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Schmidt Altitude Whippet Entourage
Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Posts: 803 | TRs | Pics Location: The Quah |
Though our initial 4th of July backpack plans had been a little more extravagant, some hitches were hit in the road that caused us to scale back. The goal was still the same, though: to summit a peak that would enable us to have a prime viewing spot for fireworks in the puget sound area. Consider that mission, accomplished.
Day 1 : 7-4-07
Tisha had a class to get back for Thursday night, so we headed out for the easily accessible Silver Lakes area to hang out around the peaks there. After much hectic packing and repacking antics, 3pm struck and we were on the trail, making our way to upper Silver Lake. Though the day was hot, the trees made ample cover for us to make good time to the lake. From there, it was onward to the saddle in order to scout out for the best prime view of fireworks extravaganza.
Tisha runs into some stinging nettle Silver Lake Silver Lake Tisha at Silver Lake Jeremy heads up from Silver Lake, leaving all that fishing behind
After some scouting, we found a prime spot atop one of the unnamed peaks NE of the saddle (6030 - anyone know the name - we decided upon Silver?). We were stoked for the awesome fireworks that should be all around us that night.
Rowena checks out the Silver Lake Pass Kiefer breathes in the fresh mountain aroma Jeremy on unnamed peak above Silver Lake Above Silver Lake
Once the prime camp spot was located, packs were left behind in order to summit Welch Peak, 6110, hitting a minor peak along the way - about 5940. Some fun scrambling - we especially enjoyed the catwalk up to the main Welch Peak (6110).
Looking at Welch Peaks Jeremy on way to Welch Peak catwalk Tisha on way to Welsh Peak Jeremy at Welsh Peak summit Rowena is one hot whippet! Tish with Mt Townsend behind from Welsh
Once Welsh was summitted, it was back to camp to set up for the fireworks show. We checked back in with nature's refrigerator to see how our celebratory 4th of July champagne was doing while the whippets took a snooze.
Nature's Refrigerator Whippets find the nalgene to be a suitable pillow
Once camp was setup, it was time to eat dinner and enjoy the show
Kiefer at camp Tisha enjoys the pre-show beverage A little smoochy, smoochy for Kiefer Sunset lights over Straits of Juan De Fuca Sunset over Townsend Dinner preparations Rainier light show Kiefer needs a touch-up Sunset lights Sunset lights Jeremy at camp Seattle fireworks Jeremy enjoys the show Lights on display Seattle at night Tisha keeps warm
Day 2 : 7-5-07
Restless sleep as always, but it was a very warm and buggy morning (lots of deer flies! ) so getting up was a chore. After a pleasant breakfast, we set out to summit Hawk Peak and head out Tull Canyon (something we'd planned to do in a day - but the fireworks show made up for the longer journey.) We did a little counter-elevation, filled up our waterbottles at a snow-melt creek, then headed up the especially loose rock to the saddle S-SE of Silver Lake.
Looking towards Hawk Peak and saddle route Jeremy on way to saddle
After the loose rock (the real tread was still a bit under snow), we had a nice break at the saddle to snack and snooze.
Baker from saddle Whippets snooze Hawk Peak from saddle Inner Constance from saddle
From the saddle, there was tread to follow to the area above Tull Canyon pass (or Worthington-Hawk saddle as called by Olympic Mountain climbing guide). Here, we dropped the packs to follow the traverse up to Hawk Peak for our final summit of the trip.
Silver Lakes from way to Hawk Peak Baker from way to Hawk Peak Looking back towards pack drop-off point Jeremy and whippets heading to Hawk Peak Constance from Hawk Peak Jeremy on Hawk Peak Tisha on Hawk Peak Back to the packs! Cool flowers
We followed tread until it peetered out, then made our way down the valley of Tull Canyon. The route basically heads down the center of the valley, eventually hitting trail on the right side of the creek (when heading down) until it gets close the the wreckage of the bomber where it crosses the creek before descending down to the Tubal Cain trail.
Jeremy heads down Tull Canyon Wreckage camp sites Looking back up the canyon
Once we were back on trail, it was quite easy mileage back to our Explorer - though we must say the rhodies were making quite the distracting display.
Tish and rhodies on Tubal Cain trail
We made it back to our vehicle at 12pm, and it was quite hot on the trail by then!!
Stats:
Mileage : ?
Elevation Gain: About 5200'
Time Spent Hiking: 9.5 hrs
Peaks: 3
Fish Caught: 0
Mines: 1
Plane Wreckage: 1
Whining Whippets: 2
Mosquitoes Fed: About 1 million
P.S. Tazz - It's not just you - we've noticed the slightly off-kilter pictures from the S3 no matter what we try...
"Forest 101: These big wood stick things are called trees. The big rocks are called mountains, and the little rocks are their babies." Elliott from Open Season
"Forest 101: These big wood stick things are called trees. The big rocks are called mountains, and the little rocks are their babies." Elliott from Open Season
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Backpacker Joe Blind Hiker
Joined: 16 Dec 2001 Posts: 23956 | TRs | Pics Location: Cle Elum |
Great report as usual guys.
"If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time or die by suicide."
— Abraham Lincoln
"If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time or die by suicide."
— Abraham Lincoln
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ree Member
Joined: 29 Jun 2004 Posts: 4399 | TRs | Pics
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ree
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Fri Jul 06, 2007 7:18 am
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Very entertaining pictures! Jeremy getting a puppy kiss is very funny.
Incredible view of the sound.
Your avatar cracks me up.
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GeoTom Member
Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 3215 | TRs | Pics Location: Earth |
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GeoTom
Member
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Fri Jul 06, 2007 7:22 am
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Very nice. I like the Nalgene pillow for the dogs. They can find almost anything to be comfortable.
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Randy Cube Rat
Joined: 18 Dec 2001 Posts: 2910 | TRs | Pics Location: Near the Siamangs |
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Randy
Cube Rat
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Fri Jul 06, 2007 12:14 pm
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Nice work. Jeremy, I need one of those pink Nalgenes!
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Matt Tea, Earl Grey, Hot
Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 4307 | TRs | Pics Location: Shoreline |
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Matt
Tea, Earl Grey, Hot
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Fri Jul 06, 2007 1:30 pm
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Nice plan and execution.
“As beacons mountains burned at evening.” J.R.R. Tolkien
“As beacons mountains burned at evening.” J.R.R. Tolkien
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Ancient Ambler Member
Joined: 15 May 2007 Posts: 1092 | TRs | Pics Location: Bainbridge Island |
Very cool trip. Thanks for the great photos.
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