Forum Index > Trip Reports > Cursed on Koppen Mountain trail, 7-20-08
 Reply to topic
Previous :: Next Topic
Author Message
Karen
Member
Member


Joined: 22 Dec 2001
Posts: 2866 | TRs | Pics
Karen
Member
PostMon Jul 21, 2008 8:32 am 
Solosteve and I co-lead another Mountaineer Conditioning Hike (CHS), planning a loop starting from the Johnson-Medra Trail, Jungle Creek trail, Koppen Mountain trail and back to the Johnson Medra trail. It was kind of an odd day, all in all. We didn't complete the loop. One of our friends and companions got spooked by the exposure on the Koppen Mountain stretch of the hike so after some dithering as to split up the group or not, we all turned around and hiked back the way we came. As for the trails -- we started out from the N. Teanaway Road on the Johnson-Medra trail but this time we turn off (left) onto the Jungle Creek trail rather than continue to Medra Pass as we did recently. Incidentally that stretch used to be called the Johnson Creek trail - no more, I guess. Jungle Creek is well-named -- it is just like, er uh -- a jungle on the lower stretch of the trail. Lots of head-high vegetation and late-summer flowers including fireweed and asters. We made good time to the junction for the Way Creek Trail and took a break in the shade. Then continued on the Way Creek trail to the Koppen/Way Creek junction. That stretch of trail is in good shape with minor undulating ups and downs, views of Mount Stuart. At the junction we continued on the Koppen Mt trail -- it was hot so we took our time. The trail is not the best -- in places, steep and crumbly with some exposure. Quite a few flowers still on this stretch including a couple we could not identify. HINT: Can anyone identify the red/white flower?? Can't find it in the field guides, not even Pojar. We knew one of our friends sometimes has trouble with exposure but the friend seemed to be doing pretty well but just as Solosteve and I thought we were in the clear, our friend was in trouble, really got spooked. Having not scouted out the trail in its entirety we finally agreed we'd all go back the way we came. Some members of our party wanted to complete the loop but again, I wasn't happy with splitting up the group so we went back. By the way, there were tons of butterflies along the trail, some of them thought we were big flowers (with our colorful packs). I caught a glimpse of a mostly yellow bird with some red on his head -- one of the warblers I suspect but was not able to get a photo. Back at the trailhead nobody could agree on where to eat (there were 3 cars of us). Some of our group wanted a more upscale restaurant than The Cottage Cafe (Solosteve and I love the Cottage Cafe), some wanted to go to the Sunset Cafe, some wanted to stop at the hamburger stand. We finally all agreed to meet at the hamburger stand but the other 2 cars sped by as Solosteve and I were standing in line to order our grub. Then, our two passengers had no cash - the hamburger stand wouldn't accept a credit card so we also had to stop at Safeway so our passengers could get some grub to eat in the car on the way back. Finally back on the road after a less than perfect day, we hit a major traffic jam on I-90 near North Bend. We got off at Exit 34 -- we wanted to go into the gas station, get a cold drink and use the bathroom but there were about a million cars there so we drove to the Little Si trailhead and used that facility. Then we enjoyed a scenic drive through North Bend, Fall City, etc. back to Preston. From Preston the interstate was clear, no traffic problems at all. An "interesting" day, all said and done. About 10 miles round trip with 2,200 feet of gain. Karen
Can you spot the hikers?
Can you spot the hikers?
The beginning of the end
The beginning of the end
Hikers on Koppen Mt trail
Hikers on Koppen Mt trail
A new friend, Koppen Mt trail
A new friend, Koppen Mt trail
Not in the field guide
Not in the field guide
Shadows
Shadows

stay together, learn the flowers, go light - from Turtle Island, Gary Snyder
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
wamtngal
Member
Member


Joined: 13 Jun 2004
Posts: 2382 | TRs | Pics
Location: somewhere
wamtngal
Member
PostMon Jul 21, 2008 9:40 am 
Someone id'd that flower last year...wish I could remember the name and the post that it was id'd in...

Opinions expressed here are my own.
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
DL's Partner
Member
Member


Joined: 02 Jun 2008
Posts: 8 | TRs | Pics
Location: Snohomish
DL's Partner
Member
PostMon Jul 21, 2008 11:34 am 
Sorry you had some issues with your trip. And what's wrong with Cottage Cafe--I love that place! suuure.gif

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Grizzy
Yellow Cedar Hugger



Joined: 16 Jul 2006
Posts: 1936 | TRs | Pics
Location: Switchbacks
Grizzy
Yellow Cedar Hugger
PostMon Jul 21, 2008 12:21 pm 
Karen! So sorry your day went this way! I'm thinking these CHS trips are too big...I had only four yesterday on mine, and it was great! up.gif

All the birds have flown up and gone; A lonely cloud floats leisurely by. We never tire of looking at each other - Only the mountain and I. ~Li Po~
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Joey
verrry senior member



Joined: 05 Jun 2005
Posts: 2794 | TRs | Pics
Location: Redmond
Joey
verrry senior member
PostMon Jul 21, 2008 12:22 pm 
Mystery plant is locoweed. First time we saw it we were stumped. Finally found it in one of the guides.

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
solohiker
Member
Member


Joined: 23 Jan 2004
Posts: 1075 | TRs | Pics
Location: issaquah
solohiker
Member
PostMon Jul 21, 2008 12:26 pm 
There was a brush fire on I-90 near North Bend which was likely the source of the traffic issue. Glad you managed to stay cool - looked like that was a pretty hot hike on a hot day.

I have never been lost, but I'll admit to being confused for several weeks. - Daniel Boone
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Solo Steve
Harry Mudd wannabe



Joined: 07 Jun 2006
Posts: 639 | TRs | Pics
Location: Federal Way
Solo Steve
Harry Mudd wannabe
PostMon Jul 21, 2008 8:17 pm 
Cursed is about right -- I told my wife it was God's way of telling me I was hiking too much! No matter, we still had fun. embarassedlaugh.gif
Rock foliage
Rock foliage
Butterfly inspects my boot
Butterfly inspects my boot
Mystery flower
Mystery flower
Sidelit columbine
Sidelit columbine

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Hiker Mama
Member
Member


Joined: 25 Jun 2006
Posts: 3447 | TRs | Pics
Location: Lynnwood
Hiker Mama
Member
PostMon Jul 21, 2008 10:07 pm 
That's a neat flower, and I like the shadow pic and the lichen pic. Sorry it didn't go as planned; I know how that is. rolleyes.gif

My hiking w/ kids site: www.thehikermama.com
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Tim Hagan
Member
Member


Joined: 22 Jul 2008
Posts: 189 | TRs | Pics
Location: Bellevue, WA
Tim Hagan
Member
PostTue Jul 22, 2008 1:33 pm 
The mystery plant is Astragalus whitneyi, known as Whitney's locoweed or balloon milk-vetch. The photos show the inflated balloon-like seedpods. See: http://www.wnps.org/plants/astragalus_whitneyi.htm. Or not.

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
   All times are GMT - 8 Hours
 Reply to topic
Forum Index > Trip Reports > Cursed on Koppen Mountain trail, 7-20-08
  Happy Birthday kiliki, mtnmschist, adamcwatts!
Jump to:   
Search this topic:

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum