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Sadie's Driver Sadie's Driver
Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 1763 | TRs | Pics Location: Welcome Pass |
We were on an assignment - recon for Elle's flower trip. Our mission was to carefully document what we found - and this trip didn't disappoint! Picking up Yumi at the early hour of 7:00 a.m., off we headed to Bench Mark Mountain via West Cady Ridge. It was brisk but the skies were absolutely stunningly clear - with a promise of lots of sunshine (note: Yumi DID bring the sunscreen today - more on that later). In two hours, with little traffic along the route, (note: The 76 Station in Monroe - the first one on the right heading east - gas is $2.81/gallon - the Chevron on the west side of Sultan it's $2.79/gal) we were at the trailhead - not another car in the lot.Do not feed the bears! Checking in
We got underway just a little after 9:00 a.m. - there were lots of mosquitoes but fortunately, it was their little jaws were frozen shut because it was still a little cool and early The info on the board said that there was snow at 3800' - our start was 2500' - but the brown trail was a welcome site. Within minutes, we were crossing the N. Fork of the Skykomish, with a lovely bridge across.North Fork of the Skykomish Nice bridge crossing
and we entered the Wild Sky Yahoo!
It looks like this will be a good huckleberry year here, too - but someone couldn't wait.Bear marks?
Although the map shops a fairly steep climb up to the ridge - it really is quite moderate and an easy grade. We passed 3800' with no snow in evidence - in fact, we didn't see any real snow until about 4600' - but from that point the snow was continuous. Sometimes only a couple of inches, but in other spots several feet.Cady Ridge with lots of snow
As we reached the ridge, we would have to find our own trail. We consulted the map and picked a route that kept us to the east/southeast to skirt around the drainage - you actually can kinda' see the ridge route - in fact we could even spot Bench Mark in the distance.Our destination - Bench Mark in the distance
All sorts of views opened up for us as we hit the ridge - it was glorious!Monte Cristo to the west Rainier to the south Glacier looms ahead Indian Head peak in distance Baker between Sloan and Pugh
Note to Elle: be prepared for snow - it's supposed to be warm this week and perhaps there will be a lot of melt - but be prepared for snow! We only used poles - no need for extra gear.1/2 trail and 1/2 snow
Another note - there were some lovely flowers while we were still below snow line - Bleeding Heart, Bunchberry, Violets, even some Trillium. But, the snow has halted any additional flowers on the ridge - well, with the exception of the spectacular Glacier Lilies where the snow has melted - quite a show and by next weekend - the whole ridge should be covered in lilies Glacier Lilies reading to pop Brown trail and yellow lilies Glacier lilies with Monte Cristo behind
We were making great time - it only took us 1 1/2 hour to the ridge (3 3/4 miles) - but the snow would slow us down a little - also, you have to drop about 250' off of the ridge before ascending another bump - because this bump is a southerly facing slope - we were on brown trail most of the way up. We stopped for lunch here before heading on to the summit of Bench Mark. Barry did a great job of keeping us (mostly) on course, with only a few corrections along the way.
Elle, dutifully, we checked the camping conditions - let me put it this way, you won't have any trouble finding water! But there are some great camping spots - a couple just below the summit of Bench Mark in a stand of trees - totally off of snow.Camp site below Bench Mark Camp site below Bench Mark summit
If you continue up the ridge and onto the summit, there is a level spot for at least one tent.Camp site on the top of Bench Mark
As you can see, there's still a lot of snow on the ridge line and the summit of Bench Mark (we never found a summit register nor a USGS benchmark on the summit).Looking back on our route up the ridge to summit Gus and Barry and lots of blue sky Yumi coming up to the summit of Bench Mark (looking south) Barry on summit of Bench Mark (looking north) The magnificent Glacier Peak Baker behind Pugh Glacier and friends
Today was a bit poignant, as this was the 2nd anniversary of Sadie's hitting heaven's trails. Even though she never visited Bench Mark, a sandwich was left for herSadie's Sandwich
- I'm sure she'll find it. We enjoyed some more sun on the summit and a quick snack and time for pics before heading down.Driver, Barry and Gus with Glacier behind on summit of Bench Mark Yumi, Barry and Gus on Bench Mark Hot dog!
