Forum Index > Trip Reports > Mt. Maude via Leroy Creek 7/20
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wildernessed
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wildernessed
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PostWed Jul 25, 2007 4:33 pm 
Location : N. of Leavenworth / Plain, Wa. Access : Chiwawa River Rd. to the end, Phelps Creek TH Guidebooks: Summit Routes, 75 Scrambles in Washington Maps : Holden GTM, USGS Holden Quad Stats : 14.5 mi, 6300', 13.5 hr. r/t
Mount Maude via Leroy Creek Basin. General route. Follow the trail to the basin, you can keep on it and trend South, it is a well worn trail.
Mount Maude via Leroy Creek Basin. General route. Follow the trail to the basin, you can keep on it and trend South, it is a well worn trail.
I have been wanting to do Mt. Maude for sometime. It is one of those mountains that is distinct in it's appearance and can be seen from most everywhere in Central Washington. If you can see it, then from the top you can see quite alot given it's elevation and location, when the weather cooperates hmmm.gif . Steve P., friend and backpacking partner from Ohio was planning on coming out and I was looking at options, there are so many out here, Mt. Maude was one of them and I wanted him to have a good northwest experience. Steve H., a regular part of the pack had done Mt. Maude via the Carne Mountain High Route, but not the SE gulley from Leroy Creek Basin and we all headed up for the "Maude Experience" winksmile.gif . The weather had been stellar up to the day Steve P. arrived in Washington, then low clouds, cooler temps, and rain shakehead.gif . Kind of like a Nor'easter I jokingly said clown.gif .
Everybody feeling like "Shiney Happy People" in the beginning.
Everybody feeling like "Shiney Happy People" in the beginning.
mtmaude001_edited
mtmaude001_edited
mtmaude006
mtmaude006
mtmaude007
mtmaude007
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mtmaude008_edited
mtmaude009
mtmaude009
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mtmaude010_edited
We were on the Phelps Creek trail early under cloudy, gray skies, with an occasional light drop of rain at times, the trail was wide and comfortable, with maybe five easy stream crossings up to the unmarked Leroy Creek trail just after the large washout which is the bottom of the feared gulley far above. Leroy Creek was a nicer than expected trail, though steep.
mtmaude011_edited
mtmaude011_edited
Our route from the Leroy Creek Trail.
Our route from the Leroy Creek Trail.
We made the basin which was beautiful, real green, many wildflowers and scattered views at times, some Marmots entertained us,
Steve running the gauntlet of wildflowers along the Leroy Creek Trail.
Steve running the gauntlet of wildflowers along the Leroy Creek Trail.
Wildflower filled meadows in Leroy Creek Basin.
Wildflower filled meadows in Leroy Creek Basin.
mtmaude022
mtmaude022
Leroy Creek Basin with 7FJ to the right and a doable route to the left to access Fernow from the South.
Leroy Creek Basin with 7FJ to the right and a doable route to the left to access Fernow from the South.
mtmaude025
mtmaude025
Marmot Porn.
Marmot Porn.
A pass leading down from the Carne Mountain High Route.
A pass leading down from the Carne Mountain High Route.
and we moved on S on a good trail until we hit talus fields and trended SE towards the gulley we saw earlier, eventually coming upon it completely filled with snow and easily crossed, that was sweet considering what we had heard about it from previous hikers.
Trending SE towards the snow filled (currently) gulley.
Trending SE towards the snow filled (currently) gulley.
Our route with options. Cross the gulley, trek below the cliff, take the narrow gulley to the right up on a small bench, then head up for awhile.
Our route with options. Cross the gulley, trek below the cliff, take the narrow gulley to the right up on a small bench, then head up for awhile.
Steve P. working up a short section of class 3 rock from the initial gulley route we took.
Steve P. working up a short section of class 3 rock from the initial gulley route we took.
After the gulley was crossed we trended below a cliff line, then up a narrow gulley gainig the bench above and then tediously picked our way through the loose rock taking the path of least resisitance, as much as possible to the ridge below Mt. Maude and above Ice lakes Basin around 8000'-8200', we were above the saddle. Steve P. got quite the cardiovascular workout, trying to blame it on the elevation out here, but it's just a long hike up through less than "Charmin-like" terrain, we were all a little spent.
Go towards the light.
Go towards the light.
The mountains colon emptying out.
The mountains colon emptying out.
Steve P. resting and trying to capture some views.
