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Matt Tea, Earl Grey, Hot
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Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 4307 | TRs | Pics Location: Shoreline |
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Matt
Tea, Earl Grey, Hot
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![Post Post](templates/subSilver/images/icon_minipost.gif) Fri Mar 02, 2012 12:06 am
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The trees should have been a poem, they were all rimed so well.
Destination: Granite Mountain Point 5566 “Tusk O’Granite” (USGS Snoqualmie Pass)
Party: Matt, cartman
We wanted to take advantage of the one bright shiny day between storms, so we picked a route that would be reasonably protected from avalanche danger, and went up into the sunshine and fresh snow. My affection for snowy trees was well-satisfied today.
Peakbaggers call this peak “Tusk O’Granite,” I guess because it’s adjacent to Tuscohatchie Lake and Granite Mtn. I’d have just called it Northwest Granite, since it’s simply a side summit of Granite Mountain. Anyway, it has 406 feet of prominence, so it qualifies as a summit by the 400P rule. Hereinafter be “Tusk O’Granite” abbreviated as TOG.
We hiked the Olallie Lake trail to 3300 feet, then went up TOG’s SW ridge over Point 5180 and on to the summit at 5566. There was only one exposed spot, where we had to briefly go up the side of the ridge where it turns a sharp corner near 4800 feet.
The snow was 12-14 inches of light powder in the forest. Higher up it varied from half a foot to a couple feet deep, depending on how the wind had blown it on the crest. In the open stretches up high, we were careful to stay right on the crest or amid trees, and avoid getting onto any of the big slopes.
Up the Ridge:
![TOG GPS Track](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/3aa5d5352fb64a83eef727730cb4f76b_254x320.jpg) TOG GPS Track ![Hiking through the snowy forest](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/7110d7147fd7bdeef151fbf90bb72ddb_240x320.jpg) Hiking through the snowy forest ![Coming out onto the ridge](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/bf6b79733025a85003c21b926618cb7f_319x240.jpg) Coming out onto the ridge ![Bandera thru the trees](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/5ff163e5085f1702c80cf68ff81b8fab_241x320.jpg) Bandera thru the trees ![Light between the shadows](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/b8dda35d3adabecdce7a3ae012fb54be_240x320.jpg) Light between the shadows ![Tall snowy trees](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/8550480f63f6db1fe2c0debd706355a9_240x320.jpg) Tall snowy trees ![Crossing the open step at 4800](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/6f870206f3ead1d0a3d967e46762a79d_320x240.jpg) Crossing the open step at 4800
Over Point 5180:
![Coming up to Point 5180](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/0eadff7d8ffd3c10578e6bfedbe1c9e0_320x240.jpg) Coming up to Point 5180 ![Granite Mtn on our right](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/6d363a3e228971bd09bc6e7909d75a02_320x240.jpg) Granite Mtn on our right ![TOG ahead](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/d2f7ed0062441979a84f74b216641948_320x240.jpg) TOG ahead ![Wildly counter-carved cornice](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/67902fcff5f10d90843ad861a4b01268_320x240.jpg) Wildly counter-carved cornice ![Olallie Lake, Pratt, & Defiance](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/fc4c2ea3da0b256750bbe217d9c10263_320x240.jpg) Olallie Lake, Pratt, & Defiance
Hiking through the Rime Gallery:
![Bending Rime](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/70f07508dc3a38b75f8632f071e45f9c_320x240.jpg) Bending Rime ![Rime spire](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/1410706cb5f0b1e00edd8be871663f09_240x320.jpg) Rime spire ![Major rime](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/ed21dda88765b62c77a68527503efe67_240x320.jpg) Major rime ![Backlit](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/b9b34536728e51238c6041bf73e11dfd_240x320.jpg) Backlit ![Cornice Channel](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/238981e448f1772916cb839022bb4dea_240x320.jpg) Cornice Channel ![Sky, Rime, & Cloud](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/3f2c421969c3dbeca2731321fd9a3ff7_240x320.jpg) Sky, Rime, & Cloud ![Rime-sided](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/72ab92ae56d1c0cc723b8dcbde58750f_240x320.jpg) Rime-sided ![Rime trees marching upward](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/3bef69bf9b3717b7e77e2b0f8f882d8f_320x240.jpg) Rime trees marching upward
Through the poetry forest to the summit:
![Last slope to the summit](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/a3ea6cfe97e324b880034643dcc5d341_366x240.jpg) Last slope to the summit ![Between the rimed trees](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/6b0e25406e4805b801a79b0695e97b86_240x320.jpg) Between the rimed trees ![Fly like an angel](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/a7eb3569dc4983b6d7cef8011406b3b5_241x320.jpg) Fly like an angel ![Rimed snags on the summit](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/41f51a9c3ee78326a230d98d94d21ac5_320x240.jpg) Rimed snags on the summit
On the summit:
![Eric having lunch](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/230fd83d72a2a4132cba5983a39bb7e6_320x240.jpg) Eric having lunch ![Me](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/3060ef72802f1936d0f6bd1ee00f7030_364x240.jpg) Me ![Summit Tea looking back at Point 5180](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/f910c9f502f295ecec04245bedbc9bee_320x240.jpg) Summit Tea looking back at Point 5180 ![Summit Tea and the Tuscohatchie view](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/ea6c026803ccee1c023a8c01d11ec969_320x240.jpg) Summit Tea and the Tuscohatchie view
More summit views:
![Kaleetan Peak](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/729a957a006d1cc8421fb5f1dac860df_371x240.jpg) Kaleetan Peak ![Chair Peak](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/a3ccf8a906ae0c7d5abbd9bb5141f13a_346x240.jpg) Chair Peak ![Snoqualmie Mtn & Chimney Rock](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/8ddf819e4b903113af00930f7457b986_478x240.jpg) Snoqualmie Mtn & Chimney Rock ![Granite Mtn Lookout](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/8b83996ccda40a59c6ab46296b13689f_229x240.jpg) Granite Mtn Lookout
I'll post a panorama of the summit view here tomorrow.
