Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Posts: 800 | TRs | Pics Location: The Quah
Tue Jun 03, 2008 8:16 pm Aix and Rains at 7766' (Video Now Added btm Pg 2) 05/31/08
At 7766' Mount Aix is the highest peak in the William O. Douglas Wilderness. Thus, it drew us in like moths to a flame. Not suprisingly, it was nominated as the goal for Saturday by the NWHikers who had arrived early to the American Ridge Campout.
Sometime during the planning stage the night before, it was determined that we would leave the lodge at the ungodly hour of 9:00AM to drive to the trailhead . Apparently everyone else doesn't need sleep the way we do so at 8:45 we were woken up to be informed that everyone was waiting on us . The group left at 9:15 consisting of GeoTom and Jasper, GeoDani, puzzler, cartman, dicey, Bryan, wamtngal, Just Todd, and the Schmidt Altitude team (Babe, Rowena, Kiefer, and Dude). We drove to the trailhead with only one small hitch, a 50 foot long section of 10" deep snow across the road in a shaded area. Our Explorer and Tom's truck made it just fine but we had reservations about puzzlr's Forester. He revved the engine and then blasted through with no problems much to our relief .
During the drive to the trailhead the following conversation took place in our vehicle:
Babe, "I think we forgot our rain gear back at the lodge."
Dude, "Well, I don't want to go back for it now."
Babe, "The weather stated a chance of showers."
Dude, "We'll be fine, look how well they predicted the weather last weekend."
At the trailhead, we geared up, stretched, and headed out. The 3600' trailhead was snow free and we headed up long switchbacks in the forest along side but never crossing Copper Creek. At about 5200' feet we started running into patches of snow that soon completely covered the trail. At about 5500' feet we had completely lost the trail. A review of the topo map determined that we should just head up as much as possible until we obtained Nelson Ridge. We slalomed our way up through the trees with each of us taking turns in the lead kicking steps into the surprisingly hard snow.
As we were dug in to the steep hillside at about 6500' the skies opened up on us. We stood there as the rain pelted down soaking us to our cores and discussed whether or not to turn back. We made a group decision to push on to the 7100' crest of Nelson Ridge and then determine from there. Soon after the slope became slightly less steep and then snow free as we approached the ridge crest.
At the ridge, even though the rain had let up, we added extra layers and donned rain gear while everyone made fun of Dude for wearing shorts. We were very glad puzzlr had an extra parka to lend Babe (a huge thank you kind sir, the drinks are on us next time we see you ). Since the clouds were so thick we couldn't see for miles and miles but there were good views of Bismark Peak, 7,585', to the SW and various 7,000+ highpoints along Nelson Ridge (wow, a 7,000' unnamed highpoint, not something you see in the Olympics ) Looking back down into the Bumping River valley we could see Bumping Lake below and American Ridge across from us. It didn't look like a major storm was going to hit us so we set out east towards the Mount Aix summit.
Trail gains and loses an insignificant amount of elevation for the next mile as it heads to the base of the summit. Then, it was a little scrambling up to the summit. As GeoTom said, it's easier to get to the top than it looks.
From the summit we could see all the aforementioned sights plus Mount Stuart and the Enchantment Range to the north. Mount Adams was too covered in clouds and there was only peek-a-boo (or peak-a-boo) views of Rainier. Rain clouds and precipitation were covering most of the area around us but we stayed mostly dry on the summit. We signed the register and noted that we were the first ones to sign it for 2008 .
A slight breeze started to chill us down so we headed back down. As we were hiking along the ridge back towards the trail junction the sun finally broke through the clouds. We had to call a halt and everyone stripped off their extra clothes as Dude gloated about being smart enough to wear shorts . Plus, the break in the weather meant we actually had a few minutes for good views of Rainier.
At the trail junction we headed back down into the trees and snow. Luckily the rain had softened the snow quite a bit so we didn't have as much trouble descending through the trees as we'd predicted. About halfway down the snowy part of the trail, we hit an open area perfect for "butt luge" ! As much fun as we had sledding we think the dogs had an even better time chasing the crazy humans.
