[sarbar]

Hoosierdaddy, Mtnwkr, Ford and me did an overnighter, doing a combo of road walking, abandonded trail and X/C hiking. Obstruction Point rd is open to Waterhole currently-they are hoping to open this weekend-if the road firms up. The road is cleared of all snow though. As usual, it was very wind and cold on most of the hike.

We got rain about 2/3 rds of the way in. Snow wise we encountered very little. The flowers were on the down side in most areas, though lupine was starting to pop, and avy lilies were plenty still. Deer and marmots were plentiful..we had a lone duck give us company on the lake.

Hiked out in wind and rain this morning-but still a gorgeous trip.

[l]

It's a shame the weather wasn't better because, as you say, the views are great. That's the second time you've been cursed with bad conditons in the Olympics this year (I think Geyser Valley was the other; at least no car damage this time ). Did you camp at Obstruction Lake, aka Pumpkinseed Lake? And how were the avalanche lilies about 1/4 mile before the Obstruction Point parking lot?

[sarbar]

The lilies (both avy and glacier ones) were incredible..but just starting to wane.

Oddly enough, while the weather sucked, when it quit dumping it was really pretty. In the evening we got a lot of good views - and had good views when hiking in. Gotta love the name of that lake, eh? A very pretty lake indeed On the down side they took the old privies away from the parking lot! Jerkwad NParkies

[l]

Weird news about the privies - they just replaced them last year! The tarn is also called Draper Lake, for the rock found about 40 yards upstream from the inlet (pictured below). I also included a shot from the plateau above the little lake. Thanks for your help.

draper rock

pumpkinseed

[sarbar]

Wow! Those photos are so neat! Not sure how I missed the rock..dang! We were intriqued by this:

It was a neat place to eat. And:

Now, do you knwo any of the history behind the area, and the garbage dumps out there? I know my Calmute baking powder containers..and the one we found in the first hole, well, it was at least 50 years old, if not older. It was a very intresting area. Wondering how the guys missed that rock-they went exploring all over the ridges.

[l]

Sarbar, many moons ago Obstruction Lake was a prime camping area. Technically, you're not supposed to camp there now because it's less than a mile from the trailhead. But as you probably know, there's not much water up there after mid summer and Pumpinseed is one reliable source. The site is also somewhat protected and has wood for fires. Back during the forest service and early Park days, when trail building was underway (including a failed attempt to continue the road past Obstruction Peak), crews brought camping stuff down to the lake. There used to be more rusted stoves, pots, etc. but the Park removed most of it. If interested, I can point an arrow to Draper Rock in the photo.

[sarbar]

I spotted the rock in the photo..had I had my boots on when exploring I would have come across it (but I had my rainbow crocs on...they tread lightly, but let water in). We did find a very old elaborate fire pit. I have gotten so used to no fires at Rainier, that the thought of a fire in high country seems, well, odd. We had a X/C permit and since the road was closed, we were technically ok I wouldn't do the trip once the road is open, but it was indeed a great trip. In the Olympics, the Obstruction area is my favorite. I have always wanted to spend a night at Roaring Winds Pass....that or in the meadows of Badger Valley. I can dream

[Phil]

[l]

From what I've read, the reasons were twofold. Like many other civil projects, work was halted when WWII broke out. The other is simple physics. The basin formed by Obstruction Peak and the ridge connecting it to Elk Mountain is steep and unstable.

[sarbar]

I have always wondered how hard that would have been to maintain across Elk Peak. The road bed is very visible on both sides (refering to Deer Park). Though I must say, no matter what the reasons, when walking the trail to Deer Park, it is indeed a blessing it isn't there! And yes, those slopes are indeed very unstable.

[Phil]

[l]

[sarbar]

Wasn't it Wood's book that had a bunch of the history in it? Intresting to read!

[Phil]

[wildernessed]

The "BomB", The Olympics from Lillian Ridge, one of the finest views in America. Hannah and I backpacked a loop out around Moose Lake on a road trip when we lived back in Ohio. I have a pic of the range from that ridge and it's one of my favorites. Nice crapper with a view near Moose Lake.