By now the snow had softened, but it still was slippery as we headed off the summit.Yumi coming off of Bench Mark - slip slidding!
Another quick shot of those gorgeous lilies . . .Lily fields forever
We noticed on our way back at one spot on the ridge there must be a horse camp, because we found a high hitch . . .Horse tie
The return was fairly uneventful - but we were surprised to see that there were some bootprints back on Cady Ridge. It looked like there were some additional dog prints, too. We continued on - when what to our wondering eyes should appear, but a stout, belligerent and mouthy Jasper (!) and a confused Loki The stout and belligerent Christine, Loki and mouthy ;-)
Seems GeoTom left Mr. J in the capable hands of Christine and she thought she would take him somewhere remote where he wouldn't encounter others - SURPRISE! Of course, Jasper knew Gus and managed to quickly assert himself and establish the pecking order. Gus couldn't care less and was more interested in knowing whether or not Christine had any treats! On we continued and soon we were back on dirt - and before long back to the car. By now, there were 3 other cars in the lot - don't know where the others were. Not surprising, since there are three different trailheads at this location.
Stats:
16 miles round trip (that may be generous - but that's what all of the books say!)
4000' gain
7 1/2 hours car to car (including a lunch stop and a summit stop)
Final note to Elle - at first we all voted that you probably shouldn't do this trip because there was still so much snow and there wouldn't be many flowers. But, after doing it, we decided it's a GREAT trip and well worth it - you can avoid camping on the snow and the Glacier Lilies will be at their best! Go for it!
(side bar - 522 now has one less light on it - nice!)
Hope you get some sleep Yumi!
Four-paw buddy lets me tag along!
Four-paw buddy lets me tag along!
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Sore Feet Member
Joined: 16 Dec 2001 Posts: 6307 | TRs | Pics Location: Out There, Somewhere |
Thanks for the recon, I'll definitely be heading up there in the next week or so.
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Get Out and Go Member
Joined: 13 Nov 2004 Posts: 2129 | TRs | Pics Location: Leavenworth |
Here's looking at you from the east on Poe on Friday. Benchmark Mountain
Looks like a beautiful day up there.
"These are the places you will find me hiding'...These are the places I will always go."
(Down in the Valley by The Head and The Heart)
"Sometimes you're happy. Sometimes you cry.
Half of me is ocean. Half of me is sky."
(Thanks, Tom Petty)
"These are the places you will find me hiding'...These are the places I will always go."
(Down in the Valley by The Head and The Heart)
"Sometimes you're happy. Sometimes you cry.
Half of me is ocean. Half of me is sky."
(Thanks, Tom Petty)
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Sadie's Driver Sadie's Driver
Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 1763 | TRs | Pics Location: Welcome Pass |
Yeah, I saw your report and smiled to see a pic of "us" from your vantage point. Your notes were most helpful for a possible trip toward the Glacier Basin - we did Indian Head last summer and it was spectacular! Thanks for the info! s.d.
Four-paw buddy lets me tag along!
Four-paw buddy lets me tag along!
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Snowdog Member
Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 1028 | TRs | Pics Location: on (& off) the beaten path |
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Snowdog
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Sun Jun 28, 2009 12:21 pm
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with such a great report, I fear I will not be able to find an unoccupied spot up there- consider this my 'reservation' for the summit (if not too breezy) or that lovely spot below.
'we don't have time for a shortcut'
'we don't have time for a shortcut'
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TrailPair Member
Joined: 17 Apr 2005 Posts: 1699 | TRs | Pics
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Gorgeous! We hope to camp up there within the next couple of weeks!
