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Downhill Member
Joined: 30 Jul 2018 Posts: 340 | TRs | Pics Location: Leavenworth |
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Downhill
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Thu Aug 01, 2019 6:30 pm
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7/23 - 7/24 French Ridge Trail (Icicle River Drainage)
I think this is a seldom-visited route, it shouldn't be. TBH it was my first time on this trail despite having spent decades in the local area. The trail rises continuously once you leave the Icicle trail, but always climbing at a moderate rate. At first, the trail is in lush timber, then ascending an oddly sick forest - not burned but considerable deadfall and dead-standing firs. Great pee-a-boo views east across the Icicle valley - toward the "Lady Lakes", Grindstone, Bullstooth and Big Chiwaukum, or south to Sixty-Six Hundred Ridge, Bootjack, the Cradle, Highchair....
At about 4,000 you break out on the ridge and now the views expand exponentially - especially to the west - Granite Mtn, Trico Mtn, upper French Creek valley, Snowall drainage, Meadow Creek valley... the tip of Mt Stuart peeking above 6600 ridge.
Approximately 7 miles after leaving the Icicle river you will find a faint path leading to the old site of the French Ridge Lookout situated just above the main trail. From this vantage point, including the views previously listed, we enjoyed vistas of Glacier Peak, Mt Baker, the region around Sloan Pk (Becky's "high, lopsided Matterhorn of the Cascades ) ).
The wildflowers were brilliant. The views were spectacular. Berries were tasty. Solitude complete (saw no one C2C). There's no water once you leave the Icicle - carry lots - but with no water, so why so many 'skeeters?
It was evident that some fine folks spent a lot of time clearing numerous blowdowns off the lower 1/3 of this trail in recent years. Thanks to all those who did this. Unfortunately, the sick trees keep falling and there are a number of new deadfalls in this area of the trail. The latter 1/3 of the trail gets a little overgrown with small brush - often Huckleberries (ripe!) so I was wishing I was wearing long pants vs shorts.
Overall, this trail offered a lot more than I'd ever expected - especially the uncommon perspectives on some familiar features of the region. I will definitely be going back!
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BigBrunyon Member
Joined: 19 Mar 2015 Posts: 1450 | TRs | Pics Location: the fitness gyms!! |
Did colman park yesterday. Ubered to the trailhead. It was about a 1/10 mile with very little gain to the grassy area by the lake. You are only allowed to camp here during daylight hours but that didn't stop a lot of people from setting up tents. Extremely crowded!! Most people not following good backcountry ethics!! Several beers. The cooking of meats made me nervous that it would attract bears! The fighter planes flew overhead several times. Must have been training.
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wolffie Member
Joined: 14 Jul 2008 Posts: 2693 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle |
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wolffie
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Wed Aug 07, 2019 4:42 pm
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Got up and walked all the way to the freezer for more ice cream and dog treats.
Some people have better things to do with their lives than walking the dog. Some don't.
Some people have better things to do with their lives than walking the dog. Some don't.
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Tom Admin
Joined: 15 Dec 2001 Posts: 17835 | TRs | Pics
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Tom
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Mon Aug 12, 2019 9:14 pm
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Headed up to Rampart Ridge last Monday to stretch the legs. Temps were in the high 80s and we were pretty out of shape for the first hike of the season so decided to call it a day at the far side of Lillian. Skeeters were out but the flies were more annoying. A few phone pics.
Testing out portrait blur mode on the Pixel 3 (less than perfect at simulating the bokeh) This one did better faking the bokeh but mis-focused
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Backpacker Joe Blind Hiker
Joined: 16 Dec 2001 Posts: 23956 | TRs | Pics Location: Cle Elum |
How was the brush on the road getting back there Tom?
"If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time or die by suicide."
— Abraham Lincoln
"If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time or die by suicide."
— Abraham Lincoln
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Tom Admin
Joined: 15 Dec 2001 Posts: 17835 | TRs | Pics
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Tom
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Tue Aug 13, 2019 3:56 am
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Not too bad. Wouldn't take a new vehicle though.
