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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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Fri Feb 26, 2010 2:07 am
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Date: February 20-21
Destination: Stetattle Ridge, Sourdough Mtn (NCNP)
Party: Matt, GeoTom, Schmidt AltiBabe, Yukon222, Yana
Five of us decided to camp overnight high up on Stetattle Ridge.
The results confirmed that Stetattle Ridge is perhaps the premier view ridge for the North Cascades, with its broad crest providing panoramic views that just keep getting higher and better the farther you go.
And when you can camp high on such a ridge on a clear windless night and spend hours watching the sunset and sunrise light up the surrounding peaks, it’s difficult to get any better.
Background on Stetattle Ridge
Feel free to bypass this section if you just want to skip ahead to the pretty pictures.
First let’s clarify some nomenclature.
To get Stetattle Ridge, you start out on the Sourdough Mountain Lookout trail. But the trail is NOT on Sourdough Mountain, and it does NOT go to Sourdough’s summit. The trail begins on Stetattle Ridge, and only later traverses over to Sourdough’s lookout, which is not on the summit. So there’s no reason to go to Sourdough. Instead, continue up Stetattle Ridge, which runs much further and higher than Sourdough anyway.
Now let’s look at some topography, and a daunting lesson in cumulative elevation gain.
The trailhead is at 890 feet. Circa 1150 feet, you’ll pass a sign that says you’ll be safe from flooding if Ross Dam collapses. Circa 4100 feet, near the Park Boundary marker, the trail turns to head for Sourdough, but going off trail uphill a steep couple hundred feet puts one on the crest of Stetattle Ridge. From there it’s an easy ridge run to the only challenging spot, a narrow dip in the ridge at 5700. Then it’s more easy ridge walking to Lake 5916, which is also the junction between Stetattle & Sourdough peaks. (If you want Sourdough’s summit (6107), it’s only half a mile away and 200 feet higher from here.)
From here, Stetattle ridge continues another 4.5 miles onward, with no less than ten marked elevation points on the map. Was it some surveyor’s graduation project, or what?
In between every high point are multiple lower points, so the cumulative elevation gain adds up rapidly. But it’s such a seductive easy rolling crest, that each point just tempts one onward to the next, with views getting better at every step.
The most noteworthy points along the way are:
- Lake 5916 (junction between Stetattle & Sourdough), 5000 gain, 100 loss, 3.7 miles.
- Point 6010 (the first 360 degree viewpoint), gain 200, cumulative gain 5200. 4.0 miles.
- Point 6308 (best viewpoint for day hikes), gain 300, cumulative total 5500, 4.7 miles.
- Point 6495 (Stetattle’s south summit), lose 200, gain 400, cumulative total 5900, 5.5 miles.
- Point 6728 (Stetattle’s main summit), lose 660, gain 900, cumulative total 6800, 6.9 miles.
- Point 6154 (north end of the ridge), lose 800, gain 200, cumulative total 7000, 8.2 miles.
Stetattle Ridge Map
Our group camped on Point 6495, and made side trips to Point 6728 plus Sourdough’s summit.
(I also made another side trip, but I’ll explain that later.)
Sourdough Trial & Stetattle Ridge up to Point 6010
We found the trailhead covered by fencing debris from the former Diablo town pool. The smoothly graded trail made for easy elevation gain up to the snow line & park boundary, both about 4100 feet. Through the mossy tree trunks, we were tantalized by views of the Colonial group behind us and the east face of Davis across Stetattle Creek. Leaving the trail, we followed boot tracks up to the ridge crest, then snowshoe tracks on the crest. The narrow cut had enough snow to make for easy steps.
fencing dumped precisely on trailhead “Safe From Flooding” Tracks just before the narrow cut At the ridge junction, with Sourdough Mtn behind
Break on Point 6010
At Point 6010, we took a longer break to enjoy the views that were now open in all directions. Overhead, the sky had only a single tiny cloud, positioned to shade our exact spot during most of the break, while everything else was in sunlight.
Shadow for break on Point 6010 Sunlight for break on Point 6010
Point 6010 to Point 6308
Sourdough Lake Ascending toward Point 6308
Between 6308 & 6495
At Point 6308, we decided that we would make our camp at Point 6495.
