[GeoTom]

Trip overview: Participants: GeoTom and Jasper (dog) Map: Green Trails #209 Mount Stuart Access: North Fork Teanaway Road to FS #112 Trails: Beverly Turnpike #1391, County Line Trail #1226.1, Bean Creek Trail #1391.1 with some unofficial trails and off-trail travel Mileage: Approximately 12 Elevation gain: ~5,000 cumulative gain Summits: Bill's Peak 6,917', Devil's Head 6,666' and Bean Peak 6,743' Details: Due to the poor weather forecast, Jasper and I changed our original plans of scrambling up Kaleetan Peak. Instead, we headed east to the dry haven of the Teanaway. It never rains in the Teanaway (except when it does). The skies were a pleasant shade of light gray at the trailhead, with no sign of rain. Yet. We counted several cars and a couple horse trailers. Since it was hunting season I threw my orange vest over my pack and (with a little resistance) put Jasper's orange vest on him. There was a warning sign at the trailhead that I had not seen before:

Trailhead warning

A bit closer to the junction with the Bean Creek Trail we saw another warning sign:

Another warning

Even with those warnings, I was still a bit shocked to actually see the horse. Jasper and I moved quickly past it on the Beverly Turnpike Trail. It didn't feel like summer anymore as we made our way up the trail towards our first objective for the day, Bill's Peak. We encountered a group of three hunters a couple miles in and chatted with them for a couple minutes. Well, I talked while Jasper licked himself. They told me what they knew about that dead horse. As Jasper and I continued up the trail the smell of smoke increased. At first I though somebody had a large campfire going, but then I realized that it must be the Jack Creek fire coming back to life. The skies were very smoky.

Jasper in his vest, looking for JimK

First view of Bill's Peak

We turned right onto the County Line Trail and continued to the junction with the Fourth Creek Trail. At the junction we headed off trail to the northwest, straight towards Bill's Peak. I had been up Bill's Peak a couple years ago with loper, and thought I knew the way. We made it, but like the previous trip, topped out on the slightly lower north summit We made our way over to the real summit, and as I started up a gully, Jasper ran around to my left. I called him back, but he wasn't having any of it. Next thing I know he's at the summit looking down at me, wondering why I took the hard way up The views were slightly obscured by smoke and clouds, and there was a strong wind at the top.

Jasper on Bill's Peak

It wuz ez 4 me

Mt. Stuart from Bill's Peak

Ingalls and Fortune from Bill's Peak

After a rest and food break on the top of Bill's, we retraced our steps and descended to the saddle and the County Line Trail. As we were heading east towards the saddle between Bean Peak and Volcanic Neck, we saw another lone hunter. He came over and we talked for a couple minutes. He wished us a safe trip and we parted ways. Soon we reached the saddle and had a decision to make. I had thought about heading around and past Volcanic Neck to Point 6,666 (known as Devil's Head). I was worried about the time as I had told Dani I would be home in time for dinner with friends. Jasper assured me we would be able to do it and get home in time, so off we went.

Almost to the saddle

Our next goal, Devil's Head

I had read that the 'route' swung around the west (left from our vantage point) side of Volcanic Neck. We managed to get around it, but what started out as a promising boot path disappeared for a while. The terrain was full of loose rock, but we made it around without too much trouble, and regained the ridgetop and continued north to Devil's Head. As we reached Devil's Head I felt a few sprinkles They didn't amount to much though. We enjoyed another food break and slightly obscured views to Stuart and friends before heading back.

Stuart and Sherpa

Soapy still dreaming of Stuart

I paused to take a look at the route up Volcanic Neck. From some past and more recent TR's I was able to visualize the route. I decided to save it for another day as I thought it would be too risky trying to get Jasper up it and down safely. We contoured around Volcanic Neck again and found ourselves at the saddle north of Bean Peak. I had been up Bean Peak before, but scrambled up a gully on the west side. This ridge walk looked even easier, so off we went. Soon enough we were at the top and Jasper decided it was time for a nap. I spotted a couple hikers in Bean Creek Basin and waved. I don't think they saw me.

Back at the saddle again

Hello Earl

Bean Creek basin

Ridge to Judy's and Mary's

Nap time

Proof I was there

After another food and water break, we descended into Bean Creek basin. The first 50 feet or so was a little steep and Jasper needed a little encouragement and assistance past a couple spots. Once past those he again took the lead and kept looking back at the slow '2-legger'. We encountered the 2 hikers on the slopes in the upper basin. We chatted for a few minutes and then continued on our descent to the truck.

Bean Peak from Bean Creek basin

We managed to arrive at the trailhead at 3:02, and were on the road soon after. Light rain started at Easton and by the Snoqualmie Pass it was pouring like a late November afternoon. The rain didn't let up much all the way home. I managed to put my stuff away and shower before our friends arrived for dinner (they were even late )

[Go Jo]

[GeoTom]

You guys actually went up Kaleetan then? If so, have you dried out yet?

[Type E]

I was almost there to keep you company. I had changed my plans to go somewhere drier and then changed them into going back to bed. Glad you had a good day! E

[Go Jo]

[EastKing]

Great TR and photos!!

[wildernessed]

Nice shots of Stuarts SE side, through the haze.

[loper]

Funny, I was just thinking about my yearly trip to the Teanaways in search of larch............ Ya wanna do a longish hike/scramble to the Teanaways in a couple of weeks? I wonder if we could squeeze in Volcanic Neck? Glad you lucked out with the weather. Nice trip report! L

[Bad Dog]

Thanks for not posting a picture of the dead horse!

[Bad Dog]

BTW, Holly loves Jasper's new outfit!

[Jasper]

[Schmidt Alti-Dude]

Glad so see you made it out. We should of listened to you and tried to invite ourselves onto your dayhike.

[Ingunn]

Jasper, you look very handsome and masculine in your vest! Damnit, this would have been so much better than spending our Saturday cleaning the kitchen..

[GeoTom]

[Bad Dog]