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zephyr aka friendly hiker
Joined: 21 Jun 2009 Posts: 3370 | TRs | Pics Location: West Seattle |
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zephyr
aka friendly hiker
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Fri Jul 24, 2009 12:43 pm
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Last night TNAB set its sights on Silver Peak (elev 5,605 ft) south, southeast of Snoqualmie Pass. The hike and scrambles were a success with splendid views all around the nearby Cascades through the cloud layers.
This trip report is a joint effort and others will add on photos and maybe a more accurate role call.
I had participated in an earlier Bryant Peak TNAB three weeks ago and knew the pace these folks keep--basically a dead run. So I did a Pre-NAB and headed up the trail around 4 pm. FS road 9070 is very rough and washed out in several places. I had made this trip in early June before much other traffic this season. Then I had to park alongside the road about a mile and a half from the TH due to deep ruts and 2-3 feet of snow in the road bed. But yesterday the snow was melted and the ruts somewhat worn down by use. It does take skillful driving and sturdy tires if you're in a sedan. Be warned.
The PCT was well-marked and clear all the way to the Peak turn off. I had met some hikers coming down who verified the existence of rock cairns marking the boot path up. HOWEVER, be aware that there is a mystery rock cairn earlier than the turn. About mile 1.4 going south you descend in a series of switchbacks and go around a major obstacle above (looked liked rock outcroppings from below and an avalanched zone from above). Another quarter of a mile or so is a small cairn and a boot bath up. Supposedly there is a small tarn along the trail beyond. That tells you that you've gone too far. (Turns out that the main party did just that. I've leave it up to them to explain their bushwhack up.)
I followed the steep boot path up for quite aways but it kept taking me well south of the peak which I could see through the trees. I was running into No Trespassing signs for the Cedar River Watershed. I ended up on top of a beautiful knob but far from my goal. 'Tried bushwhacking toward the peak, but ran into some fierce resistance and gained some scratches. So then I decided to retrace my steps and search for another path. That worked and soon I was back on track headed for the scree slopes up Silver. Along the way the bugs which had been present all along suddenly intensified. There was a snow-filled saddle that made me wonder if the summit would be any fun at all. But as luck would have it, the breezes intensified and I kept up my pace outrunning the mosquitoes, gnats and flies. The last bit of the climb up was quite nice, just enough exposure to keep it thrilling and views all around. No one in sight. I waved at three ravens in the distance above Lake Annette and they flew over to check me out. Very cool.
I arrived on top by 6 pm. The sun was still warm, but it was very windy now. I had plenty of time to eat, rehydrate, take photos and find comfortable perches. The clouds were filling the valleys below and overflowing up through Windy Pass. I could see the road I had driven up and Twin Lakes. Mt. Catherine was also above the clouds, Hyak would be covered, then peek out. The Pass was socked in, but beyond Keechelus Lake and the ridges beyond were open and sunny.
About an hour or so later, I saw my first visitor approaching from below. It was a guy and with a little dog leading the way. Soon I was joined by Larry and Digger. Larry was friendly and I was immediately taken with Digger. He had such presence. Despite his short stature he moved about the rocks with an ease and confidence that was impressive. He was friendly, courteous, not distant or standoffish---just right. He was attentive to Larry, but his own person as well. He saw me from below, paused, summitted, then checked out the top like a pro. We introduced ourselves and Digger went about his business of seeing what Silver Peak had to offer. We all watched the trail from above to see who would show up next. Larry and I observed a small aircraft gaining altitude to clear the clouds and fly over the Pass.
By 8 pm, the main party had arrived. Magnum and maybe seven or eight others swarmed the summit looking for places to drop their poles, packs and catch their breath. Cameras, water bottles and food were in hand. No other dogs appeared that night. A few other peeps arrived including Mntsun and ewb. Mntsun had started shortly after I did and gone on to summit both West and East Tinkham, then West again and on to Abiel. Astounding job since he arrived pretty much on the heels of the main party. ewb had started from the Cold Creek/Twin Lakes trailhead as did WxMan so they had additional altitude to gain.
