trip. Oh and some water for our trail dog, Scout.
Left Bellevue @ 730 and were hiking by 945. One car at the TH when we arrived, then one more joined us as we were closing up the car. The trail is best measured in thirds: first is the De Roux Trail for about 1 1/2 miles, second is the spur 1392.1 that switchbacks for a mile, third is the unsigned trail at the saddle that heads southeast (left) for a STEEEEEEP mile to Koppen Mountain summit. Let me stress again the STEEEEEP mile of the last third. Up til that point, we had a nice uphill pace going, nice views of the surrounding peaks & valleys, nice breeze, nice sunshine, no bugs. Except for the horse droppings and the horse pounded trail of dust, it was lovely. But bagging the peak was worth it. This part of the trail is just darn nasty: poorly constructed and just hanging on by its rocky, dusty bits. Once on the peak (don't be fooled by what you want to be peaks too early. you'll know the real one when you get there) we enjoyed 360 degree views of all the peaks: Stuart, Esmerelda, Hawkins, Daniel, Iron, Jolly, and more I don't know the names of. Rainier was behind clouds.
The return was slow going down the STEEEEEP part, then careful in the rocky dusty switchbacks. And then, after returning to the De Roux trail we finally noticed the masses of huckleberries. Thank goodness we had baggies from our lunches to hold them. We picked about 2 cups and could have picked 10. But we left some for you! Go! Soon! They are waiting.
So a great hike, 7 miles RT, 2330ft elevation, some creek action for Scout and low use. We only saw 5 people the whole trip and we had the peak to ourselves for our lunch. Which was a good thing, because it is not that big. Oh, and we signed the peak register, placed in a white PVC cylinder tucked in between the rocks. Thanks to the Blue Dome Mountain Society in Ellensburg. At least that's what I think the name is of the organization that left the cylinder.
Left Bellevue @ 730 and were hiking by 945. One car at the TH when we arrived, then one more joined us as we were closing up the car. The trail is best measured in thirds: first is the De Roux Trail for about 1 1/2 miles, second is the spur 1392.1 that switchbacks for a mile, third is the unsigned trail at the saddle that heads southeast (left) for a STEEEEEEP mile to Koppen Mountain summit. Let me stress again the STEEEEEP mile of the last third. Up til that point, we had a nice uphill pace going, nice views of the surrounding peaks & valleys, nice breeze, nice sunshine, no bugs. Except for the horse droppings and the horse pounded trail of dust, it was lovely. But bagging the peak was worth it. This part of the trail is just darn nasty: poorly constructed and just hanging on by its rocky, dusty bits. Once on the peak (don't be fooled by what you want to be peaks too early. you'll know the real one when you get there) we enjoyed 360 degree views of all the peaks: Stuart, Esmerelda, Hawkins, Daniel, Iron, Jolly, and more I don't know the names of. Rainier was behind clouds.
The return was slow going down the STEEEEEP part, then careful in the rocky dusty switchbacks. And then, after returning to the De Roux trail we finally noticed the masses of huckleberries. Thank goodness we had baggies from our lunches to hold them. We picked about 2 cups and could have picked 10. But we left some for you! Go! Soon! They are waiting.
So a great hike, 7 miles RT, 2330ft elevation, some creek action for Scout and low use. We only saw 5 people the whole trip and we had the peak to ourselves for our lunch. Which was a good thing, because it is not that big. Oh, and we signed the peak register, placed in a white PVC cylinder tucked in between the rocks. Thanks to the Blue Dome Mountain Society in Ellensburg. At least that's what I think the name is of the organization that left the cylinder.
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