[naturealbeing]

Left the Lake Stuart TH @ 9 am. w/Ian, Doogie, and Crystal. The trail was snow free up till the Colchuck Lk. spur. From this point till the lake there were just patches of hard packed snow, mostly easy to travel on w/ a few occasional break throughs. At the N pt. of the lake we took in the beauty that enveloped us and had a snack break. Afterwards it was time to march up Mt. Axis/Pt. 7,550. We worked our way up through brush, trees, rocks, and open slopes, till we reached partial snow around 6,700 ft. The snow at this elevation was S facing, soft, and easy to move through. At 7,392 ft, we reached the W summit and realized that we were to far W and had to drop a hundred feet to the E before we where able to scramble back up and reach the true summit at 7,550 ft. Let me tell you this is one of the best seats on the planet for a 360 degree view that includes the W section of the Stuart range, Jack Ridge, Grindstone Mtn., Eightmile Mtn., Cashmere Mtn., and all else in between. There was a new register placed on the summit on the 20th. of May 2004 by Fay Pullen. I can't believe it, almost a year later and no one has been up here. Probable a well kept secret. Shhhh! Don't tell anyone. Anyways after a nice relaxing break it was time to head back. On the way out we ran into 3 people on their way to Colchuck Lake. These where the only people we saw all day long. We reached the TH at 7:15 pm. For more information about this peak, check out Randy's report 6.14.03. Heres the link: https://www.nwhikers.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2380&highlight=axis

Stuart Pano

Grindstone to Cashmere Pano

Mt. Axis summit from the west peak.

Stuart Lake

Cashmere Mtn. & 8 Mile Lk

Colchuck Lk. from Mt. Axis summit

[wildernessed]

Damn I can't take it, it's too much ! How can you do this to people, do you enjoy it, I bet you do. Thanks ! wildernessed

[naturealbeing]

[wildernessed]

You know I enjoy it, and yes it is good. Thanks. wildernessed