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Tom Admin
Joined: 15 Dec 2001 Posts: 17835 | TRs | Pics
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Tom
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Fri Sep 13, 2019 1:04 am
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Was looking to stretch the legs thanks to a short window of good weather. Original thought was to head up the Illabot and explore Falls Lake but the forecast to the north indicated a chance of rain in the morning. Snoqualmie area forecast was mostly sunny - Joe Lake it would be. Tried to get an earlier than normal start as I knew it would be a long day. Biked up Barbie's Boyfriend's road, reached the lower lake by 9:45, PCT by 10:30, Katwalk by 11:30, Ridge and Gravel a little after noon, and the first views down to Joe an hour later.
Arriving at Lower Ken Traversing left around Lower Ken Middle Ken Descending to PCT Chair, Roosevelt, Snoqualmie and Lundin Rainier and I-90 Snoqualmie, Lundin and Red Katwalk Looking back to Katwalk Wispy clouds Arriving at Ridge Lake Gravel Lake Leaving Ridge Lake Traversing above Alaska Lake Pineapple Pass Down to Alaska Peek-a-boo view down to Edds Lake Neek's Valley Thompson to Big Snow First views of Joe Descending PCT above Joe
15+ years ago Edd and I had dropped down for a quick visit to Joe from the PCT saddle directly west of the lake. I figured I'd head down again that way and explore other options on the way back. On the way down I angled too far left and ended up swimming in brush near the bottom (should have traversed right toward the talus) but at least I popped out where I could still launch the raft. Had a quick snack, inflated the raft, and cast off around 2 PM. After floating for a short bit I noticed a bird with impressively large wingspan circle above then swoop down to the lake. I pulled out my telephoto and snapped a bunch of pictures, hoping a few would turn out. It was tricky hand holding a 600mm zoom with the boat rocking and circling while trying to photograph. After getting my fill of shots I continued over to the partial island and side tarn for a few pictures before continuing to the outlet and disembarking for lunch around 3 PM.
Brushy exit Successful lakebag, lakebag is successful Chikamin and 4 Brothers from Joe Looking back to brush fest from raft Great Blue Heron Rafting Joe Huckleberry from raft Side tarn and Huckleberry Thompson 4 Brothers Thompson from east end of Joe Thompon from Joe outlet
It looked as if the most straight forward route up would be to follow the gentle westerly ridge up from Little Joe. Brush wasn't bad at all, mostly huckleberry, although the ridge was steeper in spots than implied by the topo. At ~5100' after passing a small tarn I opted to head towards a grassy talus field to catch the other rib up Alaska Mountain. I initially regretted the decision as it led to some excessively high angle veggie belay to get up onto the rib but once on it was easy wide open walking to the obvious switchback on the PCT, which I reached around 4:15 PM. I headed back for one last view of Joe Lake before the long slog back, making it to the car just before dark.
Little Joe and Huckleberry Colorful mushroom Talus to steep veggie belay Looking up rib Fall color on rib 3 Queens from rib Looking back to Joe, Huckleberry and Chikamin 3 Queens to Alta Alta and Ramparts Gravel Lake Humpty dumpty rock Stone kingdom from Katwalk Rainier, Snoqualmie Pass and I-90 Lower Ken
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rbuzby Attention Surplus
Joined: 24 Feb 2009 Posts: 1006 | TRs | Pics
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rbuzby
Attention Surplus
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Fri Sep 13, 2019 6:37 am
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Nice pics.
When I think of Joe Lake I think of mayonaise jars and big wads of fishing line.
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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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Fri Sep 13, 2019 6:49 am
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Cool ... long day
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Bushwacker Comfortable
Joined: 28 Jun 2002 Posts: 834 | TRs | Pics Location: Chaweng Beach, Koh Samui, Thailand |
Outstanding!
Thanks for sharing.
