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neek Member
Joined: 12 Sep 2011 Posts: 2338 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle, WA |
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neek
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Wed Jul 29, 2020 5:02 pm
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Don't underestimate this one! I wanted to camp on Elephant Butte, but had to settle for North Stetattle Ridge. That meant getting over to Elephant and then all the way back to the car on the second day. This trip warrants at least three days, which would provide time to explore Hippo and Rhino as well. Things were delayed by a casual start, and waiting over an hour to get a permit, which for some reason I felt compelled to do. They really could streamline the process; half the folks ahead of me left and presumably went rogue. When I said I was going to Elephant Butte, I just got a blank look. Stetattle Ridge? No idea. Sourdough? That rang bell. Next time I will just throw everything in the car and take care of packing, food prep, breakfast, route familiarization, and getting dressed during the wait.
I started hiking up the familiar Sourdough trail at 10:30. Thought about taking the shortcut but I never know where the best place to leave the trail is. So that added yet more delay. Had lunch at Sourdough camp and then continued up to the ridge. If you've never been to Stetattle ridge, note there's a bootpath the entire way, and as long as you can stick to it, you'll never encounter anything remotely difficult. You will, however, go up and over a number of high points, which you'll have to repeat on the way back. I only saw two people on the ridge, just up from Sourdough Camp for the day. The atmosphere was quite hazy, so zoom shots required considerable editing. I made it to point 6728 at 7:30pm and set up camp, realizing there was no way I'd make it to EB before dark. It was windy, but I was tired enough to get some sleep. Didn't bother to take any comet pics because it was very faint.
Lizard Many tarns dot the ridge Jack Hozomeen Looking along the ridge toward Luna Melty watermelon snow Azure Lake Lunaglow Davis Sunset
I was moving the next day by 6. Dropped some gear at 5800'; should have just left it at camp since you have to go back that way. I had heard the brush can be bad getting down to the 4950' saddle, but it really wasn't. In fact there's a trail for the last several hundred vertical feet if you can find it. Heading up the east side of Elephant I soon encountered the expected cliffy bits, but worked around them without too much difficulty. Crossed the shoulder and began the traverse across the south face to the west ridge. There's no reason to go above 6200' at any point until you start heading up to the ridge--in fact you'll encounter a few walls if you try. The west ridge is a super mellow walk. At the top I discovered someone had stayed there just two days ago. One person before that in August last year, then Jake. So, not a frequently visited peak--no surprise, since it took me 6 hours from camp.
Elephant Baker Luna Working around cliffs Time to start working around to the S Interesting formation EB summit Summit pano Southern Pickets Thornton and Triumph Fury (hi Fletcher!) Selfie Rock ptarmigan
Headed back the way I came after about an hour on top. Toward the SE end of Stetattle Ridge, I made a beeline for Sourdough Camp rather than head up Sourdough Mountain. It was getting dark and mosquitoes were fierce, but there was a trail most of the way and things went fast. Of course this was the night with the good sunset colors, which I was already too low to really capture.
Back on Stetattle Ridge I about had a heart attack when two glowing eyes suddenly appeared right in front of me, but it was just this super cute little fawn Western Toad
Got home at 4am after stopping for a few power naps on the drive home. I'm pretty beat today!
Now I Fly
Now I Fly
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raising3hikers Member
Joined: 21 Sep 2007 Posts: 2344 | TRs | Pics Location: Edmonds, Wa |
Nice work, neek!
Looks like a good time to go and great pics. I still have to make my way there one of these days
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silence Member
Joined: 25 Apr 2005 Posts: 4420 | TRs | Pics
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silence
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Thu Jul 30, 2020 7:10 am
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Wanderlust ... another place I've always wanted to explore. Great pix!
