[wildernessed]

Location : NE of Winthrop, Wa. Access : Chewuck Rd. > FR 37 > FR 39 > Tiffany Springs CG Maps : GTM - Tiffany Mountain Stats : 7.5 mi , 2400' r/t

It looked like the last day of blue skies, sunshine, and warmer temps at elevation before the current area of high pressure broke down so Steve, Lloyd, and I made the drive above Winthrop to the Tiffany Mountain area to do a day hike by Tiffany Lake, up Rock Mountain across to Middle Tiffany then back. I always like going up that way, for many reasons, one being the drive is so scenic it's all most like part of the hike. The skies were blue, it was cool to start, but we had full sun fairly early which was warm. We passed Tiffany Lake which had some areas of thin ice in places and some fish rising, and once beyond the lake we gained some elevation on the trail to get around Rock's SW lower cliffy ridge and headed up it's long, as in section of longness SW slope which was beautifully open and had great views both near and far, the exception being some controlled burning to the SE. Each time you though you were going to come over a high spot and see a summit, no, there was more flattish slope leading higher.

Near the beginning of the Tiffany Lake Trail.

Upper slope of Rock the summmit just beyond the highpoint.

It wasn't the kind of thing you cared about the gentle slope was getting you there in grand style, on a wonderful Fall day. Eventually we were on Rock's summit taking in the views, a long with a small break after which we dropped down the open slopes to the sparsely tree'd saddle and up Middle Tiffany where we had lunch. You could see the basins where the lakes hang in Tiffany Mountains Northface and where Whistler Pass would go up.

Coleman Ridge and Remmel

Amphitheater and Cathedral

Peepsight and Freds

Andrew

Steve hiking from Rock to Middle Tiffany.

Steve and Htt kicking back on Middle Tiffany.

It did become windy and cooler at the summit and you could see clouds coming in far to the West, so we made our way back down and a cross the saddle where it was much warmer and out of the wind, dropping down and intersecting with the Tiffany Lakes trail. We stopped by the lake again on the way out to watch the fish swimming around, then made it back to the TH. It was a really scenic hike on an awesome Fall day, shorter than most, but not as hurried. As always, Thanks for the company and fun Steve and Lloyd.

Tiffany Lake

After a rise in the slope more of Rocks slope.

Awesome views and open country from the slopes of Rock.

Coleman Ridge - Remmel - Amphi - Cathedral

Descending Middle Tiffany towards the open slopes of Rock and down to the trail.

Far East Pasayten and Okanogan NF

Hiking up the long gentle open slope to the summit of Rock Mountain.

Looking back at Tiffany and lake basins in it's face.

Looking towards Coleman Ridge - Remmel - Amphitheater - Cathedral - Apex - Wolframite etc...

Middle Tiffany - Clark - Tiffany Left to Right from Rock

Peaks to the West including Sunrise - Sherman - Craggies - Eightmile

Rock from Middle Tiffany

Sunset - Mcleod - Sunrise - Burgett

Tiffany Lake

Looking North from Rock's summit

[HitTheTrail]

When Rob suggested we grab the remaining clear day before impending snow I was eager, even with a sore foot from my spill on 7FJ. It could not have been nicer Fall weather. This rather low key hike pays off with views as good as you get from much more rigorous hikes. All in all well worth the two and half hour drive north from Wenatchee. Great day, great camaraderie.

Steve & Rob on Rock Mt

Rob on Rock

Rob & HTT on Rock Summit

Brass cap on Middle Tiffany