Trip Reports

Despite the nice weather, the parking lot was less than half full when we arrived at noon, and the trail wasn't crowded.

Days are getting short, so we didn't hike in more than a few miles before turning around. The trail up to that point was almost like a stroll in the park; just two small stream crossings. The trail branched several times; we always followed the more worn branch. Not sure it even matters...

Other than birds, the only wildlife we saw were several Bighorn sheep (on the south ridge of the canyon).

The TUUC Intrepids rove again! Duckabush River is great hike even in the rain! Once we found the righthand, uphill unmarked short side road to trailhead, and donned our raingear, we enjoyed the freshness of a rainy forest...sparkling rain gems on ferns, many busy little creeks and mini waterfalls...with help of fellow intrepids we crossed one busy creek that lacked a bridge. Occasionally sun shot through the clouds and mist, highlighting shrubs and trees. The maples are covered with intriguing drapes of moss, many fungi, great picnic spot by the side of the river. Intrepids forever!

Not too many surprises up there if you've been there before. As always MB delivered a steep and muddy workout. Not terribly scenic but absolutely fun regardless. We left Seattle at 8:30 and were back by 2pm. The trail actually looks much better than it did a few years ago when I last visited. Although the DNR has labeled "unmaintained" there clearly has been work to improve the tread and reduce the multiple trails and erosion.

Parking is generous, the first 1/2 mile is a logging road. The trail starts off easily in 2nd growth and then quickly starts ascending. 3/4 or so of it's 4000' gain is in the trees. Once we gained the ridge the wind was relentless. The wind and snow howled over the ridge with drifts as much as thigh deep.

We actually counted 25 hikers and three dogs. Hardly the little visited I-90 trail that it once was.

The first winter storm of the season was blowing. Up to a couple feet of fresh snow fallen or falling. Where to go? I chose an easy drive. I headed up I-90 and took the Denny Creek exit to the Pratt Lake parking lot. Most folks on this trail turn off after a mile and head up Granite Mountain. With possible deep snow up high and lightning in the forecast I chose to stay on the Pratt Lake route. Only 7 or 8 cars in the lot when I started out at 9:00 am. I was raining lightly.

The first patches of snow appeared at about 2800' after crossing the big creek and switchbacking up the far side. By the time I reached the creek crossing with a small waterfall there was a little snow on the trail. I could now see several footprints and one set of dog prints. The trail is mostly in the forest. In the few open sections the snow went from nearly non existent to a few inches deep.

The route turned away from the highway and up the valley of Talapus and Olallie Lakes. It was very quiet now and the last of the rain had turned to falling wet snow. By the long board walk there was six inches of snow on the ground. At the Olallie Lake junction the footprints all continued up the Pratt Trail. Looked like I'd have my trail breakers a little longer. I had thought about going to Pratt or Rainbow Lakes but my progress was slowed by the snow and photo opportunities and I began to think a little less ambitiously.

Soon I met two of the trail breakers who were heading down. They mentioned one guy and a dog still ahead. When I reached the Olallie inlet creek the snow was more than a foot deep. The crossing was easy though the creek was much wider than a month ago. The trail is nearly flat as it traverses above Olallie Lake at the end of the valley. I reached the Olallie Lake overlook and left forest. Here the snow was more like 18 to 24 inches deep. The clouds were so thick I could not see the lake right below me. With only one person ahead of me the slogging became more work in the deepening snow.

At the Pratt - Defiance trails junction I stopped. Tracks continued on the Defiance Trail. With the narrow trail on steep slopes ahead and the deep snow I chose to turn around. After a long dry summer it felt a little strange to be wallowing in snow again. I should have quite a few months to get used to it again. The snow was falling much harder now and my footprints were rapidly being filled in. The trip down was easy enough as the trail is gently graded.