PHOTOS
FILMS
Keep a good head and always carry a light bulb. – Bob Dylan
PHOTOS
FILMS
Keep a good head and always carry a light bulb. – Bob Dylan
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ozzy The hard way
Joined: 30 Jul 2015 Posts: 476 | TRs | Pics Location: University place, wa |
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ozzy
The hard way
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Thu Jul 30, 2020 4:59 pm
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Oh woweeee!!! Damn some stellar pics and slog from the sounds of it! I've been interested in this one since Jake's trip report. Now you've made the feeling worse lol! What were the total stats for the roundtrip if you don't mind!?
“I don’t know what’s gonna happen, but I wanna have my kicks before the whole shithouse goes up in flames”-Mr Mojo Risin
“I don’t know what’s gonna happen, but I wanna have my kicks before the whole shithouse goes up in flames”-Mr Mojo Risin
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neek Member
Joined: 12 Sep 2011 Posts: 2338 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle, WA |
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neek
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Thu Jul 30, 2020 6:20 pm
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ozzy wrote: | Oh woweeee!!! Damn some stellar pics and slog from the sounds of it! I've been interested in this one since Jake's trip report. Now you've made the feeling worse lol! What were the total stats for the roundtrip if you don't mind!? |
thanks, yeah it's a pretty area. strava sez just shy of 11 leagues distance and 4km gain, but probably slightly less. still can barely stand up haha
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awilsondc Member
Joined: 03 Apr 2016 Posts: 1324 | TRs | Pics
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RichP Member
Joined: 13 Jul 2006 Posts: 5634 | TRs | Pics Location: here |
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RichP
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Thu Jul 30, 2020 8:05 pm
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You are getting in some good trips this summer and your pics are fantastic.
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neek Member
Joined: 12 Sep 2011 Posts: 2338 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle, WA |
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neek
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Thu Jul 30, 2020 8:57 pm
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awilsondc wrote: | Despite seeing this nearly identical quote on just about every Elephant Butte trip report I can think of, I too shall likely try this as an overnight trip and get my ass handed to me as well. |
man, you could get an amazing sunrise shot up there if the conditions were right. no pressure. 7am start probably would have been fine. not that there's anything wrong with night hiking, but you really wouldn't want to be caught in the cliffy/brushy part in the dark. no reason to rush of course but if you're like me it's hard to find 3+ days of free time.
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runup Member
Joined: 05 Feb 2016 Posts: 188 | TRs | Pics
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runup
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Thu Jul 30, 2020 10:48 pm
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Nicely done, neek, both trip and report.
neek wrote: | Next time I will just throw everything in the car and take care of packing, food prep, breakfast, route familiarization, and getting dressed during the wait. |
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Stefan Member
Joined: 17 Dec 2001 Posts: 5093 | TRs | Pics
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Stefan
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Fri Jul 31, 2020 11:01 am
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okay. That is a long day!!!!
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Gimpilator infinity/21M
Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Posts: 1684 | TRs | Pics Location: Edmonds, WA |
Great photos! 2 days is a grind. I'm also glad to hear constructive criticism, where it is due. Definitely one of the best WA hikes to be had. Truly fantastic sights up there.
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cascadetraverser Member
Joined: 16 Sep 2007 Posts: 1407 | TRs | Pics
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2 days is impressive; we took 5 and visited Azure Lake and that wasn`t easy. Really, really great area. Well done!
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Alden Ryno Member
Joined: 04 Jun 2019 Posts: 150 | TRs | Pics Location: Issaquah, WA |
I came to commend your photographs, however, it seems like everyone else had the same idea! Stunning.
That view of the Southern Pickets is otherworldly!
And a question... Is there a different between a "regular" Ptarmigan and a Rock Ptarmigan?
What I believe have been Ptarmigan that I've seen have less brown/rock tones, is that the difference?
Thanks in advance for any insight, y'all
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contour5 Member
Joined: 16 Jul 2003 Posts: 2963 | TRs | Pics
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contour5
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Mon Aug 03, 2020 8:07 pm
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Really nice pictures! EB was one of my favorite fails...Your summit pano makes me want to go try again...
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