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flatsqwerl Member
Joined: 23 Feb 2010 Posts: 1046 | TRs | Pics Location: tacoma |
This route was a new trip for me. I have done this peak in the summer from the West side road. Definitely worth a return trip. This was the Goat creek approach. 3 miles past Ashford, you take the dirt road on the left and park in about a mile in front of the huge washout. Hike 2 miles to the big shooting area and take the right fork heading east towards Goat creek. The snow coverage on the road was complete here...maybe a foot or so. In the morning it was hard enough for boots, but the occasional pop through prompted me to put on snowshoes. In 1.5 miles, the road crosses Goat creek. Here I left the road and followed the open areas right next to the creek heading upstream...very scenic with sun, shadows and shimmering creek pools. In a shy 1/4 mile from leaving the road I cross a small stream on the right side of Goat creek and head up the drainage, keeping to the left of the stream coming out of the drainage. Its a subtle drainage and small stream so you have to be on your toes. Now its just plain up. The route slowly gets defined more as a nice shoulder, then ridge ( easy to follow ). Starting about 3600ft, the snowshoes came off and my heavy clunky boots were perfect for step kicking all the way to softer more open terrain at 5300ft.( snowshoes on now ) At 5700ft you reach a nice knob to see the summit ahead. Not too steep. On the the south summit I could see the skinny ridge leading to the other summit( 5921). With the snow on it I decided to stay at this point. I wandered a bit to get a better view of the cornices and surrounding area. I saw some nice cat tracks on the road and the usual elk/deer tracks as well.
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Brushbuffalo Member
Joined: 17 Sep 2015 Posts: 1887 | TRs | Pics Location: there earlier, here now, somewhere later... Bellingham in between |
Mount Wow is the opposite in name to Mount Horrible ( in the Blue Mountains of S.E Washington).
Wow is always 'wow'on a day like you enjoyed, and its counterpart isn't really that horrible on a good day either.
Getting off topic, but if you seek Mount Horrible, why not visit Mt. Misery while in the Blues? Both are short hikes from roads.
Long drive from most of Washington but hopefully you'll have a not horrible time with no misery.
Passing rocks and trees like they were standing still
Passing rocks and trees like they were standing still
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babylero Member
Joined: 09 Oct 2020 Posts: 94 | TRs | Pics Location: Tacoma |
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babylero
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Mon Apr 12, 2021 4:32 pm
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Nice, I'm thinking of heading up there this weekend. How is the approach in terms of avy risk? I'm assuming you'd want crampons and an Ice axe.
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flatsqwerl Member
Joined: 23 Feb 2010 Posts: 1046 | TRs | Pics Location: tacoma |
The risk was minimized by staying in the trees except a small amount of open area on smaller slopes. I had my ax out once briefly. I used no crampons because I have monster heavy snow kicking boots. With softer, lighter boots, crampons could be very useful in the long steep shaded area going straight up through the woods.
If its really warm in the sun on the open upper slopes, there will be some avy risk...but those areas are short.
It was great weather when I did it but not very warm.
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babylero Member
Joined: 09 Oct 2020 Posts: 94 | TRs | Pics Location: Tacoma |
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babylero
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Mon Apr 12, 2021 6:41 pm
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Do you have a GPS track or map with your route? Your route seems different than a few other's I've seen I'm curious about the drainage you ascended
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Eric Peak Geek
Joined: 21 Oct 2002 Posts: 2062 | TRs | Pics Location: In Travel Status |
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Eric
Peak Geek
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Mon Apr 12, 2021 7:33 pm
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A number of GPS tracks of the Goat Creek route including Greg's can be found here:
Mt. Wow on PB
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flatsqwerl Member
Joined: 23 Feb 2010 Posts: 1046 | TRs | Pics Location: tacoma |
Babylero, I don't use GPS yet, just map and compass. I edited my post slightly so its hopefully clearer in regards to the small stream and drainage used shortly after leaving the road at the Goat creek crossing.
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Mike Collins Member
Joined: 18 Dec 2001 Posts: 3086 | TRs | Pics
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flatsqwerl Member
Joined: 23 Feb 2010 Posts: 1046 | TRs | Pics Location: tacoma |
Mike, that looks interesting. Might have to try that.
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babylero Member
Joined: 09 Oct 2020 Posts: 94 | TRs | Pics Location: Tacoma |
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babylero
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Thu Apr 15, 2021 6:46 pm
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I'm planning on checking it out, seems straight forward, only the start sounds like it requires some bushwhacking and creek avoidance.
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