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Sadie's Driver Sadie's Driver
Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 1763 | TRs | Pics Location: Welcome Pass |
When we last left you (we were on Stillaguamish) there was a conundrum about "How many NW Hikers does it take to make a decision?" Well, we got you through that one - now the new question, "How many NW Hikers does it take to tell you where you are going?"The directionally challenged!
Sad, folks, sad. But this little adventure started out a bit confused anyway - Cartman (Eric) and Opus (David) were supposed to meet Jack at the Bellevue P&R - but apparently, Jack was still in bed! So, meanwhile, the Driver, Middle E (Barry), Jim K and Gus were headed to the Alpental Parking Lot for a rendezvous with Trail Pair (Bob and Kolleen) @ 8:30 a.m. And, also joining this rag-tag group (obviously, not worried about his reputation for hooking up with this sketchy group ) was Joe. So, David managed to catch up with us and we were headed out about 9:00 a.m.Assembling NW Hikers In the beginning . . .
There were a fair number of cars in the parking lot, but folks were heading in all sorts of directions. In fact, we weren't even sure where we were headed! (surprised? ) It was a glorious day - with stunningly blue skies with the clouds burning off.Lifting clouds (looking south)
We set off for - at least - Snow Lake.Barry and Eric with Gus heading towards Snow Lake Creek early along the trail
The last time Jim K, David and I had been on this trail, it was heavily ladened with snow and we had a devil of a time trying to make it to the saddle above Snow Lake - in fact, Jim and I didn't - but David, Yumi and Jack did and eventually went on to Snow. But today, ahh, today would be different. The trail to the lake was well-trodden - probably all of the N.W. Hikers' footsteps heading to Avalanche Mountain. We were making great time.K and Jim K heading up to the saddle
Still uncertain of our destination, there was a slight sense of panic among some of our group . . .Jim giving directions - Bob pleading for help!
But we trudged on and were treated to some great early winter scenery.Icicles on the rocks along the trail up to saddle
It wasn't long before we reached the Snow Lake saddle and got some views to the north.First peek of Snow Lake as we drop over the saddle Snow lake from the trail looking north Avalanche Mtn. to the east
At the junction with the Avalanche route, we were still confused.Still discussing which way to go
But Gus is single-minded!Gus trying to get his best friend, Kolleen's, attention
We had made such great time to Snow Lake (a little more than an hour - much quicker than we expected), the decision was made to soldier on to Gem Lake and Wright Mountain. Only Eric had been to Avalanche, but so many NW Hikers had been there this week, we decided to throw caution to the wind and head on - and David's knee seemed to be holding up well, so he was game for it! Snow Lake is a BIG lake, and it took a while to get to the end of it and head toward Gem. The snow was in excellent condition and about 12" deep. We didn't need snowshoes, because the trench had been started by a few folks who went before us. Good thing, because none of us were carrying snowshoes! And, we wouldn't need ice axes. The route up to the Snow Lake saddle on the west side would prove to be pretty slick on our way out due to the amount of traffic during the day and the falling temperatures - but nothing impassable.Western ridge above Snow Lake and little frozen pond in the foreground
Just before the log crossing at the NE end of Snow Lake, we ran into our friend Jack and Jack's Mom. Jack is a gorgeous German Shepard - Gus had such a great time with him on our way to Jolly Mtn. earlier this year. He was delighted to meet a 4-legged buddy. Jack's Mom (Chris) was on her way back - seems Jack didn't want to cross the log bridge across the outlet stream. We suggested that Gus might encourage him to take a chance, but no luck. Jack was certain that he didn't want to take a chance!Barry and Gus crossing log bridge with little difficulty
So we continued on without them, but Shadow (Scott) Chris' 2-legged son was ahead on snowshoes, helping to pack the trail for all of us!Eric and Gus heading toward Gem
Soon, we were at Gem Lake and, yup, there was Scott.Scott at Gem with cool clouds above
It was a bit breezy here, so we opted to head out of the wind to grab a bite to eat before heading up Wright.Barry and K heading from Gem toward Wright
We grabbed some lunch along Gem's lakeshore with a view of our destination.Wright Mt. from Gem lakeshore
Joe decided to wait for us here, but Scott decided to join us for a quick jaunt up Wright. There was no broken trail from this point forward, but Barry, our fearless leader, had no trouble making his way up the east side of the ridge (and out of that brisk wind!). We had to cross a couple of lousy talus fields that simply weren't covered quite enough by new snow. But it wasn't a show-stopper. Gus seemed to be the one to have the most difficulty with finding his way out of the holes in the rocks. Barry soon was on top of the summit of Mt. Wright.King (aka Barry) of the Mountain (on Wright summit)
And the rest followed for some great summit shots - the wind wasn't too bad and the temperatures were quite tolerable. We didn't dawdle, but had time to take in the sights.K and Bob on the summit of Wright Scott coming up to the summit - lovely peaks behind Glacier Peak in distance View of Gem and Snow lakes and Mt. Snoqualmie to the east (looking south from summit of Wright) Gem and Snow lakes with the saddle above Snow that we came up and over Group shot on the top of Wright - gorgeous!