Steve P. resting and trying to capture some views.
Ridge across our gulley.
Ridge across our gulley.
mtmaude043
mtmaude043
Is the ridge receeding as we advance ?
Is the ridge receeding as we advance ?
Berg beyond Phelps Ridge.
Berg beyond Phelps Ridge.
Buck
Buck
Working through the loose scree and talus.
Working through the loose scree and talus.
Pinnacle Peak revealed.
Pinnacle Peak revealed.
Maudes lower ridge.
Maudes lower ridge.
Maudes summit area under cover.
Maudes summit area under cover.
We dropped down to the E side of the ridge for a needed lunch break and grabbed some snow to resupply our water, rested and could see the summit of Mt. Maude.
Scrappy old mountain goats feeding on Maudes lower saddle.
Scrappy old mountain goats feeding on Maudes lower saddle.
Rock closer to the summit.
Rock closer to the summit.
It was blue sky directly above us, but blowing low clouds swirled around the mountain and left us with a cloud deck around 8000' plus, obscuring the great long distance views we had hoped to get. We left our packs and made the summit in short order, staying only briefly due to the cool temps (I could see my breath) and obscured views.
Craggy W. side of Maudes ridgeline.
Craggy W. side of Maudes ridgeline.
Steve P. makes his mark on the northwest and the summit register.
Steve P. makes his mark on the northwest and the summit register.
A little coolish and cloudy on the summit of Maude 9082'. Can we get some makeup over here. Geez !
A little coolish and cloudy on the summit of Maude 9082'. Can we get some makeup over here. Geez !
Looking down the ridge from Mt. Maude, with views of the East Ice Lakes Basin Wall where you can drop over from the Carne Mtn. High Route.
Looking down the ridge from Mt. Maude, with views of the East Ice Lakes Basin Wall where you can drop over from the Carne Mtn. High Route.
Entiat Meadows from Mt. Maudes ridge.
Entiat Meadows from Mt. Maudes ridge.
Mt. David left and Whittier Peak far right.
Mt. David left and Whittier Peak far right.
Fortress mountain.
Fortress mountain.
Massie Lake melted out .
Massie Lake melted out .
The crap is kicking up around Glacier Peak.
The crap is kicking up around Glacier Peak.
Red, Chiwawa, and Fortress Peaks.
Red, Chiwawa, and Fortress Peaks.
Name these peaks ?
1 label
Name these peaks ?
Buck mountains best view of the day.
Buck mountains best view of the day.
N and S Spectacle Buttes
N and S Spectacle Buttes
North and South Spectacle Buttes, Ice Lakes, and the Entiat Valley.
North and South Spectacle Buttes, Ice Lakes, and the Entiat Valley.
Upper Ice Lake.
Upper Ice Lake.
Ridge leading to Mt. Maude.
Ridge leading to Mt. Maude.
Something, anything. The cloud deck kept most everything partially or completely hidden, here a brief period where we saw the basin, Phelps Creek drainage, Red, Chiwawa, and Fortress mountains, Spider Glacier, Gap and more.
Something, anything. The cloud deck kept most everything partially or completely hidden, here a brief period where we saw the basin, Phelps Creek drainage, Red, Chiwawa, and Fortress mountains, Spider Glacier, Gap and more.
Fernow 's peak in the clouds from just below Maudes saddle ?
Fernow 's peak in the clouds from just below Maudes saddle ?
Route up 7FJ from Mt. Maudes gulley.
Route up 7FJ from Mt. Maudes gulley.
The trip down was interesting, at least the dirt was moist so you could sort of sink some and do a controlled slide, if you could find a vein of it. Eventually we were back on almost level ground and down the trail when a light rain started and followed us all the way to the TH.
Steve H. pondering alternatives coming down.
Steve H. pondering alternatives coming down.
Red Mountain and ridge to Chiwawa. Spider Glacier and Spider Gap below. Plummer Mtn. far right background ?
Red Mountain and ridge to Chiwawa. Spider Glacier and Spider Gap below. Plummer Mtn. far right background ?
Steve P., "Beast from the East" just crossing the gulley.
Steve P., "Beast from the East" just crossing the gulley.
Waterfall in the Upper Basin.
Waterfall in the Upper Basin.
South section of the basin, beautiful, with rocks, trees, and wildflowers. Trailed to the gulley.
South section of the basin, beautiful, with rocks, trees, and wildflowers. Trailed to the gulley.
Back at the basin and out of the mountains toilet, looking up a Seven Fingered Jack.
Back at the basin and out of the mountains toilet, looking up a Seven Fingered Jack.
Looking back at our route from Leroy Creek Trail. The snow finger left of center is the gulley, currently filled in.
Looking back at our route from Leroy Creek Trail. The snow finger left of center is the gulley, currently filled in.
It was a great trip, even with limited views, good to get out with both Steve's, and to give Steve P. a good perspective on Washington hiking and scrambling hockeygrin.gif . I think he likes it. up.gif up.gif