Below the Olallie junction I met a couple headed to Olallie Lake. They were in good spirits despite the gray day. Much farther down I passes several more groups heading up. On the last 1 1/2 miles there was some water on this usually dry trail. I took some time to route it off the trail. This slowed me down enough for the lead trail breaker and his dog to catch up. They had gone part way towards Island and Rainbow Lakes before the steep slope and deep snow turned them around. Back at the trailhead there were more cars than in the morning but the lot was still not full.

I ended up with just about exactly what I had hoped for. No snow to drive in but snow on the trail after the first mile and a half. Eight miles round trip with 2400' of gain was a good workout without using snowshoes. They would have been necessary to have gone much farther. I really like hiking after the first good snowfall of the season. Avalanche danger is still minimal. The last leaves of fall are now covered with the first snow of winter. It can be a beautiful time to be in the mountains.

More photos can be found at: http://www.hikingnorthwest.com. Go to "Trips-2009" on the left margin.

Started at 12.30, light rain. Trails often full of water, like walking in stream. Stream crossings are easy enough for experienced hikers, may be unpleasant for newbies. Light snow at about 2300ft, not quite an inch at the lake. Snow-covered bridges sloped gently sideways, requiring care to not slip.

Autumn golds and yellows still around. Very beautiful. Light steady rain most of the way up. Was snowing on top. Dry for a bit to allow photography. Rain/snow picked up and was heavy by 4.30. Pretty dim light by 5pm. Headlamp came in handy to keep my feet dry on last stream crossing abot 20 min from car. Was pretty full on dark by 5.30.

An 18in diameter tree blocked trail about half way. Easy to walk around.

Great day to test out your gear - can you stay comfortable in all day rain and wet snow with temps in 30s and 40s?

I wanted to get in one last Snoqualmie Pass area hike before the snow starts to arrive, so I picked this hike.

I wasnt too sure about this hike route since other folks have mentioned its a bit hard to find or not well marked getting to the top of Mt Washington. But I found it somewhat easy to follow -- once you locate the start of the trail. The leaves now cover most of the steep rocky trail up to Owl Hike Spot.

The streams along the way seemed to be going fairly strong for so early in the season.

Some snow is on the upper part of the hike -- nothing really covering the trail except at one point.

I wasnt too sure about the Great Wall route, so I took the Mt Washington trail to the top. Kudos to the folks that have done the work on this trail -- its in really good shape.

The top was a bit windy, but had some great views. I headed back before the rain really got heavy.

Nice hike, a bit steep for long periods, so I wouldnt bring kids -- no one was on it today, maybe scared away by the rainy forecast. More photos at www.weekendhike.com

Gazing at the snow-crowned Olympics from by desk at work a few weeks ago, I knew that the time for heading into the high country was over. But things can change. When the clouds broke on Tuesday, it was not just snow-free mountains that appeared, it was a glint of hope. And when Steve Pool said the weather Wednesday would be, shall we say, unseasonable for Novemeber, the use of a vacation day was assured. Said I, "Mt. Townsend, here I come!!!!!"

Though I knew the summit was snow free, I didn't know, so I took along a small assortment of gear to make sure I could tackle and snowy/icy patches I encountered. It wasn't required though. The trail was in beautiful condition, as bare and dry as it might be in late August. After having resigned myself to the fact that my next time in the wilderness would require snowsnoes, it was a magnificient treat...Novemeber and still able to get "up there" with just a pair of boots.

The views were as astounding as always. The high clouds and light haze failed to obscure the views of the volcanos from St. Helens to Baker, The San Juans, Victoria B.C., and the skyscrapers of Seattle. The views westward towards the Dungeness valley and the inner Olympics beyond were equally stunning. Yet, these expansive views were also tinged with a note of sadness. What is a land filled with lush green meadows filled with wildflowers during summer is now brown, brown, brown. The mountains have tasted snow, and the flora have entered into their winter hibernation. It is a fascinating constrast to spring. In spring, things are equally brown, yet the world teems with life...buds are filled, things are growing, and even a few early bloomers, tired of waiting, have burst out. But now, as the wild prepares itself to spend the coming months cocooned in snow, those signs of life, those rays of hope, are absent. The colors are the same between Spring and Fall, but the interpretation is different.

