Rachel Lake, Hibox Mountain — Friday, Jun. 30, 2006

Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass

Started out at 7:15 at the Rachel Lake Trailhead on the way to Hibox. The morning was cool, sunny and perfect. Only a very few bugs on the trail today. Quickly went the two or so miles to the second clearing, but had considerable difficulty finding the climbers path to the north side of the main trail. The climbers trail itself isn't very clear until you are about 100 feet away from the main trail, hence the difficulty. For those looking in the future, the climbers trail is no more than 50 meters from the end of the large second clearing on the main trail. The beginning of the climbers trail begins in a large, open area on the right which obscures the starting point. I would have marked this for future walkers, but I had nothing suitable for that. Once that was sorted out the going was straightforward. The trail goes up the forest steeply, and is followed easily (though it pays to watch carefully) to about 5400' where the way becomes more vague and steps appear to go off in different directions. Just keep going up with the goal of ending up to the east of the summit block and it works outs well. Some loose rock below the ridge, take care for those (if any) below. Easy scrambling yields the summit with superb 360 views of all the surrounding peaks. Ice axe was carried but not needed on the trip as only small patches of snow remain (oddly, there was more on the Rachel Lake trail than on the way up to hibox) Treking poles were more useful going down the steep somes times loose path. Didn't see anyone all day once I stepped off the Rachel Lake trail. Overall an excellent scramble, with great views and surprising solitude considering the perfect weather and holiday weekend.