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raising3hikers Member
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Joined: 21 Sep 2007 Posts: 2344 | TRs | Pics Location: Edmonds, Wa |
I didn't really have a great plan as of last Friday, I didn't even know what I was going to climb as I drove towards highway 20 on Saturday morning. There's always ideas and backup plans but I've just been so tired and exhausted from work this summer I decided on something a little easy that could have been a daytrip but since I had the availability to overnight, I did.
The Bridge Creek TH was overflowing in the morning, so I parked along the highway a little after 9am. I hiked down the PCT, taking the creek crossing after a mile to head towards the Stiletto Pk trail. I went there last year after an early fall snow, so I didn't get to go as far as I had wanted. I made up my mind and went for Switchblade Pk, less than a mile past Stiletto. I knew I wanted dry rock for this peak since I've heard it's a loose scramble. Or else, I would have waited for the fall colors and larches. The trail is in great shape, just a couple down logs across that are easily bypassed. It was nice to reach the meadows as some perfectly placed rock cairns guide the way instead of everyone running through the meadows making more trails. There were a few good blueberry patches but seem much smaller this year, but still tasty.
![Hock Mtn](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/50265927752_320x240.jpg) Hock Mtn
I traversed my way around Stiletto and over towards Lake 6795. A boot path was found and lost several times but it was easy enough to get over there.
![Switchblade Pk over Lk 6795](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/50265927702_320x240.jpg) Switchblade Pk over Lk 6795 ![a couple goats hanging around](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/50265927597_320x240.jpg) a couple goats hanging around
I wasn't sure I'd be camping here, so I kept everything in my pack and rounded the lake to take the West Face gully to the top. Lots of loose rock but nothing extreme. I reached the summit to some great all around views and spotted a better way back down.
![SilverStar area](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/50265089723_320x240.jpg) SilverStar area ![McGregor and Dome](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/50265747971_320x240.jpg) McGregor and Dome ![Golden Horn and Tower](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/50265089613_320x240.jpg) Golden Horn and Tower ![looking down at the pretty lake 6795](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/50265927382_320x240.jpg) looking down at the pretty lake 6795
the way down was a little better and once I got down to the lake, I thought, why don't I head on over to Lincoln Butte. So I kept on going and found a trail that leads to a small lake at Lincoln's base. It didn't look very nice as it was shrinking due to the summer heat. I rounded it and headed up the shrubby slopes. This peak wasn't all that fun with the brush and shrubs but it was still scenic. I found a Fay Pullen register completely dry and signed in. It looks as if 1 party on average a year goes to this peak.
![Lincoln Butte](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/50265927237_320x240.jpg) Lincoln Butte ![Switchblade](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/50265089393_320x240.jpg) Switchblade ![Dagger Lake](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/50265927107_320x240.jpg) Dagger Lake
I decided that heading back over to Lake 6795 would be the best spot to camp. I headed back over there and talked to a couple other groups that were also set up there. Nice people and 1 of the parties climbed Switchblade just hours after I did, it's getting busy up there!
![Switchblade](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/50265747496_320x240.jpg) Switchblade
I wanted to swim in the lake but it was so cold, I washed off instead and got dinner ready. the lowering light made the lake very vibrant.
![larches and lake](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/50265926887_320x240.jpg) larches and lake ![baby and mama goat](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/50265846576_320x240.jpg) baby and mama goat
I went to bed early and woke up later than I'd like. I got my stuff ready in less than 10 minutes and was hiking by 645. The hike out was easy and I didn't see anyone til I reached the highway
18.25 miles
7400' elevation gain
2 days
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awilsondc Member
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Joined: 03 Apr 2016 Posts: 1324 | TRs | Pics
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raising3hikers wrote: | ![Switchblade](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/50265089393_320x240.jpg) Switchblade |
Oh yeah!!! That's my kind of mountain! I love that profile!!!
I know that feeling of being wiped out from work and not being able to decide what peak to climb. I can totally relate to that, a little too well actually. Thanks for bringing this one to my attention! Nice looking trip!
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Brushbuffalo Member
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Joined: 17 Sep 2015 Posts: 1887 | TRs | Pics Location: there earlier, here now, somewhere later... Bellingham in between |
raising3hikers wrote: | I've just been so tired and exhausted from work this summer |
Even the most energetic get tired working in heat!
Good work on this neglected fine peak, Eric!
I remember camping up high on Lincoln Peak, then going over to the former lookout site on Stiletto. Interesting theme..any thing that can stick a fellow! (Dagger, Stiletto, Switchblade). Must be either Beckey but more likely Roper.
EDIT: John Roper informed me that the legendary Dallas Kloke is responsible for the gangsta theme.
Passing rocks and trees like they were standing still
Passing rocks and trees like they were standing still
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John_B Member
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John_B
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![Post Post](templates/subSilver/images/icon_minipost.gif) Mon Aug 24, 2020 9:59 pm
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For what it's worth 6795 is known as Stiletto Lake. Cool pics, I've got a trip in mind for that area this fall.
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Jake Robinson Member
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Joined: 02 Aug 2016 Posts: 521 | TRs | Pics
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Nice looking trip Eric, thanks
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Stefan Member
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Stefan
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![Post Post](templates/subSilver/images/icon_minipost.gif) Tue Aug 25, 2020 9:49 am
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Get Out and Go Member
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Joined: 13 Nov 2004 Posts: 2130 | TRs | Pics Location: Leavenworth |
Love that area....And Switchblade has a nice profile from the east, too, as I remember.
![Switchblade](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/9659282022_320x240.jpg) Switchblade
"These are the places you will find me hiding'...These are the places I will always go."
(Down in the Valley by The Head and The Heart)
"Sometimes you're happy. Sometimes you cry.
Half of me is ocean. Half of me is sky."
(Thanks, Tom Petty)
"These are the places you will find me hiding'...These are the places I will always go."
(Down in the Valley by The Head and The Heart)
"Sometimes you're happy. Sometimes you cry.
Half of me is ocean. Half of me is sky."
(Thanks, Tom Petty)
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ozzy The hard way
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Joined: 30 Jul 2015 Posts: 476 | TRs | Pics Location: University place, wa |
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ozzy
The hard way
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![Post Post](templates/subSilver/images/icon_minipost.gif) Wed Aug 26, 2020 5:30 am
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Awesome area! We did Stiletto a few days after you last year and I was wondering what it looked like further down that ridge! I love how quick you get up to the alpine on that trail. Thanks for the insight, cheers!
“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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cascadetraverser Member
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Joined: 16 Sep 2007 Posts: 1407 | TRs | Pics
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Very cool place...Nice TR; glad you got the sunny trip streak going now!
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