[radninjaskills]

Please gimme some pic of 3 fingers. I'm trying to convince a friend to go with me this summer. 

[John]

It shouldn't take too much convincing. It's one of my most favorite hikes. Here's a panorama from Tin Pan Gap:



It's a long one. 14 miles roundtrip. And you should probably wait until late summer for the snow to melt. More pics and a report from last year at:

http://www.johnandkristie.com/archives/2004/08/three_fingers.html

John

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John Burton Brown
http://www.johnandkristie.com

[radninjaskills]

What's your experience with the last leg of the hike? I've heard everything from "bring an Ice axe and crampons" to "It's an easy walk"...

[polecatjoe]

Here's a shot of the final approach (not my photo, but pretty cool!)

My girlfriend, now Mrs. Polecat, refused to go up this part, as she's a bit scared of heights, so I scrambled up and back with only a short look around. The weather wasn't this nice so not great views when I was there.

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"If we didn't live venturously, plucking the wild goat by the beard, and trembling over precipices, we should never be depressed, I've no doubt; but already should be faded, fatalistic and aged."    - Virginia Woolf

[John]

I wasn't sure what to expect about the last part either. When I went, I think most of the snow had melted from the trail and what remained was pretty soft, so it wasn't too tough. But there were two permanent snow fields where a slip would have been a long slide into some rocks or off a cliff. No one was using an ice axe or crampons on the day I went, but people were using their trekking poles. I'm very glad I had mine.

Two other tough parts on that last leg from Tin Pan Gap include a steep gully of loose dirt and rocks, where you have to use a rope to get down (and back up on the way back). And just below the lookout, you'll be using your hands to climb up the rocks, and then there are the ladders - which aren't a big deal. Unless your friend is afraid of high places, then I guess it would be a very big deal.

I kept an eye on the WTA reports last summer. When people were reporting the way was safe to go, that's when I went!

John

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John Burton Brown
http://www.johnandkristie.com

[evergreenhiker]

That one is on my very short list....a friend did it in late August and said it was wasn't too bad.

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The alpine world is my church.

[radninjaskills]

On one hand I'm amazed and thrilled and want to go there more than anywhere else. On the other hand I am absolutely terrified of the place.

[dicey]

Show this one to your friend and see what he/she says

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I'm not always sure I like being older but being less stupid has advantages.

[Dogpatch]

Dicey--that's just too cool.

Radninja--check out firelookout.com for more pics.

[polarbear]

  Awesome shot...

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...and a window that looks out on Corcovado...  Corcovado Hill

[Snowshoe Hare]

That is an amazing photo. Having not been there yet do you climb to it from that side    or the other one?  I always hear about the ladders being the most difficult part for many- that top one pictured looks fun!

[naturealbeing]

First off, those photos of John’s trip to the lookout are the most creative and well-composed images that I have ever seen. You have captured the essence of the uniqueness of this place in you photos. Well done!

Please find in the following some information that I hope you find helpful.

As for my experiences of Three Fingers. I have done the hike/scramble 4 times. Two times as a day hike and two times as an over niter, two times w/others and two times as a solo, two times with my dog Crystal, 1997-2000 four years running. With a daypack and hiking fast with little breaks one can make it to the lookout in 3-1/2 hrs. With an over night pack and extra gear it will take about another hour to an hour and a half. My choice of time is in the latter part of September. This is when there is the least amount of snow and ice to deal with and still enough daylight to do it in a day. Plus this is just before the first snows of the season. When this happens it changes the dynamics of this hike and will make it more dangerous to do.
If you want the lookout to your self, a weekday trip is best. If you go on a weekend expect a continuous line up of people from the trailhead to the lookout. The beginning of the trail to Saddle Lake is rocky, rooty, and slippery all the time. This trail receives no maintenance that I’m aware of and can be tough for those not in good shapes or conditioned for this kind of travel. Once you get through this section and closer to Goat Flats it becomes open tarns w/great views. The trail here is much more easy going. Once past Goat Flats your next destination is Tin Can Gap. You will traverse open slopes and then switchback up to Tin Can Gap. This is where the fun begins. You will have a choice to make. Cross the glacier, which is very exposed and can be from 20 to 50 yards long (depends on the snow pack). Or the other option is to climb the moat. Both options have there plus’s and minus’s. I have done this section both ways and in both directions. My last time this way, I elected to cross the glacier and I used a trekking pole and my ice axe. I first tested the snow and found it to be firm. So off I went, as I got half way across, the snow was ice hard. At this point there is no turn around option, it was to steep and exposed and I was using my ice axe to anchor myself to the glacier. I didn’t have the option to use it to cut steps. I was fortunate that the steps were already in place but they were somewhat melted over and very slippery. What was going through my head at the time was falling down this glacier was not an option and staying focused to the task at hand. It would be wise to bring a pair of crampons, just to cross the glacier here. If you go behind the glacier in the moat you will have to do some climbing but not difficult.
Anyways soon after this section you will come to a steep gully that you will have to down climb. Not to tuff just go slow and be safe. Then more trail with some possible snow patches you may have to cross. Your final accent to the lookout will be on the steep snowfield on the south side of the lookout. This snowfield is year round and always there. Also your last chance for running water. After you reach the last bit of snow you will most likely have to do some rock scrambling up and to your left and around a ledge. This is just before the ladders. It is very important to pay attention here. If you slip here, it’s a long way down the glacier and you will be riding on some rocks before you hit the glacier.  Don’t threat. The ladders are just a dozen steps away and up you go. If you are carrying a large pack you may want to take it off and bring it up w/the use of a rope. There is a section between ladders that is a tight squeeze and if you are climbing and reach this spot unprepared and you are afraid of heights. This will test your will and abilities to hold it together. There is a thick rope here to assist you up this section. The rope is secured to a steel rod that is pinned into this rock slab near the top of the last ladder. At the top of the ladder you are only 25 feet away from the lookout door. Which happens to be located on the NW corner of the lookout with some pretty health exposure. If you get this far the pay off is priceless. The lookout is maintained by the Everett Mountaineers and it is full of interesting stuff. I’ll let you discover these things for yourself.  If you have any ?’s just PM me and I’ll try and be of help.

[mvs]

[dicey]

[naturealbeing]

Heres another aerial shot by John Scurlock.
He's got some of the best aerial images I've ever seen.
I know someone posted his site here before but I couldn't find it. So I thought I would bring it up again seeing how he has added 3 more areas to his photo albums.
Pasayten Wilderness
Central & North Central Cascades
Chelan/Sawtooth Mtn's.

Heres the link to his main page: http://www.pbase.com/nolock