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iron Member
Joined: 10 Aug 2008 Posts: 6392 | TRs | Pics Location: southeast kootenays |
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iron
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Sun Jan 20, 2013 7:06 pm
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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. Member
Joined: 17 Nov 2004 Posts: 1298 | TRs | Pics Location: WA |
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 Member
Joined: 21 Sep 2007 Posts: 2344 | TRs | Pics Location: Edmonds, Wa |
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 iron and hotpantz checkin out the big yellow cedar the steep North face of Ulalach and Whitehorse the ridge to the summit iron and hotpantz on the ridge 3 Fingers Whitehorse
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Gimpilator infinity/21M
Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Posts: 1684 | TRs | Pics Location: Edmonds, WA |
Very cool trip! I enjoyed your photos.
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GaliWalker Have camera will use
Joined: 10 Dec 2007 Posts: 4929 | TRs | Pics Location: Pittsburgh |
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GaliWalker
Have camera will use
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Sun Jan 20, 2013 10:26 pm
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iron, tremendous photos! So gorgeous up top in the open, but the trees are even nicer.
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Gwen LO Girl-of-the-Month
Joined: 14 Feb 2010 Posts: 1673 | TRs | Pics
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Gwen
LO Girl-of-the-Month
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Sun Jan 20, 2013 11:48 pm
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Lovin' hotpantz rockin' the hot skirt!
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
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 Member
Joined: 17 Dec 2001 Posts: 5091 | TRs | Pics
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Stefan
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Mon Jan 21, 2013 10:22 am
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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.
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Goats Know Gravity's Bitch
Joined: 29 Aug 2007 Posts: 194 | TRs | Pics
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Goats Know
Gravity's Bitch
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Mon Jan 21, 2013 5:44 pm
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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
Here on this mountaintop...Woahoho...I got some wild, wild life - Talking Heads
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iron Member
Joined: 10 Aug 2008 Posts: 6392 | TRs | Pics Location: southeast kootenays |
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iron
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Mon Jan 21, 2013 5:47 pm
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yes, first pic is stitched, as are several others (including some of the giant cedar!).
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belowfellow Transplant
Joined: 22 Feb 2009 Posts: 261 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle |
very cool. really like the big cedars.
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Kim Brown Member
Joined: 13 Jul 2009 Posts: 6899 | TRs | Pics
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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
"..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 Member
Joined: 18 Dec 2001 Posts: 3096 | TRs | Pics
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That is a gigantic yellow cedar. Here is some competition in British Columbia.Admiral Broeren - On Spur N1800 Cooper Creek Watershed
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Go Jo of the lykkens
Joined: 08 Jun 2003 Posts: 2248 | TRs | Pics Location: Around The Bend |
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Go Jo
of the lykkens
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Tue Jan 22, 2013 4:12 pm
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Redwic Unlisted Free Agent
Joined: 23 Feb 2009 Posts: 3292 | TRs | Pics Location: Going to the Prom(inence) |
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Redwic
Unlisted Free Agent
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Tue Jan 22, 2013 5:49 pm
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Great job, Iron, Hotpantz, and R3H!
Thank you for sharing!
60 pounds lighter but not 60 points brighter.
60 pounds lighter but not 60 points brighter.
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puzzlr Mid Fork Rocks
Joined: 13 Feb 2007 Posts: 7220 | TRs | Pics Location: Stuck in the middle |
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puzzlr
Mid Fork Rocks
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Wed Jan 23, 2013 1:20 am
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Very cool trip. I didn't know it was reasonable to approach from that side, and the trees are amazing.
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