First off, this was intended to be a long day hike to summit Mt. Daniel with the other locations mentioned just encountered along the way. Alas, I had to turn back at around 7200 ft elevation gain (on the beginnings of the ridge of the Mt. Daniels Climber Trail) due to weather and time. So I turned back right before some of the more true technical sections the original WTA report goes over. Will describe conditions up to that point. Also keep in mind I'm wearing a light day pack with the times, and not full backpacking gear.
Forest road to Cathedral Trailhead was a little bumpy and gravely but great for that type of forest road. No real potholes and made it fine in a sedan.
Fall color was pretty good as got closer to Peggys Pond with good mixes of fiery reds and yellows.
GPS was essential for me as got above Peggys Pond. I used AllTrails and it kept me accurate and back on track when I diverged on the myriad of different paths.
The weather forecast I checked in the morning showed a light morning snow shower on Mt. Daniel with wind gusts 20-30 mph, and partly cloudy from noon and on. I rolled the dice a bit on this weather hoping the clouds I saw on the way would clear off more by the time I got up to the ridgeline of Mt. Daniel, or I’d at least ascend above the cloud layer, and it didn’t work out. I was in viewless clouds for most of the higher portions of the hike above Peggys Pond (don't the blue sky photos trick you).
Initial ascent to Nosh Nosh Wahtum lake was uneventful through standard monotonous forest on well graded switchbacks. Lotta horse poop had to dodge. Lake itself looked pleasant and clear. The wooden toilet nearby seemed reasonable in cleanliness.
From here to Cathedral Pass (first views of Cathedral Rock) fine as well. After a short descent there’s a sign that states “Hiker trail closed to pack and saddle stock” and is at a trail junction that leads down to Deep Lake below that had been viewing to the left. Head straight past this sign and the terrain gets more rocky and looser with some steep drop offs. It’s usually fine if take it slow. Some points I had to do a double take on my GPS that it was indeed the right path as it was not easy footing. Went up the “new” Peggys Pond trail the path diverged (GPS helped me choose here) once got back into forest off the steep rocky slopes. Peggys Pond itself was nice and had a lot of departing overnight campers going down while I was going up. Had a leisurely half hour lunch here hoping for more cloud burn off.
Without GPS I don’t think I would’ve chosen the right path that started the ascent up to Mt. Daniel. Ascending steeply through fir, was still socked in with clouds. Snow was still present up here, but it was light and didn’t seem to make the path any more icy (no need for microspikes as far as I got). I briefly went the wrong way on the “Circle Lake Trail” before doubling back after a GPS check. There are no real signs and looks like multiple paths at some points. Kept ascending hoping the clouds I was socked in would burn off as noon approached. Terrain is steep and can be loose scree at some points. Finally leveled out a bit and I started to do some more scrambling. A lone trail runner on his way back (had frost in his eyelashes) from the Mt. Daniel summit told me it was doable, but wasn’t any views and he had started earlier than me and clearly was faster. The scrambling done on the ridge at this point was ok, but you definitely should be comfortable with it. I was able to find paths through the “middle” of the ridge to avoid scrambling where there were really steep drop offs. Still exposed though.
At around 7200 ft. elevation, clouds finally parted to give me a brief view of Circle Lake and some surrounding terrain. However, they quickly came back to make it viewless once again. At this point, it was close to my turnaround time (I should’ve started the hike earlier) and with the prospect of no real views and gusty wind, decided to head back. I didn’t get to the point where I’d even see Venus Lake. Even as I descended, the sky cleared up a good bit, but the way back towards the summit seemed resolute in being socked in.
I think if I end up doing this again, would camp at Nosh Nosh Wahtum, and do an early start from there with a lighter pack if my ultimate goal was to summit Mt. Daniel. Could save on lugging full backpacking gear all the way to Peggys Pond and all the way back, avoiding the heavy lifting on some loose rocky terrain. If I were to try and one shot it again, definitely start earlier or a time of season with more daylight and better weather.
Start: 755 AM
Nosh Nosh Wahtum Lake: 910 AM
Peggys Pond: 1040 AM
7200 ft elev turnaround: 1240 PM
Peggy Pond (descent): 205 PM
End: 420 PM
Comments