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Sadie's Driver Sadie's Driver
Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 1763 | TRs | Pics Location: Welcome Pass |
Well, I honestly don't know how many snowmobiles fit into Park Butte Lookout, but there must have been 150 snowmobiles on the road that leads to the Park Butte lookout trailhead! This is the third time in the past three weekends that I have visited the far reaches of the North Cascades - same with David (Opus) - but we decided that the third time was the charm! Last weekend we had "locational issues." That is, we had difficulty hooking up with our group, thereby causing us to have "destinational issues" - meaning, that we didn't really get to where we wanted to - but it was fun, none-the-less. And then, the weekend before (Mt. Ann/Artist Point) we again had "destinational" failure and didn't achieve our original goal. So, today, yes today, we were going to succeed! Luckily, friends are (somewhat) tolerant and understanding, so Jim K, Elle, Barb E and Kolleen and Bob (Trail Pair) were willing to give us a second chance! (Trail Pair brought alpine guide dogs Luis and Lupe to ensure we reached our goal!) Well, all started out good - the two cars of intrepid NW Hikers converged at the proper location about 8:30 a.m. on the Baker Lake Road off of Rt. 20. We headed up toward the Park Butte Lookout trailhead, not sure how far we could make it before hitting snow. Well, snow wasn't the problem. It was the nearly 100 trucks with sleds carrying snowmobiles that would stimy us! Oh no! We got stuck behind trucks maneuvering to off-load their rigs. We witnessed one guy skillfully back up his truck for about a half-mile (slowly!) with trailer up this narrow road and park the thing to let us by. But we didn't get far - because in another 100' was the end of the road for wheeled vehicles! This was about 1 mile from the trailhead (actually, there was snow on the road, but it would certainly have been easy enough to drive to the summer trailhead). So, we needed to call it good at this point and turn around and find a place to park - which we did. But all of this fooling around meant that we didn't get started until about 10:00 a.m. - even though we arrived closer to 9:00 a.m. But the snowmobile folks were quite nice - this was some big event day for the Northwest Glacier Cruiser group - great, wouldn't you know that we would pick the same day to be in the same place! Oh well, we were hopeful that they would be heading more toward Baker and the Railroad grade, rather than the lookout. Off we headed toward the trailhead.End of the road for wheeled vehicles
The day was spectacular! Even along the road walk we got some great views on this cloudless day!A glorious day to be out
On the road we had to deal with the constant snowmobile traffic - something that was driving Gus and Izzy crazy! We kept them on-leash until we reached the trees.Izzy expressing her dislike of snowmobiles
As we walked along, we ran into a couple of guys who said they were going to summit Baker today! We thought they had a bit of a late start - but lo' and behold, we would see them in a snow cat coming out as we returned to our cars. Indeed, they had summited Baker - of course, getting a ride via snowmobile up to 9000' helps quite a bit! Anyway, before long we were at the summer trailhead - and were amazed at the relatively low snow level.Unburied biffs
It was about 10:30 a.m. and already it was time to shed clothing. In fact, some of us figured it was more like late spring - rather than late winter!Jim getting down with flesh Bob showing some skin
Even the driver removed the legs of her pants - and had short sleeves! Off we headed, on the summer trail that crosses a footbridge over the creek.Barb crossing creek
We became a little route-challenged - Barb and Elle seemed pretty sure about where we needed to go and waited patiently.Barb and Elle and Big "B" behind
As we headed N/NW, we ran across the snowmobile meeting place - quite the event.The convergence of noise! Can you say "PARTY!"
We could see Baker ahead, but we knew we had to cross the creek and head through the trees where the summer trail switchbacks up to an upper meadow. One thing we did notices was the incredible "scarring" on the south flank of Baker from all of the snowmobile tracks - quite the major highway running up and down the mountain.