"Wait by the river long enough and the bodies of your enemies will float by"...Sun Tsu
"Wait by the river long enough and the bodies of your enemies will float by"...Sun Tsu
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Backpacker Joe Blind Hiker
Joined: 16 Dec 2001 Posts: 23956 | TRs | Pics Location: Cle Elum |
Really nice work there Thomas. Funny you should mention Falls lakes. I had a guy PM me about Falls lakes a couple days ago.
"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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kitya Fortune Cookie
Joined: 15 Mar 2010 Posts: 842 | TRs | Pics Location: Duvall, WA |
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kitya
Fortune Cookie
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Fri Sep 13, 2019 10:23 am
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Colorful mushroom is COW Tasty!
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Slim This space for rent
Joined: 31 Aug 2004 Posts: 560 | TRs | Pics Location: Falling off a turnip truck |
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Slim
This space for rent
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Fri Sep 13, 2019 10:23 am
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Way to get after it ! Nice pics.
"Lean mean money-making-machines serving fiends"
"Lean mean money-making-machines serving fiends"
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Tom Admin
Joined: 15 Dec 2001 Posts: 17835 | TRs | Pics
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Tom
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Fri Sep 13, 2019 10:31 am
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Thanks, all are cell phone snaps except the heron shots.
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Hutch Member
Joined: 18 Jun 2009 Posts: 638 | TRs | Pics
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Hutch
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Fri Sep 13, 2019 10:44 am
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Did not realize until right now that Great Blue Herons hang out in alpine lakes. Always associated them with the lowlands.
Great pics.
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GaliWalker Have camera will use
Joined: 10 Dec 2007 Posts: 4916 | TRs | Pics Location: Pittsburgh |
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GaliWalker
Have camera will use
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Fri Sep 13, 2019 4:24 pm
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Tom Admin
Joined: 15 Dec 2001 Posts: 17835 | TRs | Pics
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Tom
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Fri Sep 13, 2019 5:35 pm
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I've never seen one in the mountains either but was thinking Gold Creek valley might be low enough to provide habitat. In fact after doing a search on the trip reports forum for the keyword heron I found two reports indicating blue heron sightings in the Gold Creek area, one even in winter.
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Type E Member
Joined: 19 Aug 2006 Posts: 1381 | TRs | Pics
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Type E
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Fri Sep 13, 2019 6:21 pm
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I have two that live on my lake , fun to watch them hunt provided you have plenty of time
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Nancyann Member
Joined: 28 Jul 2013 Posts: 2314 | TRs | Pics Location: Sultan Basin |
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Nancyann
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Fri Sep 13, 2019 9:27 pm
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Nice trip report and pictures, Tom! That sure is a long way to get to Joe Lake. Back in the early ‘70’s my PCT hiking pal and I went up to Joe Lake from the Gold Creek Valley. We scrambled up a steep part that was marked with huge fluorescent orange arrows someone had spray painted on the boulders. When we finally arrived at the lake, we were shocked at the amount of garbage people had left at such a pretty lake. I hope you found it in much better condition!
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Brushwork Food truck
Joined: 18 Aug 2018 Posts: 508 | TRs | Pics Location: Washington |
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Brushwork
Food truck
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Fri Sep 13, 2019 10:18 pm
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Really nice pictures. I would have camped overnight for that effort!
Yea, just being able to hang out in the raft for a bit... when I was there we came up from the valley.... kinda fun and kinda a lot of work. Think your way is easier. Never heard of Barbies..,, whatever the heck that was. Too funny!
Thank you for the pictures!!! (Especially since I don’t seem to be getting myself out ..,,,,!
When I grow up I wanna play.
When I grow up I wanna play.
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Tom Admin
Joined: 15 Dec 2001 Posts: 17835 | TRs | Pics
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Tom
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Sat Sep 14, 2019 1:45 am
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Would have been nice to stay the night but I'm a fair weather camper. I was surprised at the steady stream of thru hikers heading north given the forecast but they must be on a mission to finish rain or shine. By the time I got home thunder shook the house and the skies opened up.
Nancy, I didn't see any garbage. Large fire pits though, so guessing it still gets a fair amount of visitation.
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