Forum Index > Trip Reports > Freedom & Navaho (5/3/2014)
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Matt
Tea, Earl Grey, Hot



Joined: 30 Jan 2007
Posts: 4307 | TRs | Pics
Location: Shoreline
Matt
Tea, Earl Grey, Hot
PostFri May 09, 2014 12:33 am 
Date: 5/3/2014 Destination: Freedom 6442 & Navaho 7223 (USGS Enchantment Lakes) Hikers from Seattle Area: Matt, Snowdog, CMurph Hiker from Wenatchee: Sadie's Driver Skiers: Dicey, Susan Other hiker discovered at trailhead: Opus Hiker we never met who was somewhere ahead of us: r3h Dogs: Isabel, Gusto, Mazzie Highlights: No rain. Scary damage from earlier avalanche below Freedom. Impressive view of the Stuart Range from Navaho, even when partially obscured by clouds. The road was open to Stafford Creek trailhead. Some cars stopped 0.4 miles earlier to avoid a giant mudhole. Most of us came from the Seattle area. Sadie's Driver met us from Wenatchee. And Opus happened to show up at the same trailhead. My theory is that he has multiple clones; thus the high frequency of encountering him at various trailheads. We hiked up the Stafford Creek trail to about 4200 feet, where we went up the basin toward the col south of Freedom. However, we veered off course and ended up going more directly to the summit. The trail at the bottom had been swept by a strong avalanche earlier in the season that snapped off a lot of trees.
GPS Track
GPS Track
At Stafford Creek trailhead
At Stafford Creek trailhead
In the avalanche debris field
In the avalanche debris field
Freedom summit group
Freedom summit group
Elle enjoying brief sunshine on Freedom summit
Elle enjoying brief sunshine on Freedom summit
Dogs with their attention riveted on food
Dogs with their attention riveted on food
We followed the Freedom's easy north ridge down to the Freedom-Navaho col. SD & Opus returned from there. The rest continued up the easy ridge to Navaho.
Descening from Freedom
Descening from Freedom
Skier way out ahead at the col.
Skier way out ahead at the col.
Marker on Navaho south ridge (there was also a pile of "4" markers at the col)
Marker on Navaho south ridge (there was also a pile of "4" markers at the col)
Little flowers amid the rocks
Little flowers amid the rocks
McMillan looms
McMillan looms
Cold Mazzie
Cold Mazzie
Some views from Navaho:
Stuart range wreathed in clouds
Stuart range wreathed in clouds
Fortune & Ingalls
Fortune & Ingalls
Earl
Earl
Brief flurry of graupel on my gloves
Brief flurry of graupel on my gloves
The skiers made fast time down from Navaho. Hikers angled down the snow with some glissades.
Debating whether to posthole or ski
Debating whether to posthole or ski
Trees snapped off by avalanche
Trees snapped off by avalanche
Check out the height of scars on trees in the background where the avalanche bottomed out!
Check out the height of scars on trees in the background where the avalanche bottomed out!
Looking up the stream gully and bowl where the avalanche originated
Looking up the stream gully and bowl where the avalanche originated
Glacier lilies along the trail
Glacier lilies along the trail
Stats: 10.5 miles, 4700 gain, 8:15 hours Brought snowshoes but didn't need them.

“As beacons mountains burned at evening.” J.R.R. Tolkien
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raising3hikers
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Joined: 21 Sep 2007
Posts: 2343 | TRs | Pics
Location: Edmonds, Wa
raising3hikers
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PostFri May 09, 2014 7:14 am 
nice choice guys, i did the exact same trip the same day. i used snowshoes a little bit but not needed much. wished i would have seen you guys

Eric Eames
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Snowdog
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Joined: 21 Jul 2006
Posts: 1027 | TRs | Pics
Location: on (& off) the beaten path
Snowdog
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PostFri May 09, 2014 8:25 am 
We sensed your presence! biggrin.gif ( oh, and thought we recognized your truck at TH) We made use of the steps you kicked too! Thanks! up.gif

'we don't have time for a shortcut'
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n16ht5
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Joined: 21 Jun 2010
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n16ht5
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PostFri May 09, 2014 12:41 pm 
wow that is really melting out fast. Nice pics

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Sadie's Driver
Sadie's Driver



Joined: 24 Apr 2006
Posts: 1763 | TRs | Pics
Location: Welcome Pass
Sadie's Driver
Sadie's Driver
PostThu May 15, 2014 8:27 pm 
This was not one of my more favorite trips in the Navajo vicinity. I have been up there many times, in every season (and in even worse weather) - but for some reason, it seemed really cold to me. Opus and I decided we had had enough fun just doing Freedom, so down we headed. Thanks, R3H for the steps. Thought we might catch you on our way out, but I should know better! agree.gif lol.gif doof.gif Not sure what time Matt, Snowdog and Cmurph go out, but fortunately, Susan and Carla were relatively quick coming off Navajo on skis, since I was their ride back to their car. Likely the road is in much better shape now than it was when we ventured to the trailhead. Only a few pics.
Photobomb queen
Photobomb queen
OCD skiers
OCD skiers
Leap-frogging the blowdown
Leap-frogging the blowdown
Your typical hiking boot! Nice, Carla
Your typical hiking boot! Nice, Carla
Avalanche debris below Freedom
Avalanche debris below Freedom
David (Opus) and Gus in the filed of avalanche debris
David (Opus) and Gus in the filed of avalanche debris
Bridlewood Cabana boy and the girls
Bridlewood Cabana boy and the girls
Oh, wait a minute, that last one sneaked in there . . . cabana boy in Santa Barbara . . . sweet! winksmile.gif

Four-paw buddy lets me tag along!
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wolffie
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Joined: 14 Jul 2008
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Location: Seattle
wolffie
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PostFri May 16, 2014 10:29 am 
Keep an eye out for vandalism to the whitebark pines around Navaho and similar summits. I photographed several sawn trees Navaho summit 6/2013, some done that winter, another a previous year. Ugly people. Navaho tree vandalism spring 2013

Some people have better things to do with their lives than walking the dog. Some don't.
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