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iron Member
Joined: 10 Aug 2008 Posts: 6391 | TRs | Pics Location: southeast kootenays |
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iron
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Tue Aug 13, 2019 2:32 pm
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is that a DHM sighting?
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iron Member
Joined: 10 Aug 2008 Posts: 6391 | TRs | Pics Location: southeast kootenays |
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iron
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Tue Aug 13, 2019 2:33 pm
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baring - no snow
south baring - no snow
fog kept things soaking wet. suggest bringing rope for south baring. i climbed up and down past 5 rap anchors.
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H. Hound Member
Joined: 09 May 2003 Posts: 1205 | TRs | Pics Location: Exit 32 |
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H. Hound
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Wed Aug 14, 2019 4:32 am
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Kelly Butte LO 8-13-19
The road wasn't that bad, just a lot of washboards. Was hoping for more huckleberries but must have missed the prime season. Still has some nice views and no crowds.
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marydave Musical Hikers
Joined: 11 Aug 2010 Posts: 182 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle |
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marydave
Musical Hikers
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Wed Aug 14, 2019 9:19 am
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Hiked up Dickerman on Monday 8/12. The huckleberries around the 4500' level are mighty fine right now. Two stepover logs, but otherwise the trail's in fine shape.
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neek Member
Joined: 12 Sep 2011 Posts: 2329 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle, WA |
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neek
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Sun Aug 18, 2019 5:13 am
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Good conditions on Eldorado
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Randy Cube Rat
Joined: 18 Dec 2001 Posts: 2910 | TRs | Pics Location: Near the Siamangs |
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Randy
Cube Rat
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Sun Aug 18, 2019 9:59 am
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Did the Carne Mountain and Leroy Creek high routes with my 8 yr old daughter. Camped in Box Creek basin one night and had it to ourselves. At upper Ice Lake the next with 5 other groups. Route is in good condition, but we probably did the final ascent to the saddle above upper Ice Lake wrong as it seemed more difficult than necessary. A few spots where the kid wore her helmet, but overall an established trail makes it all pretty straight forward.
Two parties had active fires going at upper Ice Lake and were orbiting our camp site looking for firewood - all this while the Devore Creek fire was burning a couple miles to the north. Come on, really?
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RichP Member
Joined: 13 Jul 2006 Posts: 5628 | TRs | Pics Location: here |
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RichP
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Mon Aug 19, 2019 8:47 am
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A 4-day WTA BCRT in the Salmo-Priest Wilderness. Nice country up there. We cleared over 100 trees and did other assorted work to about 2.25 miles from the junction with Crowell Ridge. The North Fork Sullivan Ck Trail is one of the routes on The PNT.
Sullivan Lake in The Selkirks. Horse Packer Bruce took our tools up and down the 7.25 miles to camp. Saddle detail. Bruce headed up. Junction of Red Bluff and North Fork Sullivan Trails. My first time here. A bad section with about 20 trees down. "The raft." Three trees were packed tight and provided a challenge. This Katana Boy saw cuts through with ease. Section cleared out. Headed back to camp after a day on the trail. North Fork Sullivan Ck Trail. Dissappearing tread. Tread widened. Hooknose, 7210.' A most impressive peak overshadowed by Abercrombie Mtn on the same ridge. Packing up at the wilderness boundry after the work party. Creek crossing on Red Bluff Trail. Red Bluff Trailhead.
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Michael Lewis Taking a nap
Joined: 27 Apr 2009 Posts: 629 | TRs | Pics Location: Lynnwood, WA (for now) |
DC. ladder at 13k
Ingraham Glacier Team Green Rope Ladder at 13K sunrise at 13K mandatory summit prop descending DC Muir sunset
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timberghost Member
Joined: 06 Dec 2011 Posts: 1316 | TRs | Pics
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Thanks for doing the work Rich
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