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awilsondc Member
Joined: 03 Apr 2016 Posts: 1324 | TRs | Pics
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I had a rare opportunity for a mid week backpacking trip shortly before Memorial Day. I had a trip planned (Skokomish and Stone in the Olympics) but as the day drew close it became clear that the weather was going to be poor. I went through a half dozen alternatives for the trip before checking permits for the enchantment area and turns out there was one permit left for Lake Stuart on the day I wanted. I reserved it, but in the end I decided to just scrap the overnighter in favor of a trip to Crater Lake with the family for the long weekend. I did however get in a phenomenal day trip up to Lake Stuart and Axis Peak. This is that trip:
I left the house at 4:30 and after hitting some unexpected early morning rush hour traffic, reached the Lake Stuart trailhead and was on the trail by 8:30. I made great time up the trail navigating over, under, and around several small downed trees and some snow 1/2 a mile before the lake. It took me an hour and 40 minutes to the lake where I spent 20 minutes relaxing and eating some food.
The foot bridge along the Lake Stuart trail Waterfall along the Lake Stuart trail Snow starting about a half mile from Lake Stuart First mountain views The meadow on the way to Lake Stuart Mountaineer ridge and Mount Stuart from Lake Stuart
From the lake I headed straight up the boulder field. I had read trip reports saying to avoid the gully shown on the topo so I stayed a good deal east. I picked a route up the boulder field which was quite enjoyable boulder hopping and scrambling. I just love boulder fields so that part was fun. Despite my joy I was laboring a bit and the going was slow. Around 6200-6400 feet the boulders became sparse and terrain turned more towards scree. At 6800 feet there was snow in large patches. It was enough that I put on spikes and pulled out the axe. I was glad I did. The snow was firm and didn't kick well, but I was able to make it up without any difficulty. After two long hours of slow going I reached the summit. WOW! I love summits that are lower elevation than other peaks in the area. When you get to the top there are still mountains rising above you making for some spectacular views. This one was no exception.
Axis Peak south face scramble route The view from half way up Axis Peak Looking at Stuart Axis Peak summit register Ladybugs! Enjoying some tea Summit Selfie
Several Peaks are visible from the summit:
North Face of Stuart Looking at Aasgard, Dragontail, and Colchuck Argonaut Hi-Jack Peak (Jack Ridge) Cashmere Dragontail and Colchuck Hi-Jack and Eightmile Axis Peak east ridge cliggs Aasgard Pass Summit of Axis Peak looking west toward Horseshoe Lake (snowy bowl upper left)
The panorama from the summit was truly spectacular!
Axis Peak summit panorama Looking north from Axis Peak
I spent an hour and 20 minutes on the summit having lunch and tea and taking in the views. There was a summit register on top with some familiar names in it, but not many overall signatures. The way down went much quicker. The top half of the mountain has a lot of scree so boot glissading in the dirt was plentiful which was a pleasure. After that it was more boulder hopping before the trail out which was nice and easy for tired feet and legs. 2 hours 40 minutes back for about 8 hours car to car. ~12 miles and 4200 ft elevation. I was the first summit register signature for 2016 and by the looks of it this peak doesn't see too much traffic which is a shame as it is a beauty! I guess the lack of a trail and the scramble (which is significant, probably not best for beginners) keeps people away despite being in a very well traveled area with Eightmile Lake and Lake Stuart near by. I was impressed and wouldn't mind going back.
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mtn.climber Member
Joined: 29 Jul 2008 Posts: 1204 | TRs | Pics Location: The Lost Horizon |
Great beta! I'm going up there on Sunday. Hope the weather is good.
Reach for the sky, cuz tomorrow may never come.
Live the life of love. Love the life you live.
Reach for the sky, cuz tomorrow may never come.
Live the life of love. Love the life you live.