The west side of the ridge was easy slopes, but the east side had become corniced cliffs.
Ascending the side of one of the bumps Near the 6308/6495 low point. Looking east at Jack along the way My shadow backpacking
Point 6495 (Stetattle Ridge South Summit)
Point 6495 provided a huge flat expanse for a camp with territorial views.
A single rock outcrop marked a safe high spot to stand near the eastern cornices.
The last few rises (& cornices) Yana conquers the summit More of the party approaching Point 6495 Everyone’s here now
Sunset & Evening at Camp
We spent the last hours of the day watching the evening turn to a glowing sunset on the surrounding peaks.
Late light on Jack & Crater Does this shadow make my butt look too big? (Actually it’s my tent’s shadow) Shadows moving toward the edge Long-legged sunset shadow
Camp near sunset:
Looking west at our camp as sunset nears (with Triumph, Glee, & Pickets) Looking east at our camp as sunset nears (with Jack & Crater)
Alpenglow:
Watching the alpenglow develop Alpenglow on Jack & Crater 5 labels Alpenglow on our ridge, Ruby, Logan & Buckner
Yana dug a walled cooking area into the snow for all of us to share, dubbed Fortress Radenska.
We kept three stoves going making hot water bottles to warm us through the clear cold night.
Evening in Fortress Radenska Night in Fortress Radenska
Sunrise & Morning at Camp
We all arose before dawn to watch the sunrise make its own artwork of the mountains.
As the earth rotated us upward into the day, a rainbow band of color descended down the sky and onto the peaks.
Sunrise band above the horizon Sunrise touches the summits Sunrise descending down the peaks
The peaks became a contrast of light and shadow.
Fury glowing, Elephant Butte in shadow Pickets glowing, Azure Lake in shadow
The photographers kept busy as sunrise came down to us.
Everyone out photographing the sunrise Sastrugi, Jack, Crater & Sol Sunrise hits our camp Alpenglow on the cornices below our camp
Our camp shone bright in the morning light.
Fortress Radenska with Thornton & Triumph Camp, Triumph, Glee, & Pickets
And the glow spread further across the peaks.
Full alpenglow on SE Fury, Fury, & Elephant Full alpenglow on Luna & Stetattle Summit
The Elephant at the End of the Ridge
Across from the far end of Stetattle Ridge, Elephant Butte appeared to be in perfect condition for a winter ascent. All day yesterday I debated it. In this morning’s light, I decided to go ahead. I skipped breakfast, grabbed the pack that I already had prepared, and hurried out of camp.
Stetattle Ridge Point 6728
To get to near the end of the ridge, I first had to climb almost over the top of Point 6728, Stetattle’s main summit. That meant dropping about 450 feet, crossing several smaller bumps, and ascending back up to about 6600 feet.
Elephant on the left and Stetattle summit on the right The path up to Point 6728 My shadow pointing toward my goal for the day Rime near the top of Point 6728
Ahead and west of me, the early morning light brought sharp definition to the peaks.
Behind me, the eastern cliffs of Stetattle Ridge stood out in corniced crests and fluted flanks.
East Face of Davis Peak Azure Lake & Southern Pickets Southern Pickets, Elephant, & Luna Fluting on the east face of Stetattle Ridge
Back on Point 6495 (1.4 miles distant), the silhouettes of my companions and our camp were just barely visible.
Since the rest of my Elephant Butte trip was separate from the group, it's posted in the separate report "Stuck a Fork in the Orphan Pachyderm"
Hopefully, my companions will post the rest of their story soon in this thread.
“As beacons mountains burned at evening.” J.R.R. Tolkien
“As beacons mountains burned at evening.” J.R.R. Tolkien
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puzzlr Mid Fork Rocks
Joined: 13 Feb 2007 Posts: 7220 | TRs | Pics Location: Stuck in the middle |
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puzzlr
Mid Fork Rocks
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Fri Feb 26, 2010 2:34 am
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Over the top trip and TR as usual Matt! The return of AltiBabe!