Going Down:
![Our tracks across the col](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/87ea10b3afa5c579877a90a5b5a007a9_240x320.jpg) Our tracks across the col ![Another view of the counter-carved cornice](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/b3341cf3ff035bf1ab548c31db007b6f_320x240.jpg) Another view of the counter-carved cornice ![Tree Icicles](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/940918efc4033a440f188e7b12338b24_240x320.jpg) Tree Icicles
I can see why skiers love fresh powder. Back in the forest, where the snow was undisturbed by wind or sun, I could just float and glide down through the powder, even on snowshoes.
Statistics: 7.5 miles, 3650 net gain, 3810 cumulative gain, 8 hours
“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
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Joined: 13 Feb 2007 Posts: 7220 | TRs | Pics Location: Stuck in the middle |
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puzzlr
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![Post Post](templates/subSilver/images/icon_minipost.gif) Fri Mar 02, 2012 12:15 am
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Matt wrote: | Peakbaggers call this peak “Tusk O’Granite,” I guess because it’s adjacent to Tuscohatchie Lake and Granite Mtn. |
I did not know that, and was too dense to figure it out.
Mark this one down for the calendar -- works great as a vertical.
![Rime spire](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/1410706cb5f0b1e00edd8be871663f09_240x320.jpg) Rime spire
Kaleetan looks freak'n awesome.
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Mike Collins Member
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Thanks for posting this climb. I'll have to put it on my hit list. The Homecourt Peaks require 500 ft of prominence so this one missed the list. If it was a Backcourt Peak it would be on that list as only 400 ft of prominence would be needed.
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RichP Member
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RichP
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![Post Post](templates/subSilver/images/icon_minipost.gif) Fri Mar 02, 2012 9:51 am
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Nice photos, Matt. I was close to doing this hike on the same day. Looks like perfect conditions and an ideal spot for a summit camp in fair weather.
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twodogdad Member
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Matt wrote: | ![Kaleetan Peak](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/729a957a006d1cc8421fb5f1dac860df_371x240.jpg) Kaleetan Peak |
So you know why skiers love powder, eh? Vade retro Satana
N
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reststep Member
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reststep
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![Post Post](templates/subSilver/images/icon_minipost.gif) Fri Mar 02, 2012 8:57 pm
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Beautiful, thanks for sharing.
No swimming?
"The mountains are calling and I must go." - John Muir
"The mountains are calling and I must go." - John Muir
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DGage Member
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DGage
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![Post Post](templates/subSilver/images/icon_minipost.gif) Fri Mar 02, 2012 10:47 pm
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What an amazing adventure on a stunningly beautiful day! Dealing with feelings of jealousy now...
Why do people climb mountains? Because they're big, old, and stationary. And so are the mountains.
Why do people climb mountains? Because they're big, old, and stationary. And so are the mountains.
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the Zachster Member
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SergioNapelo Member
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"I will lift up my eyes to the mountains. From where shall my help come. My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth!" - David, King of Israel 1,000 BC
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Matt Tea, Earl Grey, Hot
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Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 4307 | TRs | Pics Location: Shoreline |
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Matt
Tea, Earl Grey, Hot
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![Post Post](templates/subSilver/images/icon_minipost.gif) Sat Mar 03, 2012 10:50 am
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![Labeled pan of the peaks beyond Tuscohatchie Lake](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/9111963b9256e494a209344fcf2ef0a0_805x240.jpg) 16 labels Labeled pan of the peaks beyond Tuscohatchie Lake
![Wavy 180+ degree pan of the view north from TOG](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/c7a26858bde293d3332af481b3f723dd_925x240.jpg) Wavy 180+ degree pan of the view north from TOG ![Wavy 180+ degree pan of the view south from TOG](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/4870485148dd6243b5a6d31fa192e814_838x240.jpg) Wavy 180+ degree pan of the view south from TOG
“As beacons mountains burned at evening.” J.R.R. Tolkien
“As beacons mountains burned at evening.” J.R.R. Tolkien
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GranolaGirl Member
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WOAH!!! Beautiful pictures! Wish I was there!
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Stefan-K Member
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Stefan-K
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![Post Post](templates/subSilver/images/icon_minipost.gif) Sun Mar 04, 2012 4:24 pm
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yes indeed, super nice pics Matt! Thanks! And what Niko echoed about the powder... I got all excited seeing your photo of Kaleetan - instant nostalgia - having recently skied that whole face in similar conditions... actually, exactly one month earlier to the day!
And nice one of Chair too! It's looking fat (tho prob shrunk and shed some with the recent rain and warmth).
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puzzlr Mid Fork Rocks
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puzzlr
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![Post Post](templates/subSilver/images/icon_minipost.gif) Mon Mar 05, 2012 2:25 am
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You know how when you hear an unusual word suddenly it comes up everywhere? After your explanation that “Tusk O’Granite” was derived from Tuscohatchie Lake and Granite Mtn I came across this interesting 1897 map. Tuscohatchie has been demoted over the years -- it used to be the name for what's now called the Pratt River.
![From "Mining In The Pacific NorthWest" by Hodges, 1897](https://cloud.nwhikers.net/6802390834_324x240.jpg) From "Mining In The Pacific NorthWest" by Hodges, 1897
There are some other very interesting name shifts on this map.
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