The sun was setting and the group photo was taken from rather a precarious rocky slope by Magnum. Heading down the peak we encountered Malachai who had also summitted West Tinkham and Abiel enroute. Quite an achievement doing those extra peaks in such a short window. Maybe we'll hear some stories from them as well.
The trip down was relatively painless and quick. Everyone in the main party was pretty much together in the growing darkness. We didn't need headlamps and by the time we reached the TH the fog had rolled in.
Everyone loaded up and many headed for the watering hole down in North Bend. I had a terrific time.
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WxMan Member
Joined: 18 Jul 2008 Posts: 30 | TRs | Pics Location: Verde Lake |
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WxMan
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Fri Jul 24, 2009 1:57 pm
(Brush*Bugs / Brews)^TNAB = Silver(Tinkham/Abiel) Peak(s)
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"Nature is orderly. That which appears to be chaotic in nature is only a more complex kind of order." -- Snyder
WxMan= 'Weatherman' for those unaware
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zephyr aka friendly hiker
Joined: 21 Jun 2009 Posts: 3370 | TRs | Pics Location: West Seattle |
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zephyr
aka friendly hiker
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Fri Jul 24, 2009 2:31 pm
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Thanks, WxMan for your kind words and the added photos. I enjoyed our conversation and getting to meet you.
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Malachai Constant Member
Joined: 13 Jan 2002 Posts: 16094 | TRs | Pics Location: Back Again Like A Bad Penny |
Still in recovery mode Decieded to leave early and try for the Trifecta. Uneventful ride to pass. The road to Windy Pass was bumpy but I have seen worse on way I saw EWB parking and offered him a ride to top but he wanted more exercise. As I parked saw Mountainsun leaving and he said he was trying for the 3 peaks also. The trail was in good shape with out too many bugs. The sun began shining. I quickly made my way to the turnoff.
At the top of the rdge I set off for Tinkham. If you are indefinite about the route it is easy to follow, just keep the watershed signs to your right and ascend the ridge. The route becomes class 3 dirt in places. A few side trails lead to cliff views which are impressive. At the top I ran into Mountainsun again and signed the register. I did not take pix so I hope he did. Next stop Abiel.
I went the same route down as I went up with onleslightly sketchy drop in the trees. At the junction I headed for the Silver route and at the saddle headed SSW tothe top of a slight rise where I picked up the path to Abiel. You have to avid dropping into the steep gully. I ascended the East Ridge of Abiel Class 2-low3. Looked for a register but could not see it on the wooded summits. Took a couple pix and saw the first arrivals on Silver.
Silver from Abiel Silver from Abiel Kaleetan and Chair
Put on he headlight near the bottom of the trail when fog was coming in. Ran into a few diehards at the Pourhouse and went back to deck repair this morning.
I then headed back to Silver but ended up too high and had to bushwack down the trees. Started up Silver and saw TNAB coming down at the top of the talus switchbacks and highfived most of the party. I was just planning to turn aroud at the snow. Ran into EWB who asked if I wanted company said yes and headed back up dropping my pack. I headed directly up foregoing the chossy path. Once on top took a few pix.
North from Silver Summit Abiel from Silver Tinkham from Silver
On the way down notice the sun stetting so took a few more.
"You do not laugh when you look at the mountains, or when you look at the sea." Lafcadio Hearn
"You do not laugh when you look at the mountains, or when you look at the sea." Lafcadio Hearn
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gone Member
Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 1051 | TRs | Pics
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gone
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Fri Jul 24, 2009 3:43 pm
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Very nice report, Zephyr! You really captured the varied times, routes, and activities that eventually led everyone to the summit!
Like WxMan, I reached the PCT above Mirror Lake from Twin Lakes via the Cold Creek trail. It proved to be a nice, but long climb up on a trail that could use a little more traffic, or a chainsaw. Devil's Club and other pointy nasties preyed on my sensitive gams for most of the way, while mozzies and horseflies whispered not so sweet things in my ears. At the PCT I made a right and found the way much easier, and even a little breezier, reducing the bug count a bit.
