[RichP]

I've been wanting to visit Big Snow for several years now but was sidetracked while chasing the top 100 highest peaks in the state. Now that that fever has abated, I can pursue some closer goals that had been neglected. Recent reports from chiwakum and alpinelakes also provided some extra motivation. The forecast revealed what may be the last two warm days of the year, so I knew it was time to give it a try. Bruce and I started off on our bikes at about 9:00 a.m. from the Dingford trailhead and rode the 7 miles up the Middle Fork Rd to the giant log and beginning of the route in about 1.5 hours. The road is quite rideable on a bicycle though there are a couple of areas where one must dismount where rocks have washed across it. The route starts at a wide point in the road about 100 feet from the log where there is a fire pit. This is about 1/2 mile from the end of the road. The lower part of the route has been recently brushed out (thank you!) and climbs an old road until you reach a talus field about half-way to Lower Hardscrabble Lake. Here follow the cairns across the talus and look for flagging as the route becomes obscured at this point. We did lose the route after the talus, but picked it up again higher up. Lower Hardscrabble is quite beautiful and the cliffs on the north side of the lake look like something out of Yosemite. We walked around the west side of the lake and looked for the inlet where another route takes one up to Upper Hardscrabble. The beginning of this trail is to the left of the inlet which drains from Upper Hardscrabble and is somewhat hidden in brush but there is a cairn marking it. It was quite hot and we took a break at Upper Hardscrabble before continuing up.

Getting ready to ride the 7 miles to the trailhead.

Just below outlet of Lower Hardscrabble.

Lower hardscrabble Lake and impressive wall.

Lower Hardscrabble Lake.

Looking up from Lower hardscrabble lake to Big Snow

Upper HardScrabble Lake.

Views while ascending to Big Snow

From the outlet of the lake we made our way towards the inlet, staying to the left, and reached a meadow above and more talus which took us up to Big Snow. We spied out a couple of gullies before reaching the correct talus field which is hidden until you are right under it. At the top of the talus field one is greeted with fine views of Gold Lake and the rock and snow that makes this area so special.

Snow and rock on big Snow

We made camp on a sandy bench at about 6000' and decided to wait until the next day to go for the summit as it was 6:00 p.m. and we would be coming down in the dark. The following morning was splendid.

Looking towards summit from camp

View from near camp at about 6000'

Big Snow summit from camp

Summit in early morn

Morning views

Early light

On the way to the summit

Still lots of snow on Big Snow

Rock and snow

Granite slabs galore

Summit of Big Snow

Rocks near summit

At the summit we found at least 4 nice bivy spots. Had we known this, we we would have taken our gear up for the night.

Bivy spot

Bivy spot

There is a crucifix on top just like on some peaks in South America.

Summit

Summit cross

The views were grand and we stayed for a few hours to explore the meadows below the south side of the mountain.

Summit ridge of Big Snow

Looking down to Hester Lake and Mt Price

The register has been here for over 15 years and has one more blank page.

Dropping down south side

Exploring south side of Big Snow

Hester Lake below

meadow below summit

Below summit on south side

Balancing rock

Alpine conifers

High meadow on south side of Big Snow

Cliffs near summit

Cliffs on south side of Big Snow

Looking back up to summit from south side

Summit Ridge

Ridge of Big Snow

Snoqualmie Peaks

There are three markers on the summit.

One of three

One of three

After spending some more good summit time, we headed back down to camp since we wanted to make it out on Saturday before the predicted change in weather arrived. We could see lenticular clouds building over Mt Rainier.

Just like on many summits in South America

Summit shot on Big Snow

Lots o' lakes

Big Snow and Myrtle Lakes

Gold Lake

Walking on the granite slabs was a delight.

Gold Lake

Kicking the football

We packed up and made our way back toward the notch above Upper Hardscrabble where we saw the first person of the trip sitting there with a wooden-handled ice axe. After a chat, we made it down to the lake and continued to the lower lake where the heat forced us to take a refreshing swim.