We were still just "booting it" at this point, because the snow was relatively firm. Once we got into the trees higher up, snowshoes seemed to help with traction and avoiding tree wells. We would keep them on the rest of the way.Barb climbing out of the creek Snack break as we emerge from the trees (Elle and Izzy) Barb and Elle scoping out our route As we leave the trees, Baker in view Trail Pair through the meadows
It appears that Jim K is relinquishing his pointing duties to protege Opus.David instructing Jim on proper pointing pose
It was here that we got our first glimpse of the lookout ahead - not all that far as the crow flies, but it would be a steady 1000' up. Elle and I took off for the direct route leading up to the ridge that goes to the lookout. The others, opted for a more gentle route that would lead them past the tarns (that were totally snow covered).Elle with Gus and Izzy heading toward lookout Reaching meadows on our way to the lookout Rest of group below us - a few tracks Lookout getting closer Views from the ridge leading to lookout
Meanwhile, Elle, Gus, Izzy and I were getting closer to the lookout - without a hint of a snowmobile.Our destination nears . . . Looking to the east from the lookout
We arrived at the lookout in 3 hours from our start at the cars, and scouted around the inside while we waited for the others. Before, too long, they joined us.Trail Pair reaching the lookout Barb relaxing after getting to the lookout Inside the lookout
Sadly, our little respite would be disrupted with the arrival of a whole gaggle of snowmobilers - yes, Tom, there were definitely more than 12 folks converging on this poor lookout - however, there were only 11 heartbeats in our group (counting the 4-legged friends). The canine alpine protectors, Luis and Lupe, saved us with loud screeches to ward off the invaders with the noisy vehicles! YEOW, it was loud! In any case, our new-found friends were most accommodating and took our group pic and we took some pics of them.Our gang of seven at the lookout Our new best friends! "Boys" parked below the lookout
We enjoyed a few more moments at the lookout - with more snowshoers showing up (not sure if they were planning to stay overnight or not). The views are absolutely stellar!Wide shot of Twin Sisters and friends The Twin Sisters Loomis across the way from us Glacier from the lookout
We decided it was time to depart and made our way back down the ridge.On the ridge below the lookout as we're leaving Our best new friends along the ridge to the lookout
As we were leaving, a very, very low-flying helicopter zoomed by us at the lookout and headed up the slope of Baker - we lost sight of it and aren't quite sure where it was headed and why. Someone also said that there was an Air Force jet buzzing the top of Baker as well. Just a busy, busy day on the ol' mountain.
We got in a few glissades on the way down (thank you Jim for setting the path for me). It's a bit brisk scooting down a slope when you're wearing shorts! The snow had softened considerably - some of us decided to bag our snowshoes for booting it in the trees - but, before long, micro spikes were applied, helping us negotiate the steep slope back to the creek.David climbing out of creek crossing I should have given Gus the other half of that burrito at lunch! Trail Pair crossing the creek
The snowmobile party had been dismantled and they were on their way out. We were still seeing folks heading in toward the lookout - so, likely someone would be staying overnight. It would have been lovely.
We got back to the summer trailhead parking lotSnow stopped accumulating just in time!
and made our way down the road and back to our cars. There were hardly any trucks/trailers left. Stats for the day: 2400' or so of gain; 8 - 9 miles roundtrip; 3 hours up; about 2 hours down. An absolutely fabulous day in a gorgeous location! Great way to spend 12 hours with some special friends!
Four-paw buddy lets me tag along!
Four-paw buddy lets me tag along!
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Hulksmash Cleaning up.
Joined: 20 Apr 2008 Posts: 7113 | TRs | Pics Location: Arlington |
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Hulksmash
Cleaning up.
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Sat Mar 06, 2010 10:51 pm
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With all that snow machine traffic...postholeing should have been minimal.
"Bears couldn't care less about us....we smell bad and don't taste too good. Bugs on the other hand see us as vending machines." - WetDog
Albuterol! it's the 11th essential
"Bears couldn't care less about us....we smell bad and don't taste too good. Bugs on the other hand see us as vending machines." - WetDog
Albuterol! it's the 11th essential
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TrailPair Member
Joined: 17 Apr 2005 Posts: 1699 | TRs | Pics
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What a beautiful day to be at Mt. Baker! We haven't sorted through Bob's photos yet, but here are a few of mine. We will add more later.
