Sadie's Driver Sadie's Driver
Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 1763 | TRs | Pics Location: Welcome Pass |
Goodness sake. This was one of the most crowded back-country hikes Sadie has seen in quite a while! Popular place - it must have been the May 29 trip report that indicated the trail up to the old look-out was pretty much clear of snow now.
That's where we're headed!
We counted five other cars at the trail head (in addition to our two vehicles). Once on top - there were seven others up there, along with the five of us! Actually, the trail is in great shape. We were surprised to see that last year's fire came so close to the ranger station - it seemed to be within about 1/4 mile.
Transition shot between burn and green about a mile up the trail.
There are only a couple of downed trees on the trail - but nothing that couldn't be scooted over or under. The devastation from the fire last year was pretty significant in several areas.
Burned trail sign on tree in burn area - next to a campsite and where the old road turns into trail and heads west towards the look-out. Burn evidence above Lake Wenatchee. Sadie on trail with significant burn area in front of her - about 2 1/2 miles into the hike More recent burn area
It was definitely a brown hike until about 5300' - then there was snow fairly consistently to the look-out spot. Nothing significant, just slippery enough to slow you down a little and it is definitely melting out rapidly, so there are plenty of "holes" to avoid or skirt around. It won't be long before it's all gone.
Dirty Face June 3 038
And, of course, there are a gazillion switchbacks, which helps with the elevation gain (about 4,000' in 4.5 miles). It took us about two hours and 15 minutes to get to the look-out.
Chris from Woodinville introducing himself to Hiker Jim. Chris with Lake Wenatchee in the background. Now he can prove to his Mom that he actually was on this hike.
We seriously considered pressing on to the summit, but the prospects of crummy snow and post-holing most of the way didn't sound fun. The weather was tremendous and the temperature just right to do another couple thousand feet of elevation gain/loss and two more miles - but we opted not to take the plunge (so to speak).
4/5's of the two-legged motley crew on the summit - with Sadie supervising. Glacier Peak is the snow-covered peak above Bob's (in orange) head. First summit of Dirty Face can be seen in front of Glacier. Fallen solar cell tower at look-out site Looking S/SW from look-out point with lakes below. If the photo wasn't faded, you could see Mt. Hinman.
We stayed at the look-out for about an hour just soaking up the sun - since tomorrow we will probably be just plain soaking if we go out!
Skier Rick using solar energy to re-charge his batteries.
No one else who was at the look-out stop was talking about going on to the summit.
The Princess on Dirty Face.
In fact, two guys we met at the look-out were from the Tri-Cities and we saw them again when we went over to Leavenworth for a Starbucks hit. There are bugs, so be ready with the DEET. The mosquitoes are just waiting for a few juicy legs. And, Skier Rick reported that he had to pick off a tick from his arm. I'll be checking Sadie carefully. Trail Pair had to stop and put some bug-juice on, because K was getting chewed on. Hiker Jim and I kept moving and managed to avoid the buggers. Once on top, the slight wind helped to keep the bugs down. The views were great - but you could see the clouds moving in from the West. Likely, the rain will hit later tonight. We saw gorgeous wild flowers. I found several Lyall's mariposa lilies - can't say that I have ever seen them before.
Lovely little Lyall's mariposa lily
They were absolutely lovely. The paintbrush is out, as is the lupine, vetch, glacier lilies, yellow violets, Solomon's Seal, and several little, itty-bitty flowers (whites, pinks, and lavender) that I have no clue what they are. This hike was so quick - we were back to the cars by about 2:30 p.m. - we decided to go ahead and go into Leavenworth for a Starbucks stop. It was nice and warm sitting in the sun there for a while. All-in-all a great training hike - sure wouldn't want to be out on that trail in July or August. There wouldn't be any water - so, if you're headed that way, be sure and take plenty of water with you and for your 4-legged friend. Sadie had plenty of small creeks today, along with the snow, but it won't be that way for long.
A nice little waterfall about a mile up the trail - won't be there long!
Here are some miscellaneous pics for your enjoyment!
Bob claims this abandoned cistern is an archeological site in the making. Historical shovel joining the archeological cistern. This poor little stump was identified by the orange tape as a "killer tree" - not quite sure why. Seemed innocent enough. Lake Wenatchee through partial burn and partial green
Four-paw buddy lets me tag along!
Four-paw buddy lets me tag along!
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