Silver Peak Emerges Devil's Club
I soon ran into Recon and friend Susan, who'd missed the Silver Peak cairn and joined me to return to it. Before reaching it, though, we ran into Magnum and Craig, who had, but weren't yet ready to believe, that they'd also missed the Silver cairn. Some quick map analysis and smooth talk got us turned around and headed back the way we'd come and nearly up an un-cairned boot path near a creek crossing before my GPS-fu proved too strong and led me on down the PCT in my original direction to the official turn. There I grabbed a snack, more DEET, and started up. I was quickly overtaken by Joe and Ryan, and shortly thereafter by Magnum, Craig, Susan, and Recon, who bushwhacked their way up from, well, somewhere.
PCT Tarn
The gang soon spread out by gait, reached the ridge, and spread out again by missed turns and returns. At one point, while traversing round the ridge bump separating me from Abiel, I witnessed something come crashing out of the brush and small trees above me, growling viciously and making a terrible racket, and as it rose to its hind legs to stampede down the hill toward me, and my heart-rate monitor began beeping wildly, and I prepared to shout "Bear!" and run for my life, I noticed it was wearing a backpack and it answered to Mtnsun. Phew!
After reaching the rocks and starting up the switchbacks, I was caught and passed again by, well, everyone who'd already passed me, plus WxMan. The open ridge was beautiful, lots of flowers, plenty of wind to abate the bugs, and an easy trail to follow.
TNAB Ascending WxMan Ascending TNAB on Silver Peak Life
There was some very light scrambling on the last pitch to the Silver Peak summit, and then views, views, and more views of roiling clouds, endless peaks, and a gorgeous setting sun. I am most grateful to the whole gang for waiting that last few minutes so that I could make the summit shot, and a special "Thanks!" to Magnum for risking his life to get the shot a second time!
Windy Pass Clouds Rampart Clouds Sunset Clouds
After running into MC during the descent, I turned and joined him back to the last pitch, where I hung at the bottom taking pictures, including one of him tagging his fourth peak of the day. (He and Mtnsun separately cranked all of the local peaks before ending on Silver - amazing!)
This worked out well as the sunset kept getting better and better as the evening wore on.
Sunset Colors Sunset Last Colors
After lots of picture taking, we made our way back to the PCT, put on lights, descended into a really interesting fog, and eventually popped out into the parking lot. There I met a group of tryNABers, Jeff (on his second TNAB) and friends Nicole and Rowan, who'd missed the group and PCT turn and wound up on the north ridges of Silver where they watched the sunset and returned, apparently still satisfied with their TNAB-less evening. They did promise to come back and try TNAB again, though.
From there I continued on down the road to the intersection with the Mt Catherine trail, which I followed back down to the Twin Lakes, and then out to the car via Cold Creek. All told, the loop with Silver Peak thrown in (and missing the Mt Catherine trail turn off - doh!) amounted to about 10 miles and 3,300' gain. Unfortunately, the longer loop left me late to the Pour House, where I found only Larry and Go Jo left in the parking lot heading out. Luckily for me they paused to chat a bit, which put a perfect cap on a fine evening.
Well done, TNAB! See you next week!
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Recon Guest
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Recon
Guest
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Fri Jul 24, 2009 7:22 pm
Here is my Silver piece.
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This was a TNAB hike up Silver Peak. A number of hikers also tagged Tinkham and Abiel. Some found the path straight forward, others including me found some cross country action back and forth and up and down necessary to finally re-join the climbers path up. Bugs were a bother, it was warm mostly, but as we know it can breeze and cool at any time! Nice hike all around.
Parking for Silver Along the PCT The Tooth is in the center of the frame. Silver Peak Magnum I don't know which view this is, do you? Look off to Seattle under the clouds. Dueling Snaps Susan in Clouds Bob on Silver Kaleetan to Kendall Snoqualmie Red and Kendall on Left
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zephyr aka friendly hiker
Joined: 21 Jun 2009 Posts: 3370 | TRs | Pics Location: West Seattle |
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zephyr
aka friendly hiker
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Fri Jul 24, 2009 9:53 pm
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Man! I had no idea there was so much chaos down there on the lower slopes last night.
