[raising3hikers]

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

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

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

McGregor and Dome

Golden Horn and Tower

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

Switchblade

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

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

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

[awilsondc]

[Brushbuffalo]

[John_B]

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.

[Jake Robinson]

Nice looking trip Eric, thanks

[Stefan]

[Get Out and Go]

Love that area....And Switchblade has a nice profile from the east, too, as I remember.

Switchblade

[ozzy]

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!

[cascadetraverser]

Very cool place...Nice TR; glad you got the sunny trip streak going now!