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Tigerotor77W Member
Joined: 16 May 2009 Posts: 776 | TRs | Pics Location: Charleston, SC |
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DIYSteve seeking hygge
Joined: 06 Mar 2007 Posts: 12655 | TRs | Pics Location: here now |
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DIYSteve
seeking hygge
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Fri Feb 26, 2010 9:36 am
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Great TR and pics, Matt. Looks like a fun party. Stetattle Ridge is indeed a special place, one of the few overnight trips that feels like being wayyyyyy back in there.
ETA: in late season, one can take the trail all the way to Sourdough Camp (just short of SD Creek) and ascend up vegetated class 1-2 terrain (one short step of class 3) to hit lower Steattle Ridge ENE of Jeanita Lake, then follow Matt's route N-ward from there.
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RokIzGud Cozza Frenzy
Joined: 08 Feb 2010 Posts: 1049 | TRs | Pics
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RokIzGud
Cozza Frenzy
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Fri Feb 26, 2010 9:43 am
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Right on! Awesome pictures. Rime ice is the best!
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silence Member
Joined: 25 Apr 2005 Posts: 4420 | TRs | Pics
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silence
Member
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Fri Feb 26, 2010 10:01 am
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nice photos matt .. love the b&w -- great job
PHOTOS
FILMS
Keep a good head and always carry a light bulb. – Bob Dylan
PHOTOS
FILMS
Keep a good head and always carry a light bulb. – Bob Dylan
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yukon222 Member
Joined: 12 Mar 2007 Posts: 1893 | TRs | Pics
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yukon222
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Fri Feb 26, 2010 10:25 am
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A very, very enjoyable trip. Nice to see the few peaks I've climbed in the area from this excellent vantage point.
DSD_7710 - Pointy Pyramid Peak DSD_7713 - Moving quickly (still early morning and packs feel somewhat light) DSD_7742 - Magical McMillian Spires 2 labels DSD_7767 - Many pauses to gaze at the views DSD_7770 - Easy to smile with warm sunshine and commanding views in all directions DSD_7774 - AltiBabe turns her back on Jack Mtn. For now. :-) DSD_7784 - Sastrugi swirls DSD_7786 - Tiny people approach giant wind carved snow channel DSD_7801 - Climb and climb some more... DSD_7803 - ... just a little bit further to camp and see... DSD_7806 - ... ah, alpenglow on Jack Mountain DSD_7807 - the Snowfield group beds down for the night Pano_DSD_7815 - Snowfield and friends DSD_7816 - Last of the direct sunlight DSD_7820 - Reward in views for the long ascent with winter packs DSD_7824 - Ripsaw Ridge DSD_7827 - Jack Mountain fading from view DSD_7829 - "I'd rather be winter camping at 6500' than in the plane overhead." DSD_7830 - Plane races to catch the setting sun 1 label DSD_7833 - Fleeting view of Mercury DSD_7836 - Matt is pleased with Nature's show DSD_7837 - pre dawn colors and McMillian Spires DSD_7843 - tip touching the light DSD_7850 - worth every frozen finger tip 5 labels Pano_DSD_7851 - McMillian to Luna DSD_7858 - camping at the top of the world (well, not quite!) DSD_7862 - By dawn's early light DSD_7874 - Snowfield, Pyramid and Pinnacle Stetattle Ridge DSD_7892 - Azure Lake hidden until late summer DSD_7894 - so many places to go, so little time DSD_7895 - Tasty Triumph (and Bacon Peak behind) DSD_7897 - Glee(fully) enjoying the dawn DSD_7903 - Azure Lake basin beneath McMillian Spires DSD_7905 - untouched beauty DSD_7909 - So much scenery creates endless photo ops DSD_7911 - tempting to just sit down and soak in the snowscape DSD_7913 - edging our way across the face DSD_7914 - wind carving its' way thru the ridge DSD_7922 - AltiBabe and McMillian Spires DSD_7928 - Traversing beneath another steep ridgeline DSD_7938 - Always nice to see the route to your summit DSD_7940 - Lots of rollercoaster ups and downs as we roamed the ridgeline DSD_7943 - Heading for North Stetattle DSD_7948 - Darkness comes early to part of the McMillian Spires DSD_7954 - Heavy winter coating DSD_7960 - Not many ways thru these mountains DSD_7961 - Despair but certainly none today DSD_7978 - North Stetattle Ridge summit DSD_7986 - Yana enjoys GeoTom's sudden descent DSD_7998 - Moon peeks over Stetattle Ridge DSD_8008 - Fortunately, a way around the barrier by going hard right Pano_DSD_8011 - Mammoth ridge and Tiny Tom DSD_8014 - another bump in the ridge DSD_8017 - Climb back to camp DSD_8024 - Sleeping Sourdough Lake DSD_8028 - Jogging past Jack Mtn DSD_8032 - Sourdough Mountain summiteers
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RichP Member
Joined: 13 Jul 2006 Posts: 5633 | TRs | Pics Location: here |
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RichP
Member
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Fri Feb 26, 2010 11:08 am
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This must be the best winter ever for spectacular trips. Too bad I chose to be away this year .
