[Gimpilator]

Frances and I went to Dirtyface Peak yesterday. We did the longer route which traverses from the lookout point trail. We found the route to be generally unpleasant after leaving the trail. To make matters worse, the mosquitoes were just as dense as I have ever seen. As soon as we left the trail, we each had our own personal cloud of mosquitoes in excess of 100. We were happy to have strong Deet and head nets. Frances said this is the toughest hike she’s ever done, but mainly because of the mosquitoes. Dirtyface Peak – 6240’ The trail which goes to the view point is pleasant and well graded. There were numerous wild flowers. Frances stepped right over a rubber boa without noticing it. Only the second time I have seen this species. At 5500 feet we left the trail and dropped over the east shoulder. Minor snow patches in the basin, but not enough to ease the brush.

We went over a forested pass and then down a gully continuing the traverse to the northwest. The mosquitoes were most dense in these forested basins. Up 600 vertical feet out of the second basin to reach the saddle near Dirtyface Benchmark. We traversed under this peak on the south side at the same elevation of the saddle.

Maude, South Spectacle

main peak and benchmark peak

Dirtyface

Howard

benchmark peak

Continuing toward the main peak, we encountered some difficulty staying too high on the final ridge. On the return we were able to avoid it by traversing lower. The final scramble up the peak was steeper than expected and true to it’s name, dirty. I speculated that the peak was named for it’s own dirty faces.

up through this

ticks!

Frances

Poet's Ridge and David

Dirtyface Benchmark - 6223’ On the way back, Frances waited for me while I went up the benchmark summit. Later, back on the trail, we saw two more rubber boas. I was under the impression that this is a rare species to encounter, so seeing 3 on a single hike is a bit shocking.

main peak seen from benchmark

trail summit seen from benchmark

[Jake Robinson]

Nice we also had horrible mosquitoes a few days ago, but luckily they dissipated quickly with elevation.

[olderthanIusedtobe]

I still never have seen a rubber boa. I've heard they are very docile.

[Midnight Slogger]

Thanks for the report! Love the rubber boa shots. We did that route last December as a snow shoe--no mosquitoes but definitely not ideal!

[iron]

i think you're a bug magnet based on your reports. glad to be done with the dirty's out there. all snow trips... https://www.nwhikers.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=7967236

[Fletcher]

Adam, are you turning this nice young woman on to prominence?!

[Brushbuffalo]