Forum Index > Trip Reports > ulalach - 2013-01-19
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iron
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iron
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PostSun Jan 20, 2013 7:06 pm 
of the billions of trip options that came in and went out of the inbox this past week, r3h's idea of ulalach seemed just about right. safe approach. great location on a clear day. and, the promise of big trees he previously noted on an earlier trip. we (r3h, hotpantz, and i) drove up the squire creek road out of darrington and continued to end of the county maintained road before parking at the bridge. one could drive substantially farther, as evident by recent tire tracks and a smoldering campfire during a burn ban (fueled by rubber car tires, none-the-less), but a high clearance vehicle + ability to control it on icy FS roads is required. but, who doesn't love extra road walking?
we continued on the slightly overgrown road until reaching the squire creek TH. some icy, though beautiful, creek crossings along the way.
then up. r3h led up on a rising traverse, kicking nice steps for us. snow was very very spring-like - sometimes supportive, sometimes not. but, never icy. the big trees started around 2400'. snowshoes went on around 3000' IIRC. the trees were truly grand and lots of hugging ensued.
upper cedar basin lived up to its name. lots of yellow cedars and quite basin-like. r3h, who has seen the apparently largest diameter cedar on the planet, said he thought the one we saw this day was bigger! this would make for a great ski tour if you can stand the road approach. the north face of ulalach was beautifully iced over with rime from the foggy days of late. meanwhile, whitehorse and three fingers loomed gloriously to our right. it was all too nice.
from the saddle, the ridge was quite easy to follow and safe. only the last 50' vertical gave pause for concern. some small open slopes with southerly aspects were crossed to avoid following the exact ridge as cornices hanging over the steep north face required avoidance.
views from the top were most excellent. the mountain loop peaks showed their ruggedness in true form. views to the north showed the sisters thru davis peak with an interruption by jumbo peak before seeing dome and YES! peak.
the descent was uneventful as we got to enjoy the big trees for a second time. there's some other bumps up here to explore and i plan to come back via a different route to get up to upper cedar basin. truly a beautiful area!
about 12.5 miles and 4500' all pics

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Justus S.
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Justus S.
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PostSun Jan 20, 2013 9:18 pm 
Looks like a great trip! I did that road walk about a month ago. It's a long walk in. I'm sure the in person views of Three Fingers that close are sweet.

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raising3hikers
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raising3hikers
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PostSun Jan 20, 2013 9:33 pm 
I had high expectations of this peak and it live up to them. It's in such a great location for seeing the rugged mountain loop peaks and beyond. It's about as close as you can get to 3 Fingers and Whitehorse without being on them. The hike through the old growth forest was superb. I just can't get enough of those big cedars. It's hard to concentrate on climbing when there are so many nice big trees around that need to be looked at and appreciated. The climb was really mellow most of the way and not really any brush to deal with. I'm glad we did this on a nice day for those great views. It was better than being in the fog back at home. Fun trip with some good partners
ice mushroom, they're really rare but in season
ice mushroom, they're really rare but in season
iron and hotpantz checkin out the big yellow cedar
iron and hotpantz checkin out the big yellow cedar
the steep North face of Ulalach and Whitehorse
the steep North face of Ulalach and Whitehorse
the ridge to the summit
the ridge to the summit
iron and hotpantz on the ridge
iron and hotpantz on the ridge
3 Fingers
3 Fingers
Whitehorse
Whitehorse

Eric Eames
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Gimpilator
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Gimpilator
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PostSun Jan 20, 2013 10:05 pm 
Very cool trip! up.gif I enjoyed your photos.

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GaliWalker
Have camera will use



Joined: 10 Dec 2007
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GaliWalker
Have camera will use
PostSun Jan 20, 2013 10:26 pm 
iron, tremendous photos! So gorgeous up top in the open, but the trees are even nicer.

'Gali'Walker => 'Mountain-pass' walker bobbi: "...don't you ever forget your camera!" Photography: flickr.com/photos/shahiddurrani
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Gwen
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PostSun Jan 20, 2013 11:48 pm 
Lovin' hotpantz rockin' the hot skirt! up.gif

Tomorrow's not promised to anyone, so be bold, scare yourself, attempt something with no guarantee of success. You'll be amazed at what you can achieve. -Olive McGloin
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Stefan
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PostMon Jan 21, 2013 10:22 am 
great pics iron. you captured Voodoo Peak pretty good with the ridgeline to near the top. its the peak just in front of you as you look towards Sloan.

Art is an adventure.
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Goats Know
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Goats Know
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PostMon Jan 21, 2013 5:44 pm 
Great pictures Iron! I like that first one. Is that stitched? That is a great area! I hiked up Higher Squire just to the south of Ualach a couple of years ago. A great place to be on the first nice weekend in the spring. The avalanches rolling off the east face of Three Fingers by mid day are spectacular!!! Great trip and report guys!

Here on this mountaintop...Woahoho...I got some wild, wild life - Talking Heads
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iron
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iron
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PostMon Jan 21, 2013 5:47 pm 
yes, first pic is stitched, as are several others (including some of the giant cedar!).

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belowfellow
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belowfellow
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PostMon Jan 21, 2013 6:15 pm 
very cool. up.gif really like the big cedars.

"Wilderness is bliss"
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Kim Brown
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PostMon Jan 21, 2013 6:28 pm 
Stunning! Absolutely love those amazing trees. Interesting idea for a trip. Different. I love Squire Creek.

"..living on the east side of the Sierra world be ideal - except for harsher winters and the chance of apocalyptic fires burning the whole area." Bosterson, NWHiker's marketing expert
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Mike Collins
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PostMon Jan 21, 2013 7:29 pm 
That is a gigantic yellow cedar. Here is some competition in British Columbia.
Admiral Broeren - On Spur N1800 Cooper Creek Watershed
Admiral Broeren - On Spur N1800 Cooper Creek Watershed

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Go Jo
of the lykkens



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Go Jo
of the lykkens
PostTue Jan 22, 2013 4:12 pm 
up.gif up.gif

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Redwic
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Redwic
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PostTue Jan 22, 2013 5:49 pm 
Great job, Iron, Hotpantz, and R3H! Thank you for sharing! up.gif

60 pounds lighter but not 60 points brighter.
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puzzlr
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puzzlr
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PostWed Jan 23, 2013 1:20 am 
Very cool trip. I didn't know it was reasonable to approach from that side, and the trees are amazing.

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