[Jake Robinson]

Fletcher and I had grand plans of summiting Dark and Sinister peaks in one trip these past four days. The original plan was to climb both in a long loop from the Suiattle River trailhead. We didn't end up summiting either peak, but we still had a great 3 day outing in one of the more remote regions of the Cascades. We started hiking from the Suiattle River TH just after 7am on Monday. In a few hours we intersected the PCT and made our way towards Suiattle Pass.

Cruisin' the Suiattle

Short break just south of Suiattle Pass. One of the most beautiful old growth forests I've visited.

The plan was to camp somewhere just off the PCT in the basin directly south of Bannock Lakes, stash some unneeded gear, and go for Dark early the next morning. After 11 hours and approximately 25 miles, we found a suitable campsite in the middle of a meadow. At this point we realized that we had grossly underpacked on food. We had an ambitious itinerary planned and the meager amount of food that we had simply wasn't going to cut it. Dark was out. Although it was disappointing to bail on Dark, it was definitely the right call. Even if we had ample rations, our original plan was probably still a little bit overzealous. After watching the sunset over Bonanza, we promptly passed out.

Basin on the PCT north of Suiattle Pass

So many miles today...Are we there yet?

Nearing camp

This will have to do

South from camp

After a leisurely 9AM start, we made our way to the 6600' pass southeast of upper Bannock Lakes. What beautiful place! Dome and Sinister peaks provide a spectacular backdrop to this remote area.

Fletcher en route to Bannock Lakes

Almost to Bannock

Bannock, Upper Bannock Lakes, Dome, and Sinister

Bonanza

Saddle Bow

Just as we were about to drop to upper Bannock Lakes, a forest service ranger showed up. It was pretty startling to me - the last thing I expected to see here was another person! We talked for a while and then parted ways. After dropping a few hundred feet towards the upper lakes we decided to take a quick detour to the summit of Saddle Bow Mountain. We dropped most of our gear and climbed boulders and heather to a notch just north of Saddle Bow's summit. From here, class 2/3 terrain up talus brought us to the top. The views were spectacular.

Fletcher starts up to Saddle Bow

The notch we climbed to in Saddle Bow's summit ridge

Glacier and upper Bannock Lakes

Fletcher climbs boulders to the summit

Dome, Sinister, Gunsight, Agnes

Fletcher on the summit of Saddle Bow with Bonanza

Glacier is beautiful from any angle

Bannock's impressive NE face with upper Bannock Lakes

Eldorado, Forbidden, Sahale, Boston, Agnes

Fletcher and Bannock

We descended from Saddle Bow and made our way to the lower Bannock Lakes. The beauty and solitude of this place is astounding. Fletcher and I both agreed that this was one of the most remote places we'd ever been.

Saddle Bow

Descending from Saddle Bow

Upper Bannock Lakes, Dome, Sinister

Gorgeous

Fletcher and lower Bannock Lakes

Lower Bannock, Dome, Sinister

Lower Bannock and some icebergs that probably cleaved off of Bannock Mountain's northeast face

The route from lower Bannock Lakes to the Hanging Gardens was completely uncertain to us but we decided to give it a shot. It wasn't so bad, and after two hours of so of semi-difficult traversing over talus and heather, we arrived at Ross Pass.

Typical terrain between Bannock Lakes and Ross Pass

Dome and Sinister from the Hanging Gardens.

It was now clear that Sinister wasn't going to happen. Food was running low, and Sinister still looked to be a very strenuous full day from the Hanging Gardens. We swallowed our pride and decided cutting our trip short and hiking out the next day was the responsible call. At this point we figured we might as well head south for Canyon Lake and see how far we could get. After about 45 minutes of traversing, we found a great bivy site midway between Ross Pass and Totem Pass. It had running water and a perfect view of Dome and Sinister. Even though we still had an hour or two of daylight left, we decided to call it here and enjoy the sunset. The stars that night were the best I've seen all year.

Dome and Sinister from our gorgeous bivy site

Light fades over Dome and Sinister

Enjoying a cocktail at sunset from our luxurious bivy. Apologies for the gross feet.

Golden hour

We were hiking at 7AM the next day. We quickly made our way up and over Totem Pass via easy, slabby rock. From Totem, we dropped steeply almost 1000 feet towards Canyon Lake. Veggie belays were a necessity. Just before the lake, we encountered our first sign of humanity in many miles - flagging and a slight way trail.

Views from Totem Pass

Looking south from Totem Pass. Canyon Lake is out of view to the lower left. In the upper right is the Dakobed Range.

Glacier Peak capped with a nice lenticular from just below Totem Pass

Fletcher on a way trail to Canyon Lake

At the outlet of Canyon Lake we picked up the old Canyon Lake trail. This trail clearly hasn't been maintained for years but it was easy enough to follow. Along the way we found some some delicious blueberries. 6 miles, several ups and downs, and many blowdowns later, we arrived at Image Lake.

Glacier from the Canyon Lake trail

Fletcher on one of the rougher sections of the unmaintained Canyon Lake trail

Stonehenge Ridge from near Image Lake

At Image Lake, we took a much needed food break. After an hour we set off on the Miners Ridge trail, making a minor detour to visit the old lookout. Russ, the lookout's caretaker for the months of July and August, was kind enough to give us a tour and a brief history of the area. Thanks Russ!

Image Lake and Glacier

Fletcher and Image Lake

Views from Miners Ridge

Dakobed Range

Views east

Fletcher at the lookout

From the lookout, we slogged out the 16 miles to the car in about 5 hours. It wasn't so bad. We had beers stashed on the Suiattle trail which made the last few miles to the car go by much easier. Even though we didn't get our summits, I still thoroughly enjoyed this trip. As far as failed attempts go, I'd consider this one to be a great success.

Well, guess it's time to go

PCT/Image Lake junction

Canyon Creek Bridge

[geyer]

[KekistaniProphet]

Oh god your one of those people who sit on bridges and block the entire right of way Badass sh## though, Bannock Lakes are my goal for a 5 night quest in a few weeks.

[ree]

Wow, so gorgeous. How were the bugs? Excellent trip.

[Jake Robinson]

[raising3hikers]

That's quite the trip! Thanks for sharing

[Fletcher]

Can't imagine a worse totally debacle in trip planning. Had a great time regardless! Such cool country.

[Get Out and Go]

Nice......! I remember Iron's report from a few years ago. Now you remind me much I want to get up in there.

[RichP]

Awesome trip guys, even without the T/100's.

[Brushbuffalo]

Fantastic trip!

[olderthanIusedtobe]

That looks awesome!

[Kim Brown]