Previous :: Next Topic |
Author |
Message |
Sadie's Driver Sadie's Driver
Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 1763 | TRs | Pics Location: Welcome Pass |
6:00 a.m. at the Everett PUD???? What kind of cruel joke is this on the weekend after Christmas?? Well, we wanted to give ourselves plenty of time and that we did. Matt, Loper (Lisa), Mud Slinger (Bill), Cartman (Eric), Gus and the driver were set for this trip - but at the last minute on Sunday morning, Eric had to bail out because he wasn't feeling well. So, Gus and the driver loaded the three remaining members into the Highlander and off we headed to Marblemount and beyond. The temperature was below freezing in Everett - dropping to 23 degrees in Darrington - but by the time we got to the trailhead, the temperature was at 36 degrees! Downright balmy! Following Opus' report Hidden Lake Peaks from earlier in December, we expected to be stopped by snow at around 2500'. Nope, we could have gone all the way to the summer trailhead. There was snow on the road - but definitely passable. However, we decided that we should probably park at the last switchback, because that would put us closer to a starting point to reach the ridge (at about 3200'). We were on the "trail" by 9:00 a.m.Getting ready to roll (at 3200')
YIKES! The orange flagging we saw wasn't a trail maker - likely a road crew marker, because we literally went straight up! Gaining about 450' as we hit the ridge.Bill as we are heading up Matt heading up steep slope Lisa heading up the steep slope from the road!
Here we stopped for a clothing adjustment, water, snack and a deep breath!Bill and Matt taking a clothing break - Lisa checking the route
We really didn't hit "snow" until about 4300' - and what we did hit was rock hard. So, on came the crampons because this was still a fairly steep climb. We continued on through the trees - we could hear the wind blowing - but we were fairly well protected. Occasionally, we would see evidence of old bootprints - but we pretty much made our own trail. We reached the edge of the trees at about 5300' and views began to appear.First views leaving the trees (looking West) Views looking North More views coming out of the trees
Also, the wind began to pick up - so we stopped to put more clothes on! The snow was pretty wind scoured, so we kept our crampons on - good plan. From here, it's a pretty straight shot to the summit - and what a beautiful day it was - clear, blue skies. We made quick work of this little 4000' day - reaching the summit just a little before Noon.Gus and Lisa - on windy ridge Looking up to summit of Hidden Lake Peak Ohhh - Ahhh The views are spectacular Baker and friends Matt heading up to summit Looking east over Hidden Lake Matt Gus greeting Lisa coming up to the summit of Hidden Lake Peak Gus and Lisa Matt, the Driver and Gus on the summit of Hidden Lake Peak Dec. 26, 2009 Our crew on the summit of Hidden Lake Peak (Eldorado in background) Matt waiting for the perfect summit pic on Hidden Lake Peak Hidden Lake Views and more views Matt coming off of Hidden Lake Peaks Summit of Hidden Lake Peaks Matt descending Hidden Lake Peak Matt downclimbing Hidden Lake Peak Gus and Matt de-summiting Gus in awe of Matt (or: "Aww, he's gonna give me some of that sandwich, isn't he?") Bill, Lisa and Matt heading down after lunch break Bill on the edge
It actually felt pretty warm in the sun - but a bit breezy right on the summit, so we dropped down a little to eat our lunch. We had a bit of a debate about whether to go down to Sibley Pass and rejoin the "summer" trail - which would have been a nice loop - but they immediately lost my vote when they mentioned it would add about an hour to our descent - and would mean a couple miles of road walk!!!! I hate road walks, I hate road walks, etc. So - we opted to make a little side trip going further down the ridge to the north (towards the pass) and then heading back down the way we came up - we decided not to try for the look out - another day perhaps. Matt was opining about possibly staying for sunset - since it would be quite spectacular - but we pretty much assured him that we would be back in Everett by then and would send the rescue folks to retrieve him!