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huron Member
Joined: 13 Sep 2004 Posts: 1038 | TRs | Pics
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huron
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Fri Jul 24, 2009 10:01 pm
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Not enough photos on here, so here's the summit shot.
Silver Mountain 5,605'
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Magellan Brutally Handsome
Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 13116 | TRs | Pics Location: Inexorable descent |
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Magellan
Brutally Handsome
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Fri Jul 24, 2009 10:05 pm
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Helluvan effort by all involved. I have only found the 'path' to Abiel lacking in definition. I'm glad all those having challenges quickly resolved them.
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Tazz Member
Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 7902 | TRs | Pics
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Tazz
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Fri Jul 24, 2009 10:26 pm
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kick ass group this time!! good stuff and pics!! nice....
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phillyjon Member
Joined: 15 Jul 2004 Posts: 383 | TRs | Pics Location: White Center |
Nice gone, dudes. And thanx for the description to Tinkham, MC. Although, class 3 anything and I'm not goin'.
"No matter how high one sits upon a pedestal, one still sits upon his arse." Ben Franklin
"No matter how high one sits upon a pedestal, one still sits upon his arse." Ben Franklin
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mntsun Wunderer
Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 206 | TRs | Pics Location: Squaresville |
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mntsun
Wunderer
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Sat Jul 25, 2009 8:54 am
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Being on hiatus for a couple weeks, I tried to give myself a lot of extra time for the slam but logistics kept me from starting up the PCT until Malachi arrived (4:40). From past reports, I imagined a spirited game of tag the peaks with alpine calls to one another from the various summits.
Leaving the PCT required route finding, double checking cairns and sometimes taking paths that went nowhere. I thought W Tinkham was the actual summit so was chagrined when I found a summit register on the return to E Tinkham, where I met up with Malachi. Tinkham and Abiel have more or less defined steep ugly climbers trails which I would occasionally lose (can't see your feet trail) that at least start off well defined off main sub-trail.
Tinkham E from Tinkham W Tinham W from Tinkham E Silver from Tinham W
Abiel had a couple low class 3 areas but were welcomed over the steep krumhultz 'schacking and sliding. There were no hypothesized summit calls ("E Tinham", "W Tinkham", "E Tinham", Abiel", "Silver", "DrScott", "Rocky", "ugh"). My return to the Silver sub trail was a bit thrashy, where I apparently scared ewb.
Tinham E from Abiel Tinkham W E from Silver
The foggy darkness enhanced the road's charm on the way out, very mysterious. Then to Pourhouse where I was so wrapped up in getting to sleep I forgot to say goodnight to everyone.
Fun night! (scratch, scratch, scratch)
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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 Jul 26, 2009 12:43 pm
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In the process of regaining the muscles & the confidence that are key to TNAB success a few of us headed out for a little TNAB Lite on Thursday night.
getting started
We even spotted other TNABers avoiding the heat higher up the pass. Glad to see both of your pooches back on trail Nordic.
Nordic carries the snow with him
While the low hanging clouds made for an interesting sky, they shielded our view from the Ledges of the peaks where TNAB was playing.
can't quite see Silver Mt 'summit shot'
Looks like we had half the mosquitoes and a third of the peaks, but it was just as 'filling'
finally out hiking on a Thursday Ladies of TNAB Lite this is as close to the edge as she gets Victoria's first trip to the Ledge
It was a fantastic evening to hike and an even better one to socialize with friends at the pub.
Rinsing the salt from my face in the Pourhouse washroom brought back memories of the 2008 season.
It's a step back in the right direction, thanks for the great company ladies!
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seattlehikertoo Member
Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Posts: 582 | TRs | Pics Location: Finding an alternative to Mailbox Pk |
Very sorry to have missed this one. Jo, again, it's good to see you hiking again.
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gone Member
Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 1051 | TRs | Pics
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gone
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Sun Jul 26, 2009 6:51 pm
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Nice work, Go Jo, but where's that new hat?!
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