Lower Hardscrabble from high on Big Snow

Summit

Downward to Upper Hardscrabble

Upper Hardscrabble Lake

Falls below Upper Hardscrabble outlet

Looking back up to big Snow

About where I jumped in

Lower hardscrabble Lake

We made it back down to the bikes at 5:00 p.m. and arrived in about 1/2 hour to the car after cruising down the kidney- jarring road. As we arrived to North Bend the first raindrops began to fall and we were glad that we had decided to come down instead of spending the extra night up there. I can see a repeat trip in the future to visit the many lakes.

[Bernardo]

Nice trip. Yes, all the Big Snow reports have been inspirational. Did you see signs that the road is getting used by people with gate keys?

[Matt]

The lakes and slabs look great.

[RichP]

[Hikingqueen]

Early morning light LOVE it! You got some wonderful shots!

[like2thruhike]

Finally I can check this one off the list....It really wasn't what i had expected.It had a big mountain feel even though it was 6680.....

Many hikers are bikers and vice versa....

Many describe a big log beside the road when giving directions to the start of the unmaintained fishermans trail to Big Snow.I think old growth log about sums up the exact size of the log.....

Big Snow Mtn "trail" start carin

BIG SNOW fishermans trail

Something for everyone here.A scenic drive in.A scenic bike ride from the car to the beginning of the fishermans trail.Bushwacking along a faint trail.

Fishermans Trail Sign on Big Snow

Where's Waldo?

There's Waldo

Some route finding between flagging on boulder field.Prestine lakes with very few camp spots to spoil the wilderness feel.More boulder hopping.

Logging Relics

Nature reclaims

I looks like bear poop,sort of.

Just beyond upper HS,there's this soaking hole with a tent site close by.We should have soaked here because it'd be easier to get out and warmer because it gets more sun.

Snow at 4,500 in September?!

Where's Waldo?

Some snow travel.All firm,no postholing.As the temps drop it may be a good idea to bring traction devices and maybe an ice axe.

Thatta'way

frosty white river

RP on BS

Some mosquitoes till 10 pm.Only annoying if you sleep in a bivy sack w/o ear plugs.Eventually I had to use mine.I also had to switch from the mosquitoe head net to zipping the REI Minimalist bivy all the way up.Luckily it has a generous amount of mesh so morning condensation was slightly noticable.

Possible bivy spot on Big Snow

Hiker on Big Snow

Just below BigSnow summit

Dude,that's steep....

1 label

Natures art

Heading to the saddle

[puzzlr]

Congrats on getting this one done! Takes a little more effort and planning than it used to, but in return those who go will probably get it all to themselves.

[Don]

Fun mountain in a fun area! You got some nice light up high, too! Big Snow has always been one of my favorites, and your pictures remind me why. Congratulations on an excellent trip.

[RichP]

Thanks puzzlr and Don. Bruce and I both have wanted to get into this area for quite a while and it all worked out great. It was quite a bit of work as an overnight trip, but well worth it. If I ever go back, a summit bivy is definitely in order.

[alpinelakes]

Nice pictures! Was the register hidden below the cross? I forgot to look for it. Looks like I missed a couple cool spots on the south side, too... Some very cool slabbage up there, and most of the way down to Gold Lake. There's something really attractive about old campsites that are mossed over. I found a fire pit with logs and kindling neatly arranged, but draped in a years-old carpet of moss. Like something from an old, illustrated volume of children's fairy tales... even the mossed-over garbage was interesting, in some strange, historical sort of way... Those old logging cables are enormous! I followed one for quite a ways and never found the end. Then I found another one like half a mile away and was thinking they might be the same cable...nah...couldn't be... Great report! You nailed down some more beta on the trail...I was surprised to find all the flagging and other recent work. I hope they aren't fixin to clearcut that hillside anytime soon...

[RichP]