Barb and Suzanne, Rocky Creek Steep climb in the forest Black Buttes, Morovitz Meadow Baker from Morovitz Meadow 1 label Barb and Bob the closer dots, Suzanne and Elle the tinier dots. View south. Park Butte Lookout Bob and David being delayed by the scenery David and Barb Bob and Luis, Baker summit looking so close!
This thing called work is interfering with my play
This thing called work is interfering with my play
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Jim Dockery Member
Joined: 12 Sep 2007 Posts: 3092 | TRs | Pics Location: Lake Stevens |
Thanks for reminding me why I don't go there until the snow melts back so the snomos can't get going.
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Trail Angel Member
Joined: 21 Aug 2007 Posts: 611 | TRs | Pics Location: Wallowas!! |
When I did the glacier monitoring trip this summer with Peltoms we found pieces of snow mobiles alll over the glacier.
I guess he does every year.
And lots of beer cans. lots.
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Hulksmash Cleaning up.
Joined: 20 Apr 2008 Posts: 7113 | TRs | Pics Location: Arlington |
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Hulksmash
Cleaning up.
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Sun Mar 07, 2010 9:30 am
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"Bears couldn't care less about us....we smell bad and don't taste too good. Bugs on the other hand see us as vending machines." - WetDog
Albuterol! it's the 11th essential
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TrailPair Member
Joined: 17 Apr 2005 Posts: 1699 | TRs | Pics
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Here are Bob's pictures:
Crossing Sulpher Creek, near the TH Crossing Rocky Creek Barb assisting K and Lupe, Rocky Creek Jim K, K, David and Barb E. Admiring the Black Buttes Barb E Almost to the lookout Reflections David, Barb and Elle
This thing called work is interfering with my play
This thing called work is interfering with my play
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BarbE Member
Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Posts: 1153 | TRs | Pics
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BarbE
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Sun Mar 07, 2010 12:43 pm
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Sharing a stunning winter wonderland with a "few" (possible 50-100) exuberant and rather noisy folks was a new wilderness experience for me.
Was it terrible? Nope, not at all!
Watching the snowmobilers do their stunts was pretty darn entertaining.
If only I could have hitched a ride to the top of Baker
A few more pics.
the timid, and the.. ...fearless first views the team heads up snowmobile & jet tracks Elle & SD heading for the top Freeway to the summit painterly snowmobile patterns Glacier Peak from lookout snowmobile action @ Park Butte OK views Jim & Elle @ Park Butte party @ Park Butte tough boys... ... and tough girls Opus admiring untracked snow Glissade meister Jim K SD glissade down we go my shadow Trail Pair, Opus & Gus
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ragman and rodman Member
Joined: 28 Apr 2005 Posts: 1219 | TRs | Pics Location: http://rgervin.com/ |
Is it really fair to be short-roped to the summit?
I'm calling for an "elevation gain review board".
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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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aywolfpac Member
Joined: 27 Jan 2008 Posts: 1286 | TRs | Pics Location: Burlington, WA |
BarbE wrote: | painterly snowmobile patterns |
I really like this one.
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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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Sun Mar 07, 2010 7:32 pm
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Spotly Member
Joined: 06 Jan 2004 Posts: 3723 | TRs | Pics Location: Spokane Valley |
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Spotly
Member
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Sun Mar 07, 2010 7:39 pm
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aywolfpac wrote: | BarbE wrote: | painterly snowmobile patterns |
I really like this one. |
Me too!
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Highwalker's Daughter Member
Joined: 12 Aug 2006 Posts: 1575 | TRs | Pics Location: Bothell, WA |
Timely report - hoping to get up there next Saturday. Looks like the Rock Creek crossing won't be a big problem based on your pictures, but tons of snowmobilers isn't too appealing. However, I've never been to the lookout in the winter and really want to see it that way so I guess I'll persevere.
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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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Sun Mar 07, 2010 9:00 pm
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