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Backpacker Joe
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PostWed Jul 25, 2007 5:14 pm 
As a day hike. You guys are bums for sure. Nice job. up.gif

"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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wildernessed
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PostWed Jul 25, 2007 5:18 pm 
BPJ, do you want to see the fish I saw jumping in Ice Lakes ? hockeygrin.gif

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Backpacker Joe
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PostWed Jul 25, 2007 5:26 pm 
wildernessed wrote:
BPJ, do you want to see the fish I saw jumping in Ice Lakes ? hockeygrin.gif
Ya wise guy. I was tired when I went in there as a three day hike! HA! doh.gif

"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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Sabahsboy
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PostWed Jul 25, 2007 5:42 pm 
Breathtaking and grand! Thank you for the visual adventure. You guys may have been exhausted and you delivered the goods! Bravo! Closest I got: Upper Ice Lake one mid-October day in early '80's. Camped way below and day hiked to Ice Lakes, did a few sketches and snow began to fall. I hustled down to camp, had hot food and snuggled in my tent. Awoke during night with tent kissing my nose, all slung low by heavy snow. Waded through snowfall back to TH, 9 miles, next morning. At TH there was very little snow. Company was mostly hunting parties hustling out. Ride back became grueling....Snoqualmie Pass was about to shut down; jacknifed semi's nearly everywhere. It was not fun (the Pass crossing), but the time up to the meadows under 7 Fingured Jack, lingering golden larch and all, was superb. Thanks again....memories were jogged by your TR. Now I say, "I wish I could have....Mt. Maude..."!

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Tazz
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PostWed Jul 25, 2007 8:31 pm 
good work you guys!! Rob you are rockin this year!! Thanks for the report. this is one place I NEED to visit! Good shots!! up.gif

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GeoTom
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PostWed Jul 25, 2007 8:35 pm 
Thanks Rob up.gif Dani and I are thinking about this and/or 7-Fingered Jack this weekend. We'll see what happens...

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Justus S.
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PostWed Jul 25, 2007 9:10 pm 
cool.gif Nicely done!

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Aligeo
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PostWed Jul 25, 2007 10:22 pm 
Great report! That is such a beautiful area! I have done Maude in a day and it was quite the butt kicker. I'm definitely not in that shape now. You guys are awesome up.gif up.gif up.gif

And the end of all our searching shall be to return to the place where we started and know it for the first time. - T.S. Eliot
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wildernessed
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PostThu Jul 26, 2007 7:21 am 
Thanks for the comments all, the area is ripe for wildflowers, the basin terrain beautiful, the gulley easily passable, a short initial steep section past the gulley, then just a little tricky on that rock, it's so loose but once the dirt hardens it will be worse. We wanted better views, but I think if you had too much sun you would bake on the rock, so the cool temps, light winds helped alot. There were goat tracks up there, but no goats at the time. I didn't actually feel as beat as some recent trips. I am looking forward to working a little further down Phelps and Entiat ridges. Views into the Emerald Peaks were great, and a sweet view of Pinnacle Peak. up.gif A fall trip via Carne would be nice.

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wildernessed
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PostFri Jul 27, 2007 8:27 am 

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silence
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PostFri Jul 27, 2007 8:59 am 
Go towards the light.
Go towards the light.
lol.gif Ya always make the best of even a bad weather day -- another great effort!! Awesome scenery.

PHOTOS FILMS Keep a good head and always carry a light bulb. – Bob Dylan
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JimK
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PostFri Jul 27, 2007 9:13 am 
Nice report Rob.
Quote:
A fall trip via Carne would be nice.
What's too like in the fall?
Mt. Maude
Mt. Maude
Larch
Larch
More Larch
More Larch

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wildernessed
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PostFri Jul 27, 2007 10:48 am 
Jim. I remember your report well, it was beautiful up there as your pics show. I would be into that trip as a fall excursion, Steve and GOG did it in that time period also. Several other friends have dropped down into Ice Lakes from that route. Imagine a car to car from Carne via the High Route, dropping down into Ice Lakes, then coming out via Larch, Myrtle, or Cow Creek Meadows into the Entiat or Basalt Pass area. up.gif

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BulgarianInWA
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PostFri Jul 27, 2007 1:35 pm 
Great report! Always love to see pictures from this area, it is one of my top 3 favorite hikes in Washington together with the Enchantments and Lewis/Wing lakes. I also did it in the fall as a day hike, climbed Maude via the West Face (because couldn't find a way to cross the steep new gully and kept going up wink.gif, but descended the normal route. Here are a few pics, including Leroy Basin from high up on the West Face and the upper Ice Lake.
bonanza2
bonanza2
leroybasinhigh
leroybasinhigh
uppericelk2
uppericelk2
larches3
larches3
glaciermassielk
glaciermassielk

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