[Sadie's Driver]

Sadie - aka "The Thief" - was seen on Arrowhead Mountain today.  There was some suspicious activity.

She maintains there were others involved.

and that all of her treats were rewards - stealing was not involved.



OK, OK - the Driver had to get your attention somehow - because there likely will be about 8 trip reports about Arrowhead today.  All from our group.  Stats and pics follow.

Beautiful day.  We met (all TWELVE of us!) at the Stevens Pass Nordic center around 8:50 a.m.  Group included Opus and his two friends; Geo Tom; Carol - Silly Traveler; Kolleen & Bob - Trail Pair; Brad and Joanna - White Dog; Jim K; the Driver; Skier Rick; - and the four-legged friends Jasper, Holly and Sadie.  We consolidated gear and people into a fewer number of cars and shuttled to the trailhead.  You have to drive a couple of miles to a pull out on the north side of the road to park.  No longer can you park at the DOT maintenance shed - which would give you access to the western ascent to Arrowhead.  We knew parking would be at a premium- and it was.  There was one other group parked at the same spot and the three of them were headed to Arrowhead, too.  We crossed Hwy 2 to get on our way at 9:15 a.m. or so.

Before long we reached the railroad tracks and then headed up.

We were on "A" route - not "THE" route - but a route none-the-less.  We climbed and climbed through the trees; along a creek and finally onto an avi chute - which was rock hard.

We were too far west . . .

We got above the avi chute and into some very, very steep areas that required an ice ax for ascending.  Opus had one, but his friends did not, so they chose to turn back at this point - we were still a good 1/2 mile from the ridge that would lead to the summit - even though we were already at 5000'+.  K and the Driver took turns breaking trail, since they were the only ones that didn't break through and slide with each step and could make some steps for the others.  Finally, we reached the ridge and found a nice spot for a bite to eat.
From here, it was an easy ridge walk to the summit - where we saw the party that was parked down on Hwy 2 by us.  I think our group of now 9 was a bit overwhelming for them!  But, thank you for the wonderful trail you made and that we were able to follow all the way back along the ridge and down - without having to re-trace our own "route".  Stats for the day:  3400' gain; 7 miles(?) RT; 6+ hours car-to-car - many false starts and route revisions that delayed us.  But it was such a beautiful day and the views were so stellar - who cares?  Everyone got back safely.  Rain greeted us back in Seattle - glad we got this one in.    Sadie is resting comfortably under house arrest!    Here are some pics to enjoy. 

Hikers leaving the summit:


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Four-paw buddy lets me tag along!

[detekt]

Did Skier Rick get some turns?  I was over at Stevens Pass resort today enjoying nice full-on spring conditions.

[Magellan]

Supersweet!  Way to get after it, all y'all.  I'm pretty sure I've seen one or more of those pooches on a 'most wanted' poster.  What is the reward for turning them in?

[twodogdad]

Sure beats grading midterms... Your Thursday night libations must have gladdened the weather gods: the light in some of those pics is exquisite. 2DD

[Type E]

I am immensely jealous of such great weather. I have a feeling I won't be nearly that lucky on Monday.

[wildernessed]

Very nice, I'll have to get over and do Arrowhead at some point.  

[WhiteDog]

For those of you unaware of the recent felonious activities in the Cascades, here is the "Press Release" that started this all:

The Associated Press
Sadie (and her driver) have once again come under the scrutiny of local police.  Sadie recently was busted for sandwich theft on the Pratt Mountain trail and is already suspected in a new case involving chocolate chip cookies on Rattlesnake ridge.  This time it took the Sheriff’s Office several months to catch the elusive golden retriever.  A public appeal for help on WTA and NWhikers.net reaped hundreds of tips from hikers who had their food snatched.  Sadie is currently being held under house arrest in the Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle and prosecutors were being asked to consider additional lunch theft charges as more victims come forward.  The Sheriff’s Office said that Sadie may have had an accomplice in at least some of the crimes but detectives had not yet positively identified the driver of the getaway car.  "Trail Pair", long time acquaintances of Sadie say that she was always a well behaved golden retriever, impeccably groomed; a friendly and good natured dog.  “We never suspected a thing”, quipped Kolleen.  Undercover Deputy "Hiker Jim" said “She could win your trust and then steal your lunch as soon as you let your guard down”.  "Sadie’s driver"  couldn’t be reached for comment.

[dacker]

[Sadie's Driver]

detekt:

[Opus]

Gah, such great weather and I didn't even get to the ridge for the views!      Curse you Arrowhead mountain!  You haven't beaten me yet, I'll be back.  I'm already planning my "Arrowhead Mtn Revenge" trip next break in the weather! 


It was great to finally get out with all of you guys!

[GeoTom]

I don't have much to add other than a few photographs. Jasper had no comment regarding Sadie's lunch thefts as he was too busy chomping down on questionably obtained pieces of cheese.


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This space for rent

[Sadie's Driver]

Opus -

Loved the route finding pic!  Question:  How many hikers does it take to read a map . . . ?  Answer:  Obviously several more!!!  But the end result was worth the misguided route!!!  s.d.

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Four-paw buddy lets me tag along!

[silly_traveler]

It was an awesome trip with a slight detour    This is a really nice summit with 360 degree views!  You really have to see this with your own eyes    I'm glad we made it to the summit    It was a very challenging trip for me.  I now have a new elevation gain record for snowshoeing        3300 ft. plus our detour ups and downs 

Fun trip everyone, thanks for the company 

Thanks to GeoTom for driving me    And yup, of course we got some Vinaccio hot chocolate afterwards 

[TrailPair]

What a great trip! It had it all! The only thing we can add is a few more photos. Since we descended by the normal route, we would guess that where we met the RR tracks was at least a mile east of where we parked.

An outstanding
view of the Chiwakums from this summit!

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This thing called work is interfering with my play

[silly_traveler]

You forgot that awesome picture of K on the summit!!!

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♫ You have brains in your head.  You have feet in your shoes.  You can steer yourself any direction you choose.  And you're the one who will decide where you'll go.  Oh the places you'll go. - Dr. Seuss