This thing called work is interfering with my play
This thing called work is interfering with my play
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the Zachster Member
Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 4776 | TRs | Pics Location: dog training |
Great! A nwhikers social!!!
"May I always be the kind of person my dog thinks I am"
"May I always be the kind of person my dog thinks I am"
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Middle E no more moustache
Joined: 10 Feb 2008 Posts: 432 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle, WA |
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Middle E
no more moustache
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Sun Jun 28, 2009 6:23 pm
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The Beckler Road is in excellent condition, newly graded and smooth. The side road to the trailheads is not graded, but still in great shape. It's a pleasant change from the Teanaway roads we've driven lately.
The trail itself is also in excellent condition, at least the part that's not covered by snow. Above 4700' there is only one extended stretch with southern exposure that's clear - in spite of that we were able to stay pretty close to it. Things will open up pretty quickly if it stays warm, particularly on the ridge approaching Benchmark Mtn. and the summit itself.
All in all a great trip.
N. Fork Skykomish W. Cady ridge Glacier lilies line the trail Suzanne and Yumi Sloan, Pugh & Baker Ridge nearing Benchmark Suzanne on Benchmark Sun dog? Monte Cristo behind glacier lilies Glacier lilies on the way to Benchmark
pithy yet insightful signature
pithy yet insightful signature
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Jasper Cascade Snow Pig
Joined: 13 Apr 2008 Posts: 350 | TRs | Pics Location: Burrowing in the snow |
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Jasper
Cascade Snow Pig
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Sun Jun 28, 2009 9:31 pm
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Sadie's Driver wrote: | We continued on - when what to our wondering eyes should appear, but a stout, belligerent and mouthy Jasper (!) and a confused Lokki |
I may be stout, but I am not belligerent. Well, only a little. And Loki often has a confused look, but he's a good guy.
Nice to see you out there. Glad I got a hike in even if it wasn't with my mom and dad.
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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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twodogdad Member
Joined: 21 Nov 2006 Posts: 846 | TRs | Pics Location: seattle |
Sadie's Driver wrote: | Today was a bit poignant, as this was the 2nd anniversary of Sadie's hitting heaven's trails. Even though she never visited Bench Mark, a sandwich was left for herSadie's Sandwich
- I'm sure she'll find it. |
A sweet tribute for a sweet dog! (I hope Gus behaved with proper reverence.) td
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Gray Lazy Hiker
Joined: 25 Aug 2006 Posts: 1059 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle, WA |
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Gray
Lazy Hiker
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Mon Jun 29, 2009 1:46 am
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Hmmmm.
I thought the road to te W Cady TH was innaccessible, due to the washout on Index-Galena.... is the side road before the washout (coming from Beckler/Jack pass?
--Gray
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JimK Member
Joined: 07 Feb 2002 Posts: 5606 | TRs | Pics Location: Ballard |
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JimK
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Mon Jun 29, 2009 6:56 am
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Perfectly accessible via the Beckler Road over Jack Pass.
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Sadie's Driver Sadie's Driver
Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 1763 | TRs | Pics Location: Welcome Pass |
Gray wrote: | Hmmmm. I thought the road to te W Cady TH was innaccessible, due to the washout on Index-Galena.... is the side road before the washout (coming from Beckler/Jack pass?--Gray |
Go out the Beckler Forest Service 65 to Forest Service 63 (6300) - don't take the Lake Blanca turn!!! The road is fine that direction - it is blocked, however, towards Index/Galena. s.d.
Four-paw buddy lets me tag along!
Four-paw buddy lets me tag along!
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Dani Kimtah's Mom
Joined: 01 Jul 2008 Posts: 136 | TRs | Pics
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Dani
Kimtah's Mom
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Mon Jun 29, 2009 2:11 pm
Stout
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I hope Jasper wasn't too obnoxious!
Will have to get out with you again sometime.
We just had to enjoy the whitewater instead this weekend.
Keeping GeoTom in line since 1998
Keeping GeoTom in line since 1998
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