Wanting to be in a pic on the summit, the Driver asked for someone to take a pic - hmmm, not as easy as it looks!"What do you mean you can't see anything through the viewfinder?"
We were worried that going down off of the summit would be tricky over the talus fields - but to our surprise, it was relatively easy. Once back at Gem Lake, we reconnected with Joe, who was wrapped up in his down jacket and bivy sack all toasty! We took a quick snack break.David digging for M&Ms
Barry, the Driver and Gus headed out first and made quick time getting back to the car. We were amazed at the number of people coming in towards Snow Lake, since it already was 3:00 p.m. - and the sun had dropped behind the ridge. The trail down the west side of the saddle, was already "iffy" - some of our group even pulled out their Yak-Trax. But what a great day (the only thing missing was a little drama! ) We figure about 11 miles roundtrip and maybe 3200' of gain or so. Perfect Sunday afternoon. (Better than wasting time watching the Seahawks lose once again!)
Four-paw buddy lets me tag along!
Four-paw buddy lets me tag along!
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Joe Member
Joined: 29 Jun 2002 Posts: 819 | TRs | Pics Location: Kent |
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Joe
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Sun Nov 23, 2008 8:29 pm
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a few of my photos
On-the-trail views2 in-the-switchbacks first-view-of-snow-lake snow-lake crossing-the-outlet-stream middle-fork-views blowing-snow views4 Gem-lake-and-Wright-mtn views-across-gem-lake1 views-across-gem-lake2
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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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Sun Nov 23, 2008 8:34 pm
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Beautiful pictures and great trip report!!!
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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Sadie's Driver Sadie's Driver
Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 1763 | TRs | Pics Location: Welcome Pass |
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Sadie's Driver
Sadie's Driver
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Sun Nov 23, 2008 8:40 pm
The Wright Stuff
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Four-paw buddy lets me tag along!
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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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Sun Nov 23, 2008 8:49 pm
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Jasper would have enjoyed this trip. Alas, he got to watch me fill in the hole I dug in the front yard the day before. And chase after the occasional frisbee and soccer ball.
Are you sure TrailPair was actually there? The sky doesn't look gray enough for one of their patented summit views.
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Tazz Member
Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 7902 | TRs | Pics
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Tazz
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Sun Nov 23, 2008 8:51 pm
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what a perfect day huh? sweet stuff
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Ingunn Hiking Viking
Joined: 01 Feb 2008 Posts: 1751 | TRs | Pics Location: Redmond |
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Ingunn
Hiking Viking
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Sun Nov 23, 2008 9:04 pm
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Excellent photos - I haven't seen views this clear in ages!
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TrailPair Member
Joined: 17 Apr 2005 Posts: 1699 | TRs | Pics
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Not only was the weather perfect, but the snow conditions were good, too! The fresh snow from last night flocked the trees, making everything more beautiful. Great destination and company.Snow Lake trail Icicles and dark blue sky Snow Lake Bob and Eric on summit, Upper Wildcat Lake beyond Suzanne and Barry descending Wright Mt.
This thing called work is interfering with my play
This thing called work is interfering with my play
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Go Jo of the lykkens
Joined: 08 Jun 2003 Posts: 2248 | TRs | Pics Location: Around The Bend |
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Go Jo
of the lykkens
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Sun Nov 23, 2008 10:54 pm
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Hiker Mama Member
Joined: 25 Jun 2006 Posts: 3448 | TRs | Pics Location: Lynnwood |
That looks like a really fun and gorgeous trip for this time of year. Cool!
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Opus Wannabe
Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 3700 | TRs | Pics Location: The big rock candy mountain |
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Opus
Wannabe
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Sun Nov 23, 2008 11:14 pm
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Great day to be out! Glad to be above the treeline again!
Click here for the full photo set.
Misty mountains Snow Lake trail Passing cloud Ridge view Frozen pond Spin drift Cold out Gem Lake Snoqualmie Mountain Wright Mountain top Snow and Gem lakes Heading down Lake outlet
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Jennifer S. Member
Joined: 06 Aug 2007 Posts: 228 | TRs | Pics Location: South Puget Sound |
Wow, great photos everyone! Looks like a fun trip.
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Tazz Member
Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 7902 | TRs | Pics
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Tazz
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Sun Nov 23, 2008 11:19 pm
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opus!! good stuff as usual!
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Matt Tea, Earl Grey, Hot
Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 4307 | TRs | Pics Location: Shoreline |
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Matt
Tea, Earl Grey, Hot
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Sun Nov 23, 2008 11:29 pm
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The lakes and snow all look beautiful.
Bummed that I had to stay home today.
“As beacons mountains burned at evening.” J.R.R. Tolkien
“As beacons mountains burned at evening.” J.R.R. Tolkien
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Sadie's Driver Sadie's Driver
Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 1763 | TRs | Pics Location: Welcome Pass |
Four-paw buddy lets me tag along!
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