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Bloated Chipmunk Cock Rock Searcher
Joined: 29 Jan 2007 Posts: 2993 | TRs | Pics Location: Margaritaville |
Since Saturday’s westside forecast didn’t look too hot, we opted to head to the Teanaway for a little fun in the sun. It was the usual 3 suspects: Me, Todd, & MountainMan. Todd & I met MM @ the Issy P&R & then piled into Todd’s car & were headed east…
Esmeralda is a series of summits immediately to the SE of Hawkins Mtn. in the Teanaway region, affording great views of Mt. Stuart, Ingalls Pk., Iron Pk., & many other notable summits. We opted for the west peaks as our destination, as maps & TRs indicated they were higher than the east peaks (& conveniently located close to the De Roux Creek trail, making for a relatively short distance off-trail).
On the dirt rd. not long before the TH, we were flagged down by an older gentleman pulled over, out of the car, & w/map in hand. He said they were kinda lost & wanted to get to Esmeralda. We replied that that was where we were going & that it was further down the rd. & to just follow us. He said OK & thanked us & got back in his car & we started off. Strangely enough, they proceeded to head in the exact opposite direction, back toward town. I joked that maybe he recognized us from nwhikers & read all the hype & wanted to get as far away from us as possible.
We arrived @ the trailhead around 9:30, seeing only 1 other hiker head up the trail just before us. Other vehicles included a few horse trailers, but o/w the lot was pretty empty compared to when we were there for our Hawkins trip in July.
TH sign
A moderate pace was set up the trail & we paused to take pictures of the new bridge, creek, & falls. We also saw some interestingly shaped trees.
Todd on 1st bridge Creek Nice wading pool Falls w/pool below Todd & MM by falls Funky tree
We kept an eye on the GPSs & maps to gauge our approach to the turnoff point for Esmeralda. We got to the last major switchback after the creek crossing & headed up the steep slope.
2 guys w/2 GPSs Falls Todd in the shadows Todd next to lg. boulder where we began our off-trail ascent MM & Todd on slope Todd by rock pile MM coming up steep slope Todd coming up steep slope
We got to a little ridge w/boulders & followed the boulders up. One option is to follow the ridge & then curve left to the double west summits, or follow the boulder basin straight up to hit the saddle between the two. We took the ridge on the way up & the basin on the way down, finding the basin route a little easier & shorter.
Todd on the boulders Up the boulders Dead tree
We got to the eastern of the 2 west summits & found no register, so headed to the western most summit which is directly above Gallagher Head Lk. The 2 bumps are so close in height it is hard to tell the difference, nevertheless the register was found @ the 2nd bump. We signed our names & relaxed, ate, & took pics. The views were amazing! The sun was shining but there was a crisp wind so we quickly put the long sleeves back on.
Our shadows MM signs summit register Views atop Esmeralda Views atop Esmeralda Todd on top Todd on top of Esmeralda west pk. Mt. Stuart Lil' Annapurna (center) Gallagher Head Lk. & false summit of Hawkins Mtn. Gallagher Head Lk.
For the trip back we returned to the saddle & then headed straight down the basin, making short switchbacks on a vague trail that would come and go. The terrain here looks more slippery than it actually is, & once we hit the boulders we still made good time. We eventually intersected our track up, but continued to head in a more southernly route to pick up the trail slightly farther down. This seemed to be a bit more direct than our hike up & it we were down in no time.
Fall colors Almost back to the trail
Soon we reached the De Roux Creek trail, conveniently just before the creek crossing & avoiding the ravine. On the way out Todd spotted yet another interesting tree so he & MM posed w/it.
MM & Todd w/tree
The rest of the trip was uneventful & easy, & when we reached the parking lot only those w/campers & horse trailers were left, settling in for a Saturday night @ the trailhead. We made a quick exit & headed for the Mexican place in Cle Elum, always a satisfying meal after a day on (or off) the trail.
Home is where the hiking is.
"Peaks that have come and gone four times should halt a man in his steps." -- William O. Douglas
A balanced diet is a margarita in each hand.
Home is where the hiking is.
"Peaks that have come and gone four times should halt a man in his steps." -- William O. Douglas
A balanced diet is a margarita in each hand.
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EastKing Surfing and Hiking
Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Posts: 2082 | TRs | Pics Location: 77 miles from Seattle! |
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EastKing
Surfing and Hiking
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Mon Sep 29, 2008 8:16 pm
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Awesome trip! Great TR and photos!!!
YouTube | SummitPost
Saw the depths of despair. Now I am salvaging what time I have left on Earth.
YouTube | SummitPost
Saw the depths of despair. Now I am salvaging what time I have left on Earth.
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GeoTom Member
Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 3215 | TRs | Pics Location: Earth |
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GeoTom
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Mon Sep 29, 2008 8:24 pm
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Quote: | The 2 bumps are so close in height it is hard to tell the difference, nevertheless the register was found @ the 2nd bump. |
I thought the same thing in June. It helped that it was only a couple minute walk between them
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mountain high space junkie
Joined: 03 Aug 2006 Posts: 71 | TRs | Pics Location: between hikes |
How close are we to larch season?
"When one loses the deep intimate relationship with nature, then temples, mosques and churches become important."
-J. Krishnamurti
"When one loses the deep intimate relationship with nature, then temples, mosques and churches become important."