The low sun angles made for some great lighting for photos, but thanks to the 1MB limit, I don't get the share the good ones. My apologies.

With storms predicted to arrive in the mountains soon, I decided to take advantage of today's fair weather and take a hike to Mason Lake. The Ira Spring Trail was dry and free of snow all the way to the lake. I lingered at the lake's shore for awhile, enjoying the warmth of the sun gleaming through the thin high clouds veiling the sky. Occasional strong gusts of wind blowing from the east were a reminder that the storms are out there, lurking just offshore. Winter will arrive soon in the high country.

Last winter's storms did some impressive damage to the Ira Spring Trail near Mason Creek, but bypasses have been built around the landslides. The rest of the trail is in fine shape.

 

Talk about mushrooms! The Angels Wing mushrooms were so plentiful that after I filled two sandwich bags, my hiking partner had to keep me in check with the command "Leave it!"

Barclay Lake is an easy 4 mile round trip with little elevation gain and plenty of lush mosses, deep dark forests, little holes under tree roots that any hobbit would enjoy. The trail to the lake is dry and well maintained with lots of fresh turnpikes. There is only one spot where an upended treeroot damaged the path. The lake has many good campsites, pleasant beaches, and the stunning face of Mt. Baring overhead. That's the easy part. The way to Eagle Lake is altogether different.

At the far end of Barclay lake is a sign for a toilet, then a wood bridge. Just after the bridge is a faint, unmarked trail going uphill. In fact, there are several faint trails evidenced only by the relatively thicker collection of autumn detritus and the occasional pink ribbons. There is a Wild Sky Wilderness sign and thankfully little undergrowth. In general keep the gurgling creek to your right and climb steeply. Evenually the various traces come together to ascend the first big rock slide. Follow the cairns. The way is steep, gnarly, and occasionally overgrown with young trees and nasty sticker bushes.

Finally we arrived at a pleasant flat meadow at the base of the second rock slide. The trail is easier to find and navigate here because it goes up the right hand side through the trees. At the top is little Stone Lake which already has a veneer of ice. From here the trail contours easily around the west side of the lake and down to Eagle Lake. We did not get beyond Stone Lake because it was already getting late. It is 8.5 miles round trip to Eagle Lake from the trailhead with 1700 ft. elevation gain - most of that in the cruel mile up to Stone Lake.

At the Alpental parking lot, we started up the "trail" toward Guye Peak and Snoqualmie Mountain. Some recent bulldozing seems to have occured right at the road but the "trail" is visible at the top of the track. I am using the term "trail" quite loosely but all of the routes we followed today are on the new Green Trails map for this region. The lower section has the usual steep talus areas with plenty of pack grabbing slide alder encroaching over the trail. The one section that had been very loose with rock fall issues seems to have stabilized since I was last here. After about 1100' of gain, there was a "trail" junction where we headed towards Guye Peak. Some snow started just past this junction. After some more rocky "trail" there is a 4-way stop sign - at least that is how I refer to it. We first turned right towards Guye Peak and quickly reached a bench area with a great little tarn albeit frozen. From here the "trail" returned to steep but also slippery with snow. We ascended a couple hundred feet and I wimped out. I was starting to feel like a cat up a tree and there is only one way to get this cat out of a tree - it is not a pretty sight. So down we came - slowly, very slowly. Back at the 4-way stop, we continued to the north towards Cave Ridge. "Trails" and way paths go every where and anywhere. We lost the main trail more than a few times but eventually found our way to the "summit" of Cave Ridge where we relaxed to the point of almost napping and enjoying the great views of the Alpine Lakes peaks. There was quite a lot of groaning on my part coming down the knee jarring rocky "trail".