Some more pretty picsFabulous wind sculptures More wind sculptures Matt and Hidden Lake Peak behind Hidden Lake Peak
Bill had spotted a lonely skier who looked to be heading for the look out - and we came across his tracks - but that would be the only other person we would see all day. Once back in the trees, we made quick work of the route down - removing crampons just about where we had put them on earlier,Bill ditching the crampons Lisa gettting ready to lose the crampons Gear change on the way down
and then finding our route marker (which we removed!) for our descent back to the car off of the ridge. OMG! That had to be the steepest slope I have ever been on! Lisa and I pulled out our ice/dirt axes to get down it - the butt slide worked well a time or two, too! We were back down to the car in about 2 1/2 hours, so we made quick work of this little summit! Great day out in the mountains with some fun folks!
Four-paw buddy lets me tag along!
Four-paw buddy lets me tag along!
|
Back to top |
|
|
TrailPair Member
Joined: 17 Apr 2005 Posts: 1699 | TRs | Pics
|
Most excellent day to be out....although, the snow must have been hard and wind scoured.
This thing called work is interfering with my play
This thing called work is interfering with my play
|
Back to top |
|
|
loper Member
Joined: 11 Aug 2007 Posts: 453 | TRs | Pics Location: seeking the sun |
|
loper
Member
|
Mon Dec 28, 2009 7:18 pm
|
|
|
Was a good day in the mountains. Always good to get out with Bill and Matt. Glad to have finally met you Suzanne and Gus the Adorable!
Here are a few of my favorites.
Matt coming down off HLP HLP windscoured snow 1 12_27_09 Sun and Wind Scoured Snow HLP wind scoured snow 2 HLP Suzanne coming down off HLP Gus the adorable Hidden Lake Peak
Stats are something like just under 5 miles and 3800ft of gain by my rough topo analysis.
Lisa
BTW, Suzanne HOT?? I don't remember HOT up there!!!
|
Back to top |
|
|
cartman Member
Joined: 20 Feb 2007 Posts: 2800 | TRs | Pics Location: Fremont |
|
cartman
Member
|
Mon Dec 28, 2009 7:30 pm
|
|
|
Thanks for the pics, I knew it was going to be fantastic up there. Naturally, I was feeling fairly decent by mid-day and wishing I'd gone.
|
Back to top |
|
|
raising3hikers Member
Joined: 21 Sep 2007 Posts: 2344 | TRs | Pics Location: Edmonds, Wa |
Must have been a great day up there. I wish I had thought of going there especially with hardly any snow until 4300'. Sounds like a good idea to park at the last switchback and follow the ridge
|
Back to top |
|
|
Opus Wannabe
Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 3700 | TRs | Pics Location: The big rock candy mountain |
|
Opus
Wannabe
|
Mon Dec 28, 2009 9:07 pm
|
|
|
Awesome! Isn't this winter? Shouldn't there be more snow for your trip nearly three weeks after mine?
|
Back to top |
|
|
Sadie's Driver Sadie's Driver
Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 1763 | TRs | Pics Location: Welcome Pass |
|
Sadie's Driver
Sadie's Driver
|
Mon Dec 28, 2009 9:14 pm
Hot Times on HLP
|
|
|
Four-paw buddy lets me tag along!
|
Back to top |
|
|
twodogdad Member
Joined: 21 Nov 2006 Posts: 846 | TRs | Pics Location: seattle |
Strong year-end run, driver!
Happy New Year,
tdd
|
Back to top |
|
|
BarbE Member
Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Posts: 1153 | TRs | Pics
|
|
BarbE
Member
|
Wed Dec 30, 2009 11:45 am
|
|
|
Sorry I had to miss out on what looked like a perfect year-end trip.