-J. Krishnamurti
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Bloated Chipmunk Cock Rock Searcher
Joined: 29 Jan 2007 Posts: 2993 | TRs | Pics Location: Margaritaville |
Depending on where you go, the larches may or may not be turning yet. I didn't notice any yellowing @/near Esmeralda this wknd. You may wanna check out this thread for info.
Home is where the hiking is.
"Peaks that have come and gone four times should halt a man in his steps." -- William O. Douglas
A balanced diet is a margarita in each hand.
Home is where the hiking is.
"Peaks that have come and gone four times should halt a man in his steps." -- William O. Douglas
A balanced diet is a margarita in each hand.
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The Angry Hiker SAR Blacklistee
Joined: 13 Jun 2008 Posts: 2890 | TRs | Pics Location: Kentwila |
Bloated Chipmunk wrote:
Quote: | We kept an eye on the GPSs & maps to gauge our approach to the turnoff point for Esmeralda. We got to the last major switchback after the creek crossing & headed up the steep slope. |
That wasn't another one of those Class 5 slopes, was it?
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bobbi stillaGUAMish
Joined: 13 Jul 2006 Posts: 8012 | TRs | Pics Location: olympics! |
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bobbi
stillaGUAMish
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Tue Sep 30, 2008 4:24 pm
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are we going to see any photos of you, BC?
bobbi ૐ
"Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So…get on your way!" - Oh, the Places You’ll Go! By Dr. Seuss
bobbi ૐ
"Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So…get on your way!" - Oh, the Places You’ll Go! By Dr. Seuss
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Bloated Chipmunk Cock Rock Searcher
Joined: 29 Jan 2007 Posts: 2993 | TRs | Pics Location: Margaritaville |
bcfc, Todd & MM took lots of pics on this hike so you should be seeing theirs shortly, no doubt some of them will have yours truly.
AH, I brought along some whips as well as a cattle prod for this hike so I would have an easier time forcing Todd & MM up the class 5 slope (their backsides are still feeling the sting), meanwhile we took our chances w/no ropes, helmets, or maps but thankfully managed to make it back to the car in one piece.
Home is where the hiking is.
"Peaks that have come and gone four times should halt a man in his steps." -- William O. Douglas
A balanced diet is a margarita in each hand.
Home is where the hiking is.
"Peaks that have come and gone four times should halt a man in his steps." -- William O. Douglas
A balanced diet is a margarita in each hand.
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MountainMan Member
Joined: 15 Jul 2008 Posts: 365 | TRs | Pics Location: San Diego |
Here are my Esmerelda pics:
Fran (BC) taking a picture at the start of the trail. Todd and Fran on the bridge. View from the trail. Interesting rock... stream Fran enjoying the view from the falls. looking down the falls. Nice little falls. Interesting reddish colored peak across from Esmerelda. Todd at stream crossing, attempting EK pose. Fran's EastKing pose. My EastKing pose attempt. At the stream crossing. Todd by big rock at the end of last switchback where we left the trail for Esmerelda. For Bloated Chipmunk. Lumpy trees What does it look like to you? Looking up towards Esmerelda Peaks from basin. Rainier from Esmerelda. Rainier from Esmerelda Our shadows on the saddle of Esmerelda. On the summit. On the summit. Rainier from Esmerelda.
Slow down, take notice, savor the moment, appreciate the world around you and everything that you have.
Slow down, take notice, savor the moment, appreciate the world around you and everything that you have.
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EastKing Surfing and Hiking
Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Posts: 2082 | TRs | Pics Location: 77 miles from Seattle! |
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EastKing
Surfing and Hiking
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Thu Oct 02, 2008 6:28 am
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Good pics MountainMan!!!! Looks like you'll had a good time!!!
YouTube | SummitPost
Saw the depths of despair. Now I am salvaging what time I have left on Earth.
YouTube | SummitPost
Saw the depths of despair. Now I am salvaging what time I have left on Earth.
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Hiker Mama Member
Joined: 25 Jun 2006 Posts: 3451 | TRs | Pics Location: Lynnwood |
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Mtn Man Snow addict
Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 552 | TRs | Pics Location: Shoreline, WA |
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Mtn Man
Snow addict
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Thu Oct 02, 2008 1:44 pm
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At first I was wondering, "Was I there and didn't know it. I know that I've been stressed lately...." Then I realized that I was on the opposing trail that weekend (Ingalls)
Hiking past Esmerelda, I thought it was a beautiful peak. Thanks for sharing!
B)
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Bloated Chipmunk Cock Rock Searcher
Joined: 29 Jan 2007 Posts: 2993 | TRs | Pics Location: Margaritaville |
Here are a few of Todd's pics:
MM on the 1st bridge Looking east @ Iron Pk. Ladybug colony BC & Mt. Stuart The falls looking up
Home is where the hiking is.
"Peaks that have come and gone four times should halt a man in his steps." -- William O. Douglas
A balanced diet is a margarita in each hand.
Home is where the hiking is.
"Peaks that have come and gone four times should halt a man in his steps." -- William O. Douglas
A balanced diet is a margarita in each hand.
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ree Member
Joined: 29 Jun 2004 Posts: 4399 | TRs | Pics
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ree
Member
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Tue Oct 07, 2008 7:10 am
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