[RichP]

This has been a springtime of canyon and desert hikes for me, I guess. I've been fascinated with Cleman Mtn ever since seeing it on a map some years ago and have made a few trips to the area. After hiking nearby Waterworks Canyon a couple of weeks ago, I returned for Sanford Canyon which is the about 1.5 miles west. I found a pullout on 410 1/2 of a mile east of Mud Lake Rd and began a steep hike upslope on game trails until I could see the mouth of the canyon. Mud Lake Rd is closed to access and is private property on this end so I kept well away from it and dropped down into Sanford to begin the hike. There is no trail like in Waterworks but occasional tread does appear from time to time. The hiking is pretty easy anyway but there are some rocky and brushy sections to navigate.

A house sized rock.

Sanford Canyon.

Sanford Canyon.

Some brush in Sanford Canyon.

A narrow section.

One of several nice, grassy areas in the canyon.

Sanford Pasture, an ancient landslide.

Upper canyon to ridge.

The top.

My plan was to hike down the west rim of the canyon on the ridge and make a loop but when I got to the top of the canyon I decided to walk the road toward Cleman and drop down to Sanford Pasture instead. Sanford Pasture is the site of an enormous ancient landslide. https://washingtonlandscape.blogspot.com/2014/04/church-mountain-and-sanford-pasture.html After reaching the summit, I hiked down to Sanford Pasture and the road which I took to Mud Lake. I saw 100's of elk while in this area. Mud Lake Rd is closed to access just east of Mud lake so I took a short, steep trail down to the highway and jogged the 1.9 on the sometimes narrow shoulder back to my car to close a loop of 15 miles with 4300' gain.

It's still about 3 miles to the summit of Cleman Mtn from here.

The ridge is not as flat as it looks from below.

Cleman Mtn summit, 5115.'

Dropping down to Sanford Pasture.

I saw 100's of elk while crossing Sanford Pasture.

Lower part of Sanford Pasture.

Mud Lake.

The rules.

Basalt along the roadside.

Walking back to my car on the highway.

Approximate route.

[Naches Hiker]

Good for you for avoiding the private land. Was that your white subaru?

[RichP]

[Brushbuffalo]

Another fine hike and TR, Rich. When I saw that you were again on Cleman Mountain this time by way of Sanford Canyon, I wanted to point out to readers who are geologically inclined an important feature, but you already pointed out the main item of such interest in your account:p

[MtnGoat]

Nice early season hike, you put some miles in! I've been wondering about Cleman Mtn for a couple years, I see in your pics there's evidence of tree branches along the ridge line 'flagging' (favoring downwind side of tree) and that means a nice place to throw my toy gliders off into the wind.

[RichP]

[puzzlr]

Did you end up going alone? This looks like a fun day out for the season with lots of open terrain hiking. The landslide information is really interesting.

[RichP]

[Joey]

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[RichP]

Thanks Joey.

[MtnGoat]

Oh yeah that ridge line is calling me. Look at that nice smooth slope, good vertical relief facing prevailing winds, and endless landing zones. Had to tease me with the map. Ok, it's on my list now for sure. We do Bethel sometimes, Timberwolf mostly which is fantastic, but it's like a carrier landing on a postage stamp on top.

[zephyr]

[RichP]

[PaleoCook]

I love the attention to detail RickP and zephyr . Also, these are wonderful trip reports. Thanks RichP! I enjoy reading all of them and keep wondering when I'll start veering away from the snow a bit...