Amazing blue skies, views and wind sculptures!
|
Back to top |
|
|
Sadie's Driver Sadie's Driver
Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 1763 | TRs | Pics Location: Welcome Pass |
Four-paw buddy lets me tag along!
|
Back to top |
|
|
BarbE Member
Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Posts: 1153 | TRs | Pics
|
|
BarbE
Member
|
Wed Dec 30, 2009 12:54 pm
|
|
|
... cookies and great company!
|
Back to top |
|
|
Highwalker's Daughter Member
Joined: 12 Aug 2006 Posts: 1575 | TRs | Pics Location: Bothell, WA |
Looks like an amazingly beautiful winter trip up there - nice way to end 2009!
|
Back to top |
|
|
Matt Tea, Earl Grey, Hot
Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 4307 | TRs | Pics Location: Shoreline |
|
Matt
Tea, Earl Grey, Hot
|
Thu Jan 07, 2010 2:48 am
Hidden Lake Peak via west ridge, 12/27/09
|
|
|
Destination: Hidden Lake Peak 7088 via West Ridge
Date: 12/27/09
Party: Loper, Bill B, Sadie’s Driver (& Gusto), Matt
Here are the details that stood out for me on the trip:
- The road was open remarkably late in the season.
- HLP’s west ridge makes a very direct route to the summit.
- The higher slopes had fine wind-carved sastrugi.
Route info:
We drove to the road’s last (shorter) switchback at 3200 feet. (You could also start directly onto the ridge from the earlier switchbacks at 2700 or 3000 feet.) We hiked up the steep side of the ridge to reach its crest circa 3500, angling somewhat rightward to avoid even steeper terrain. The ridge crest itself made a fine upward path – well-defined, moderately wide, moderately steep, and brush-free. Circa 5500 feet we hit the top of the ridge, where the summer trail traverses perpendicular to our path on its way from the trailhead to the lookout. We went straight up to the true summit on open, wind-scoured slopes.
Hiking up the high slopes:
First view of the peaks (Marble Needle, Eldorado, Sibley Pass, Triad) Suzanne ascending the high slopes My shadow on the wind-carved snow Fresh slab preserved in the wind shadow of a rock outcrop
Arriving at the summit:
Going up the last crest Gus & Suzanne arrive at the summit Shadow of the summit
On the summit:
Suzanne, Lisa, Bill & Gus Matt on Hidden Lake Peak Summit Summit Tea & Eldorado
Summit Views:
Sibley Pass & Backbone Ridge Sibley Pass, Marble Needle Area, Eldorado Eldorado area detail Hidden Lake & Lakelet; Cascade River Valley & Pass; Forbidden, Boston & Sahalke, Johannesburg Hidden Lake (with Johannesburg & Ptarmigan Traverse peaks) Spider, Formidabble, Leconte, Sentinel & Old Guard, Sinister, Dome Looking south to the lookout summit
Starting down (we hiked a bit along the ridge toward Sibley Pass)
My shadow ready to descend to the lunch spot Our shadows hiking away HIking down the wind-carved ridge
Sastrugi:
Shadow photographing sastrugi (with pawprints) Sastrugi with Forbidden, Boston, Cascade Pass & Johannesburg HLP summit Prow Ripples Plates Waves
Back down the ridge:
Moonrise over the shoulder of the peak Walking down the ridge crest
“As beacons mountains burned at evening.” J.R.R. Tolkien
“As beacons mountains burned at evening.” J.R.R. Tolkien
|
Back to top |
|
|
Scrooge Famous Grouse
Joined: 16 Dec 2001 Posts: 6966 | TRs | Pics Location: wishful thinking |
|
Scrooge
Famous Grouse
|
Thu Jan 07, 2010 9:57 am
|
|
|
Something lost behind the ranges. Lost and waiting for you....... Go and find it. Go!
|
Back to top |
|
|
Sadie's Driver Sadie's Driver
Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 1763 | TRs | Pics Location: Welcome Pass |
Four-paw buddy lets me tag along!
|
Back to top |
|
|
|