Forum Index > Trip Reports > Townsend, Welch, Hawk -- spectacular and FUN! 9-8-07
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cartman
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PostMon Sep 10, 2007 1:43 pm 
Not having been to the Olympics in several years, I went with Justus S. and naturealbeing to check out this area, where I'd never been. This fun, outstanding trip got me thinking about why I (and others) do what we do in the outdoors--more on that later. Note: the Green Trails has the TH elevation marked as 2900', but reading the contours, it's actually at 3400' (perhaps 2900 is the lower Townsend TH?). We left early and arrived at the TH at 8am. Up the nice trail nearly 3000' vertical to Townsend summit by 10. I'd forgotten what great open views you have of the sound and all the volcanos from over there. You can see from Victoria all the way to St. Helens, with the whole sound laid out before you. Down a short way and then over to the Townsend/Welch saddle, then up a bootpath and a bit of scrambling to the top of Welch. Down the south ridge of Welch we had a choice: continue along the ridge and up over a bump towards the low saddle east of Hawk, or drop into the basin above Silver Lake and cut more directly over to the low saddle. We went for Option 2, and crossed meadows and a boulder field up to the ridge east of the saddle. Since we'd started early and were in no rush, here we took a long break to just enjoy the day. Finally we headed down to the saddle and traversed left and up around the first bump, then up to the ridge running to the summit of Hawk. Though just running right over the bump looked like it would go as well. Good bootpath on the ridge to the summit. Going down, we opted for the path traversing the scree basin on Hawk's east face down toward Silver Lake, which petered out in boulders. Working down through boulders and mild brush got us easily to Silver Lake, where we caught the trail at the far end all the way back to the car. This is one of the best trips I've ever done. The great views, sun, fun terrain, good company, and No Damn Choss combined for a spectacular and memorable day. I realized when I was out there that too many times I've found myself on junky peaks thinking, "I'd just like to get this over with", but that on this trip I was thinking that I wished it would never end. Got me to thinking that I'd rather have fun than ticking something off a list. I was surprised it took a little ol' trip to the Olympics to wake me up to what I'd been missing out on on some of my trips this year (no fault to any of my partners). All three of us agreed that we need to get over there more. September is my favorite month for many reasons, with the mild temps, great colors and no bugs, and this was a highlight for all these reasons and more. Eric J. Johnson

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Phil
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PostMon Sep 10, 2007 1:58 pm 
Wow, I've had that very trip on my to-do list ( but with descent into Tull and back around) for years. Glad to read about it ... sounds as nice as I'd imagined. Pics?

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naturealbeing
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PostMon Sep 10, 2007 5:35 pm 
Thanks cartman for writing a fine TR. It was great to get out with you and Justus again. I can see why people get hooked on the Olymipics, it's an endless sea of ridges, lakes, meadows, and mountains, with plenty of flowers and wildlife to keep ones attention on full time. Otherwise known as sensory overload. I can hardly wait to get me some more of that Olyimpic porn. Here's some images for your viewing pleasure. Hawk Peak, as seen from the saddle S of Silver Lake.
Pano from the summit of Hawk Peak. Pano from the summit of Mt. Townsend. Pano of Hawk Peak, as seen from the summit of Welch Peak.
Pano of Hawk Peak, as seen from the S ridge of Welch Peak.
Silver Lake from the S shore.
Pano of Mt. Townsend, Welch Peak, and Silver Lake.

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Phil
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PostMon Sep 10, 2007 8:42 pm 
Fantastic pics! up.gif Did the summit register make its first cross-sound trip?

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wildernessed
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PostMon Sep 10, 2007 8:52 pm 
up.gif Nice, but looking at those pictures oddly enough that area looks alot like places in The Chelan Sawtooth. Must be the time of year. hockeygrin.gif

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Justus S.
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PostMon Sep 10, 2007 10:04 pm 
Indeed a really fun trip. up.gif up.gif Thanks for the write up Cartman. NB great pano shots as usual. NB it was certainly nice to get out with you again after such a long time. I'm certainly looking forward to my next Olympics trip. agree.gif Ok, some additional pics.
Guys heading up Townsend
Guys heading up Townsend
early morning view from Townsend
early morning view from Townsend
Constance on the way up to Welch
Constance on the way up to Welch
Hawk from near Welch
Hawk from near Welch
Townsend from Welch
Townsend from Welch
Constance from Welch
Constance from Welch
taking it easy
taking it easy
NB on the summit of Hawk
NB on the summit of Hawk
Cartman making his way to the summit of Hawk
Cartman making his way to the summit of Hawk
leaving
leaving
Worthington from near Hawk
Worthington from near Hawk
Townsend and Silver on way down
Townsend and Silver on way down

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naturealbeing
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PostTue Sep 11, 2007 8:24 am 
Phil, Glad you enjoyed the pics. In regards to your comment "Did the summit register make its first cross-sound trip?" I'm guessing you're talking about the NWHTSR, if so, if you check out the NWHTSR thread, you'll see that it's still on Alaska Mtn. wildernessed, you weren't suppose to notice, this was a covert top secret operation in the Chelan Sawtooth Range and was titled Townsend, Welch, Hawk. For Petes sake don't blow our cover. Justus, nice shots! here's a close up shot I took of you from the location that you took a shot of me on Hawk.
Justus on rocky ridge SE of Hawk Peak 9.8.07.
Justus on rocky ridge SE of Hawk Peak 9.8.07.
Here's a few more shots to add to the mix.
Silver Lake Close Up, as seen from the summit of Hawk Peak 9.8.07.
Silver Lake Close Up, as seen from the summit of Hawk Peak 9.8.07.
Red Rock Blue Sky
Red Rock Blue Sky
Amanita reading for lift off.
Amanita reading for lift off.
Townsend & Welch
Townsend & Welch

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cartman
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cartman
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PostTue Sep 11, 2007 9:19 am 
wildernessed wrote:
up.gif Nice, but looking at those pictures oddly enough that area looks alot like places in The Chelan Sawtooth. Must be the time of year. hockeygrin.gif
Thanks for the pics, guys! W, the richness of the colors we saw was greater than the pics make it appear. It was more green, with many varying shades. The eastside Cascades would be much more brown.

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