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some names Member
Joined: 08 Jan 2012 Posts: 244 | TRs | Pics
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We’ve been looking at the Zorro Rd, Thompson Pt, and Revolution Pk. for a long time.
On Saturday 3/02/2013, with rain in the forecast we decided to explore the area. We had read about the connector trail that leaves from near the concrete bridge and joins the Granite Lakes trail at about 1700’, nicely cutting off 1.5 miles so we took it. It’s a wonderful trail that winds through beautiful forest and wastes no time going up. Soon we met the new Granite Lakes trail and continued on. Soon after crossing the creek we put on snowshoes. Near where the trail goes off to the lakes we mapped out a bearing and headed as directly as we could toward the cabin. We ate lunch at 4320’ and decided to call it because of the incoming rain.
Saturday 3/09/2013, with the great forecast, we went back. This time we had a loop trip in mind. We followed the connector trail, met the Granite Lakes trail, and crossed the creek on the big log bridge. About ½ mile past the crossing, we took a bearing and went straight up through the woods toward Zorro Pt. We booted it to about 3500’, into salal which was mostly snow covered. We put on snowshoes at 3500’ and continued up to 3800’ where we intersected the Zorro Rd. We followed it up to the saddle between Zorro Pt and the ridge that goes to Thompson Pt. The views from the road looking west at 4000’ are great! From the saddle we went west up the Zorro Ridge which is a nice ramp going to Zorro Pt (pt 4642’). The views are wonderful in all directions! We took a long break enjoying the views and taking pictures.
Then we went back to the saddle which offers “front row” views of Revolution Pk (pt 5454’) and Russian Buttes, picture time again. Next we went east up the ridge toward the old cabin and Thompson Pt. What a beautiful ridge walk! The ridge has lots of lovely snow alleys as it goes through forest with occasional peak-a-boo views to the west and north. There was about 6” of new snow on top of a crust and snow on the trees. We came out of the forest at the old cabin. What a view from there! Someone really knew how to site a cabin! We went on to Thompson Pt. (pt 5124') and had a late lunch and more picture taking.
Then we went back to the cabin and pretty much straight down from there. The upper slopes had really changed in a week. There was a mix of slippery firm crust and zones of melted sludge snow that had us tumbling into unplanned glissades which went about thirty feet each. The road where we had our lunch last week had disappeared and become an indistinguishable part of the big slope down. Somewhere partway down we did the bearing thing again and angled directly to the main granite lakes trail . . . skipping lots of the twisty road walking. The glissading continued pathetic, but still fun. Eventually we met the main trail and followed it . . . “slot canyons” and all . . . until we met the connector trail and went back to the car. What a fabulous day! It was so exciting to finally get to these places and see such wonderful scenery on the way! Of course there are some other places up there still on our list….
Our approximate route On the 'connector' trail' On the 'connector trail' Crossing Granite Creek Teneriffe and the Greens from 4000' on the Z road Moolock from 4000' on the Z road Middle Fork valley Up the Z road On the Z road near the top saddle Z road saddle - looking toward Zorro Point Russian Buttes and Gifforfd Lakes basin Russian Buttes - Goat Mtn in distance On Zorro Point On Zorro Point Malebox summit Male boxers The Green summits Teneriffe with Blowdown and Dixie behind Mt Si Moolock Web Mtn South view from the Zorro road saddle Teneriffe and Dixie Granite Lakes basin Descending Zorro Point ridge back to road saddle Zorro road saddle - looking toward Thompson point and cabin Revolution Pk 5454' Looking back at Zorro Point Snow travel on Zorro ridge Snow alleys on Zorro ridge The cabin - approx 5000' The cabin scene - looking west Defiance to Web - Thompson Lake below Caroline from Thompson Point 5124' West Granite, Granite, and Granita Returning from Thompson Point Russian Buttes Revolution Pk Roof situation on cabin Afternoon view Attemped glissading pretty pathetic - but fun! No more glissading Fading daylight Evening on the Greens Leaving Granite Lakes basin Slot Canyons of the Central Cascades Slot Canyon Headed home
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Now I Fly
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Now I Fly
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Jeb Summit Driven
Joined: 21 Jul 2012 Posts: 251 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle |
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Jeb
Summit Driven
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Sun Mar 17, 2013 4:31 pm
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glad you found better weather the second time around.
beautiful shots, thanks for sharing!
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hikapath Member
Joined: 13 Apr 2009 Posts: 44 | TRs | Pics Location: Lochsloy |
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hikapath
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Sun Mar 17, 2013 7:18 pm
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I have as a after work walk done the Zorro road many times--there is a great viewpoint in a switchback on the way below Zorro point. It is more difficult now but still passable (particularly at the start) since they returned it to "native" state
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Type E Member
Joined: 19 Aug 2006 Posts: 1381 | TRs | Pics
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Type E
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Sun Mar 17, 2013 11:32 pm
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Looks like you had a fun day , let me know when you are planning in doing revolution/ Russian butte
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The Angry Hiker SAR Blacklistee
Joined: 13 Jun 2008 Posts: 2890 | TRs | Pics Location: Kentwila |
Great hike. It's always cool to see photos of the famous meth lab up close.
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some names Member
Joined: 08 Jan 2012 Posts: 244 | TRs | Pics
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Thank you all for the nice feedback!
Hikapath, great idea to do part of it as an afterhours.
Type E, you read us right! We are certainly planning a return trip. We'll keep you posted.
Angry Hiker, who needs meth in a cabin with views like that!! We wish they would preserve it and rent it out, such a prime location!
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The Angry Hiker SAR Blacklistee
Joined: 13 Jun 2008 Posts: 2890 | TRs | Pics Location: Kentwila |
It's privately owned as is the property surrounding it, and the true story about how it got there is pretty cool.
But not as cool as the story I made up.
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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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Tue Mar 19, 2013 12:18 pm
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You took the 'loop route' right out of my to-do list! Superb photos. You chose the right time of year to hike on Zorro road as I hear that it's getting overgrown after all these years, aided by MTSG re-greening.
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some names Member
Joined: 08 Jan 2012 Posts: 244 | TRs | Pics
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Angry Hiker, we think your story about the cabin is cool, and we'd like to know the real story as well. We looked on line and were unable to find it, so please tell....
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The Angry Hiker SAR Blacklistee
Joined: 13 Jun 2008 Posts: 2890 | TRs | Pics Location: Kentwila |
To make a long story short: Back when that area was being clearcut, the logging company sold that plot of land to a guy who built the cabin and paid taxes on it. The logging operations eventually left, and it turned out that they never owned the land to begin with. The feds tried to evict the guy in the cabin, but by that time he had been there long enough to have "squatter's rights." The cabin and a few acres around it still belong to his family and are private property.
That's the basic gist of it and I understand it. I'm sure someone else here can go into more detail.
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