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FiveNines Member
Joined: 01 Oct 2010 Posts: 528 | TRs | Pics
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Fun trip. Nice panos. I like the meadow on the way to Lake Stuart.
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Distel32 Member
Joined: 03 Jun 2014 Posts: 961 | TRs | Pics Location: Edmonds, WA |
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Distel32
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Fri May 27, 2016 9:04 pm
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Magellan Brutally Handsome
Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 13116 | TRs | Pics Location: Inexorable descent |
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Magellan
Brutally Handsome
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Fri May 27, 2016 9:16 pm
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zephyr aka friendly hiker
Joined: 21 Jun 2009 Posts: 3370 | TRs | Pics Location: West Seattle |
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zephyr
aka friendly hiker
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Fri May 27, 2016 9:37 pm
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Great report. Yes, it's a bit of work getting up there through all those boulders. Excellent choice for this time of year. Lovely views all around. As we ascended we were greeted by two Septugenarians on their way down! I was very impressed. ~z
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Nancyann Member
Joined: 28 Jul 2013 Posts: 2322 | TRs | Pics Location: Sultan Basin |
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Nancyann
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Fri May 27, 2016 10:29 pm
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Those panos are absolutely gorgeous!
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Gimpilator infinity/21M
Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Posts: 1684 | TRs | Pics Location: Edmonds, WA |
That's a fun one. Thanks for the memories and nice job on those photos! I've wondered recently if the couloir on Mountaineer Ridge still has snow in it. Looks like it does.
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OwenT Member
Joined: 24 May 2014 Posts: 277 | TRs | Pics Location: Moses Lake |
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OwenT
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Fri May 27, 2016 10:51 pm
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Nice pics .So I was last one on the register?
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HitTheTrail Member
Joined: 30 Oct 2007 Posts: 5462 | TRs | Pics Location: 509 |
Looks like your trip worked out ok!
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awilsondc Member
Joined: 03 Apr 2016 Posts: 1324 | TRs | Pics
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Thanks everyone!
OwenT wrote: | So I was last one on the register? |
Nah, there were a couple more entries from '15 after yours. I was surprised at how many names I recognized in the register!
zephyr wrote: | we were greeted by two Septugenarians on their way down! I was very impressed. |
That's impressive indeed! That's exactly what I aspire to be doing at that age!
Gimpilator wrote: | I've wondered recently if the couloir on Mountaineer Ridge still has snow in it. Looks like it does. |
I forgot to mention I saw an avalanche on Mountaineer Ridge on the way down. It was loud! I thought it was thunder at first and looked up at the sky, but then saw tons of dust and rock and snow tumbling down the steep slopes. I think a rather large chunk of rock broke free. It was pretty impressive to watch!
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Bootpathguy Member
Joined: 18 Jun 2015 Posts: 1791 | TRs | Pics Location: United States |
Great report! Great images! Thanks for sharing
Experience is what'cha get, when you get what'cha don't want
Experience is what'cha get, when you get what'cha don't want
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wildernessed viewbagger
Joined: 31 Oct 2004 Posts: 9275 | TRs | Pics Location: Wenatchee |
Nice pics !
Living in the Anthropocene
Living in the Anthropocene
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olderthanIusedtobe Member
Joined: 05 Sep 2011 Posts: 7722 | TRs | Pics Location: Shoreline |
Looks like a great outing! I made an unsuccessful, halfhearted attempted at Axis from Eightmile Lake several years ago.
Looks like a lot of melted out terrain in your summit shot looking towards Cashmere.
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tigermn Member
Joined: 10 Jul 2007 Posts: 9242 | TRs | Pics Location: There... |
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tigermn
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Sat May 28, 2016 4:14 pm
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That looks really cool..
I can see however why it may not get much traffic.
Two of my most hated things, the third would be traversing snow/ice fields... Scree fields and boulder hopping... Not high on my fun list. The boulder hopping mostly because my pace turns to molasses.
Scree, well I just hate scree... lol...
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