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BarbE Member
Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Posts: 1153 | TRs | Pics
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BarbE
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Fri Feb 26, 2010 12:41 pm
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Awesome scenery and pictures!
Impressive elevation gain.
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Obi Tony Kenobi Waterfall Crazy!
Joined: 25 Jun 2007 Posts: 1899 | TRs | Pics Location: Marysville, WA |
Wow that is beautiful. I may need to get myself to try this winter backpacking stuff! Great job you guys!
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Hikingqueen Member
Joined: 12 Nov 2007 Posts: 2946 | TRs | Pics
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Looks pretty Epic!
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Jim Dockery Member
Joined: 12 Sep 2007 Posts: 3092 | TRs | Pics Location: Lake Stevens |
Great shots, after Josh's TR I was thinking I had to get up there, now it's confirmed. I just wish the pics were bigger to see detail on those incredible mountains!
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DIYSteve seeking hygge
Joined: 06 Mar 2007 Posts: 12655 | TRs | Pics Location: here now |
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DIYSteve
seeking hygge
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Fri Feb 26, 2010 5:11 pm
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Jim, I've been up there late season -- it's one of my favorite overnights in the NC's* -- and I've long intended to do an early spring tour up there. The access route is pretty much deadass S aspect, but pretty densely treed. A couple weeks of warm spring weather should bring it into ski shape, though one should be prepared for some tree bomb action and grunt ski carry up the trail to 4000' or higher. Once on the ridge, there are oodles of ski run opportunities. The camping opportunities up there are endless.
*I forebore from posting a TR, lest I might popularize the place. But now the word is out.
ETA: Jason Hummel just demonstrated that one need not wait until spring for a ski tour up there.
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yukon222 Member
Joined: 12 Mar 2007 Posts: 1893 | TRs | Pics
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yukon222
Member
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Fri Feb 26, 2010 5:25 pm
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Jim Dockery wrote: | Great shots, after Josh's TR I was thinking I had to get up there, now it's confirmed. I just wish the pics were bigger to see detail on those incredible mountains! |
Jim - Sorry about that. I had been in my Flickr settings a few days ago and adjusted the wrong thing. Should be able to see the larger size versions now.
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GeoTom Member
Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 3215 | TRs | Pics Location: Earth |
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GeoTom
Member
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Fri Feb 26, 2010 7:10 pm
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Thanks for organizing a good trip Matt. I even got to use sunscreen over the weekend.
My full flickr photo set
Here are a few:
Tall trees along the Sourdough trail Matt arrives in camp Yana looks for tent sites Alpenglow Jack Snowfield Peak above the Neve Glacier Tisha and Steve capturing the moment Matt takes another photo Matt hurries to take photos Goodbye Sun! Welcome back Sun McMillan morning Soapy & Tazz bag Pt. 6,495 YanaKing on Point 6,495 Shadowy figures in the foreground Icicle Yana pauses below Point 6,728 Small tree and ice Yana looks for Matt Stetattle in Black & White Snow shapes The Stetattle Four Stetattle Ridge in Black and White (again) More sastrugi on Stetattle Contour lines A little fluting A flock of snags Heading up Sourdough Mountain The Sourdough Mountain Lookout Soapy and Tazz bag a summit tree on Sourdough Mountain Tisha on Sourdough with Stetattle Ridge behind Pyramid and Pinnacle Mountains in early evening light
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