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Redwic Unlisted Free Agent
Joined: 23 Feb 2009 Posts: 3292 | TRs | Pics Location: Going to the Prom(inence) |
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Redwic
Unlisted Free Agent
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Mon Jul 27, 2009 9:22 am
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Gimpilator planned a hike to Lookout Mountain, located east of Marblemount, on Sunday (July 26). I went along, as did Gimp's friend Raymond, and Robbin, whom we met in June while hiking Mount Jupiter in the Olympic Mountains.
The trail is STEEP, and easy to be underestimated. To help put it into perspective, the trail is approximately 4.7 miles long, ascending 4550' elevation from trailhead to summit. The first 2.8 miles of the trail has approximately 3000' elevation gain, mostly through beautiful thick evergreen forest... definitely a good workout.
We made great time, especially considering that Raymond is not an avid hiker and this was Robbin's first hike in the north/central Cascades (she mainly hikes in the Olympics). We left the trailhead at 9:30 AM, and arrived at the summit at 12:40 PM. Then we took a 1h35m break at the lookout tower. Then it only took us a little less than two hours to get back to the car.
The flies on this trail were HORRIBLE... not the worst I have ever encountered in the Cascades, but pretty close. At least we did not have big mosquito problems. We initially called Gimpilator the "Lord of the Flies", but that honor soon went to Raymond, who had a hilarous (albeit semi-effective) manner in which he swung his arms and trekking poles to swat flies.
The trail is easy to follow. The wildflowers in the upper meadow areas were abundant. The temperature was hot, probably especially with the humidity we could sense. There were a few small patches of snow near the summit, which was nice to fill my hat with to keep cool.
And... surprise, surprise... there is an actual lookout at the top of Lookout. A nice one, at that, with a great view in each direction. Highly recommended!!!
This is a great mountain to see Baker, Shuksan, Eldorado, the Devil Peaks, Whitehorse, Triumph, Hidden Lake Peaks, Snowking, the Pickets, etc.
Signing in... A steep forest hike... The bugs here were HORRIBLE!!! First view of destination... Lookout Mountain Lookout Teebone Ridge (a.k.a. Devil Traverse) Summit Photo View of Baker and Shuksan Looking at summit trail from lookout tower
60 pounds lighter but not 60 points brighter.
60 pounds lighter but not 60 points brighter.
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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 Jul 27, 2009 10:00 am
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The flies weren't biting but they formed a black cloud around you if you stopped. Very annoying. Here is a shot of the lookout on Sunday.
Lookout Mountain Lookout
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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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Mon Jul 27, 2009 1:10 pm
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Sorry to miss this one. Glad you guys had bluebird skies. More pictures please!
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Gimpilator infinity/21M
Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Posts: 1684 | TRs | Pics Location: Edmonds, WA |
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