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seekapeak Member
Joined: 25 Jun 2014 Posts: 264 | TRs | Pics
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We had snowshoed South Mountain with "Meck" two weeks ago but we were robbed of our views by the weather. We just had to get back up there on a sunny day to see what we had missed, so today was the day!
South Mountain sits on Green Diamond land just past Dayton, WA (Near Matlock, WA). It is open to hikers. The forest road to the gate was snow/ice free and in good condition today.
We got up bright and early and happily drove towards the South Mountain closed gate.
We were suddenly stopped 2 miles prior to our destination by a closed gate that on our previous trip had been open. Maybe the wind blew it closed??? But noooooo...it was locked up tight (later we found out this gate closes after January 1st). What do you do - get out and walk the extra two miles each way. So after Woody stopped and howled at the moon in dismay we hoofed on down the road and watched the sunrise. As we were walking down the road we came across a truck unloading a dozen Coon Dogs. With the dog handler was a government vehicle so we stopped and chatted for a moment. They were on the hunt for Cougars in the area to put tracking collars on them. The dogs must have caught a scent because off they ran baying at the top of their lungs.
We continued on our road walk and reached the proper closed South Mountain gate. This entire hike is a road walk and we encountered a mix of gravel, ice and snow. We brought snowshoes but they never went on our feet. We often wonder how many times we have drug snowshoes up and down the mountain without using them...
We reached the summit (tower area) under beautiful blue skies and were rewarded with the views we had missed last time.
This a great destination that is only about an hour from Olympia. Today with having to deal with the extra closed gate our mileage was 12.4 miles and our gain was 2800 feet. Top elevation of South Mountain is 3040'. If you are looking for an avalanche safe, non-technical hike or snowshoe with some pretty darn good views we think this is a winner.
Woody starting our hike howling at the moon! Sunrise..... early start Mount Rainier as the sun is rising Mount Adams Mount Rainier Mount St. Helens South Mountain summit (tower) Time to head home... On our walk out..
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meck Member
Joined: 31 Dec 2010 Posts: 920 | TRs | Pics
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meck
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Sat Jan 14, 2017 7:25 pm
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Perfect views, the whole southern Olys!! Thank you for posting those pics (now I know what I missed), boy that's a lot of snow out there!
*Just say NO to Rent-Seeking, don't give up the concept of "ownership"*
*Just say NO to Rent-Seeking, don't give up the concept of "ownership"*
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bobbi stillaGUAMish
Joined: 13 Jul 2006 Posts: 8012 | TRs | Pics Location: olympics! |
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bobbi
stillaGUAMish
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Sat Jan 14, 2017 8:20 pm
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awesome ... great blue bird day!
happy new year to you two!
bobbi ૐ
"Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So…get on your way!" - Oh, the Places You’ll Go! By Dr. Seuss
bobbi ૐ
"Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So…get on your way!" - Oh, the Places You’ll Go! By Dr. Seuss
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seekapeak Member
Joined: 25 Jun 2014 Posts: 264 | TRs | Pics
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Happy New Year to you too bobbi!!
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Brushbuffalo Member
Joined: 17 Sep 2015 Posts: 1887 | TRs | Pics Location: there earlier, here now, somewhere later... Bellingham in between |
seekapeak wrote: | We were suddenly stopped 2 miles prior to our destination by a closed gate that on our previous trip had been open. Maybe the wind blew it closed??? But noooooo...it was locked up tight (later we found out this gate closes after January 1st). |
Sorry that gate was closed for you. As recently as last week (January 5th) I drove right through on the 800 road to the closed gate at the base of the road to the top of South Mountain. The gate that you found to be locked was wide open.
Look at the bright side.....you got more exercise on a perfect winter day!
Interesting about the cougars.....I know that they are always out there, and have seen their tracks loads of times, but in all of my trips over the years I have only seen two.....probably 1/100th of the times they have seen me!
Passing rocks and trees like they were standing still
Passing rocks and trees like they were standing still
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seekapeak Member
Joined: 25 Jun 2014 Posts: 264 | TRs | Pics
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Brushbuffalo wrote: | Sorry that gate was closed for you. As recently as last week (January 5th) I drove right through on the 800 road to the normally closed gate at the base of the road to the top of South Mountain. |
Thanks Brushbuffalo! Do you know the schedule of when that gate closes and re-opens? We talked to the Coon Dog handler and he said they normally lock it after the first of January but sounds like it was still open for you on the 5th. Might give Green Diamond a call and see what the timing is.
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Brushbuffalo Member
Joined: 17 Sep 2015 Posts: 1887 | TRs | Pics Location: there earlier, here now, somewhere later... Bellingham in between |
Sorry I can't help with your question about the gate and when it us opened or closed. South Mountain is quite a distance from my usual stomping grounds around Bellingham.
I was just a visitor in the area on Jan. 5th. I suppose I lucked out in finding an open gate on the main 800 road.
Passing rocks and trees like they were standing still
Passing rocks and trees like they were standing still
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