This was my birthday hike, plus likely the last of my balsamroot hunting for the season.
Being a larger group, we all kind of thought someone else checked the map - but no one did - so we ended up doing some extra work due to taking the Kachess Ridge trail instead of the correct trail for a bit. The correct trail is unsigned (an looks a bit like a dispersed campsite through the trees) for mysterious reasons.
After that we got into a good groove all the way to the first overlook (miles overlook.)
Then the "fun" begins. Lots of very loose soil with not much rock or root to grip onto for the next little over a mile. About 1500' gain in this section, but no switchbacks at all. We quite disliked this part.
The first highpoint (para point) is a big disappointment, but then as soon as you go down a bit to the ridge, the view opens dramatically and continue most of the way to the top.
From the top we saw: Rainier, the tip of Adams, the Teanaway range, and Mt Daniel and Hinman. The peak is only at 5100 but has a good amount of prominence plus lack of trees to give an impressive panoramic experience.
No snow, and not many bugs. Lots of wind at the top. A killer workout to get ready for backpacking season.
Comments