[Randy]

We assembled a mighty party or 4 to tackle this seldom climbed peak just south of Dingford Creek in the MFK Snoqualmie drainage. Besides myself, also along for the trip were Craig (Beave), Mike Collins, and Tom (yes, admin Tom). We left the Dingford trailhead about 10 minutes to 0800 and made our way down the trail to the MFK where we crossed on the nice, big bridge. Upon hitting the MFK trail we turned left and proceeded about 300 yards before heading uphill into the brush. Actually, the brush was seldom bad and almost always avoidable -- the only significant obstacles for most of the route were various sizes of cliff bands and rock outcroppings, but never anything really, really horrible. Our basic route was to ascend that SW trending ridge the fades out around 3200'. Consistent snow started around 3000' (6-12 inches). We continued to ascend in a general SW direction until on top of point 5082'. Unfortunately, the connecting ridge to point 5258' is not completely hospitable and 3 of us decided to traverse 150' or so below these points while our 4th member committed himself to the ridge and was only able to remove himself from these sketchy rocks after taking a "leap of faith" which amazingly worked out in the end . Anyhow...we traversed and traversed until just below and NE of our little summit and started the seemingly endless slog up the final 350' or so. The snow was nice and deep and the going slow, but credit must be given to Mike and Craig who have kept themselves in much better shape than me this winter and took on the majority of the trail breaking duties. The four of us arrived on top around 1300 or just a little after. Noteworthy views included just about everything in the ALW to the north and east (Big Snow Mountain and Garfield probably the most outstanding) and Kaleetan and Lower Wildcat Lake looked good to the south. Temperatures were in the low 20's on top and as we complained of frozen hands we tried our best to take a few pictures and fuel up with candy bars and assorted sandwiches. Our descent route was much the same as what we used on the way in until about 2200' or so. Here we diverted more to the west and popped back out onto the MFK trail about 75 yards west of the bridge. All in all, a great day with a good bunch of guys and of course near perfect weather.

[Tom]

Low 20's? Hmm, must have been pre-wind chill, I'm not sure my fingers have thawed completely. 1-2 pics was the max before fingers were completely numb. This one takes the cake though. Needless to say, Mike is the one of the most entertaining hiking companions you'll find.

[Stefan]

Awesome beard growth!

[Mike Collins]

I believe it is a prototype toilet seat made by Native Americans. If I had known I wouldn't see it again on the downclimb I might have carried it to the top to sell on eBay in the collectables section.

[Backpacker Joe]

How about some pics from on top guys! Sheesh, ya gotta BEG for these things or what?!?!? TB

[Randy]

Pictures!

Kaleetan

Ascent of the Admin

View East

View to the North

[Backpacker Joe]

Army Tanks Randy. Any shots of the lakes you saw? TB

[Randy]

None from me. I had only a few seconds to shoot pictures before my hands froze, so I kept the lens on the mountains instead of down on the lakes. Tom has a lot of lake picutres I bet. Actually, there weren't all that many lakes visible during the trip.

[Bushwacker]

Nice pics! Not a bad ad for MSR. BW

[Tom]

Finally got around to putting up my pics. As far as lakes go, I only identified Lower Wildcat and Derrick. While we were conversing on the ride home, the other guys said Upper Wildcat was visible but I think they may have been mistaking it for Derrick (or I didn't poke my head between enough trees).

[Mike Collins]

You are right Tom...I was confusing Lower Wildcat for Upper Wildcat. Thanks for the pictures. Particularly Garfield and East Garfield

[polarbear]

[Dave Weyrick]

I saw several other Ents in a recent movie... Great pics guys, thanks. Any sign of the old Wildcat Trail on the lower portion of your route?

[Tom]

Well, I know some of you were hoping for more shots of the lakes so I decided to go back up again today and shoot some more pics. Here's Elbow, Shamrock, Horseshoe, Little Derrick, Derrick, Hatchet, Caroline, Upper Wildcat, Lower Wildcat, and Point 5311', fresh out of the digital oven.

9 labels

Elbow, Shamrock, Horseshoe, Little Derrick, Derrick, Hatchet, Caroline, Upper Wildcat, Lower Wildcat, and Point 5311'

[Backpacker Joe]

Thomas, are you a pilot and you never told us, or what? MR.! I'd like you to to show me where you can see elbow in that picture Mr.. I see L. Wildcat, U. Wildcat, Caroline, PART of Hatchet, Derrick, KIND of horseshoe, part of Shamrock, and I dont see elbow in there. Ive been to all of them so I have a pretty good perspective of them. TB