After the glissading, Tom, Dani, and Dude were in the back of the pack, a little separated from the rest of us, when they found the trail in the snow but noticed the rest of the group's footprints still heading downhill. A few blasts on a safety whistle and they were able to get the group's attention. Soon we were all back together following the switchbacks down to the trailhead. We threw our gear in the cars and headed back to the lodge.
We arrived back at the lodge, successful conquerers, to find a party had broken out while we were gone. Another big thank you to Rich Baldwin, Action Betty, and Slugman for cooking enough food to feed these hungry hikers along with everybody else .
Trail Stats:
12 miles round trip (according to 100 Hikes in Washington's South Cascades and Olympics)
4688' total elevation gained
6 hours 25 minutes trailhead to trailhead (including breaks)
-------------- "Forest 101: These big wood stick things are called trees. The big rocks are called mountains, and the little rocks are their babies." Elliott from Open Season
Very nice pictures !!! thanks for posting these...I was up there in '06, killer views from there, on clear days you can see into Oregon....Glad you had such great views with the so so weather...
-------------- Favorite Onion headline: '95% of Americans Support Public Transit for Other People.'
Joined: 13 Jun 2004 Posts: 1992 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle, WA
Tue Jun 03, 2008 8:32 pm
I've been waiting to do Aix for years now, ever since reading about it in Pacific Northwest Hiking (or as I call it, the hiker's bible) and earmarking it because it had 5 boots (most difficult). Now it's finally on my "yay, I did it!" list.
And I couldn't have asked for a better group of peeps to tag the summit with.
Just a few pics as my camera was afraid to be out in the rain.
It was a pleasant hike, even with the sometimes nasty weather. Nice to meet a few of you for the first time too.
Quote:
We signed the register and noted that we were the first ones to sign it for 2008
Bryan and I found an interesting register entry from last year Apparently I haven't learned my lesson that it should be called Mt. Aches.
One funny thing I remembered (at least I thought it was funny) was seeing Rowena as I was glissading towards her. She had something in her mouth, but it wasn't until I was almost to her that I realized it was a big snowball. Good thing she couldn't throw it at me.
What a great hike in spite of the rain (which I'm not of hiking in). Aix is so far the highest peak for me in WA state, glad to do it with such a great group of people.
Full set of pics here
Great pano Bryan. It really conveys the mood of the day with some mountains visible, but rain obviously ready to soak NWHikers if necessary. Too bad people are too busy reading the thread wondering if the TH is driveable to read the thread about the trail.
Nice job everyone, sounds like a great event! I would have been there but was already committed to another climb (I drew the rain to me in the north to clear the weather for your trip in the south ).
I really like this one. Most of us are probably familiar with both ends of the photo.
-------------- The ground's a long way down but I need more
Is the nightmare black
Or are the windows painted?
Will they come again next week
Can my mind really take it?
One funny thing I remembered (at least I thought it was funny) was seeing Rowena as I was glissading towards her. She had something in her mouth, but it wasn't until I was almost to her that I realized it was a big snowball. Good thing she couldn't throw it at me.
-------------- Anything stated by me in no way reflects the attitudes or opinions of my wife
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. Apparently everyone else doesn't need sleep the way we do so at 8:45 we were woken up to be informed that everyone was waiting on us 
. The group left at 9:15 consisting of 
.
). Since the clouds were so thick we couldn't see for miles and miles but there were good views of Bismark Peak, 7,585', to the SW and various 7,000+ highpoints along Nelson Ridge (wow, a 7,000' 
) Looking back down into the Bumping River valley we could see Bumping Lake below and American Ridge across from us. It didn't look like a major storm was going to hit us so we set out east towards the Mount Aix summit.
.
. Plus, the break in the weather meant we actually had a few minutes for good views of Rainier.
! As much fun as we had sledding we think the dogs had an even better time chasing the crazy humans.
.
Yea, mark Aix off the "done that" list 
And onto the "plan to return" list. 
Thanks Dude for the fab TR!
Apparently I haven't learned my lesson that it should be called Mt. Aches.
- I'm guessing they have a pact that boots or packs can't be removed until 
).
