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Sadie's Driver Sadie's Driver
Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 1763 | TRs | Pics Location: Welcome Pass |
Happy New Year, all!!!
What better way to ring the New Year than joining Jim K on his annual trek up Tiger Mountain? After my last experience joining him on this jaunt on New Years Eve, I was skeptical I think it was 3 years ago and we were in one of the biggest, torrential rainstorms I think I have ever done on a hike!!! But, he would be redeemed today! We decided on a one-way. Left one car at Exit 20 area and then drove over to Chirico Trailhead - that would take us up and over a series of ridges on our way to Tiger 1 and 2. The hike was brown when we started, but at about 1500' or so, we hit snow and had it all the way until we dropped down on the other side.A more civilized Chirico trail these days View south on route up to Poo Poo Looking west toward Seattle from Poo Poo point
We met one guy coming down from Poo Poo and then behind us was a young woman heading up. That was it until we got to Tiger 1 summit. However, I was a bit dismayed when we reached Poo Poo to find that if we wanted to dispatch with those irratating noisy hikers that frequent the trails, we couldn't do it from here.Damn, where the heck can we launch the noisy hikers, then?
Oh well, maybe when the horses leave. We didn't linger long.A "cool" picnic spot
So, on we headed towards Tiger 1 via the back way and Jim's "little secret" route - my lips are sealed. Branch bridges 15 miles from where? What one view? Holiday greetings . . . A mix of signs One of several crossings of the TMT The back way . . . Frosty route up the south side of Tiger 1
And we reached Tiger 1Tiger 1 summit
where we came upon a couple of guys who had driven up the road and were working on the towers - I don't care how sunny it was, it had to be cold!
Tough job -
We caught the trail from the summit to head to the Hiker's Hut - but not before we were greeted by abominable tree people.Put on a happy (snow) face . . .
and more lovely views of the frosty forest . . .Can't see the forest for the . . . .
Soon, we were in an icy winter palace with some lovely views and celebrations.Solid ice along chain link fence on Tiger 1 Igloo on Tiger 1 Peering through ice to towers and blue sky Sign outside Hiker Hut - horizontal ice Mt. Rainier from Tiger 1
A toast to the New Year and more trails to come . . .A bit of early New Year's cheer! Cheers (caught mid-sandwich) - to a better 2008!
After a lovely lunch - a solo hiker happened through - we were off again for our next destination.The lane from Tiger 1 to Tiger 2 Looking to Tiger 2 from Tiger 1 - hmmm a little black cloud resting over
Just as we were approaching the towers on Tiger 2 - a bunch of ice broke off of the guy wires dumping a huge amount of frozen snow/ice on the trail - missing us by about, oh, 10 seconds!Ice on wires
and then, as we were walking past the summit of Tiger 2Summit of Tiger 2
around the back of the towers, another HUGE dump of snow/ice dropped from about 40' up - got us moving quickly! But we took our time to take in a few lovely sights on our way down.Looking North/Northeast on the way off of Tiger 2 Just keep looking up . . . A winter wonderland
But, you have to keep moving - Fred -You gotta' move Fred, don't let the moss grow on ya' . . . .
We decided to take the Lingering Trail (used to be Lingering Loop) to avoid the mud on the regular route - another trail I had never been on. As we headed down, we ran into three dogs (a chocolate lab, a black lab and another dog I never did see well) that were all alone. We never did find their people, although we came across some folks who weren't attached to the dogs. I hope they find their humans! Got back to the car and drove back to our starting point and there's a good reason why this is a hang-glider's paradise.At least a half-dozen here today Long way to carry those 'gliders Dropping in for New Year's celebration Packing up . .
What a glorious day to be out. Even Tiger was inspiring! Cheers.
Four-paw buddy lets me tag along!
Four-paw buddy lets me tag along!
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Slide Alder Slayer Member
Joined: 14 Jan 2002 Posts: 1960 | TRs | Pics
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So how much of a microwave tan did you all get from the tiger towers?
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Sadie's Driver Sadie's Driver
Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 1763 | TRs | Pics Location: Welcome Pass |
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Sadie's Driver
Sadie's Driver
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Mon Dec 31, 2007 8:27 pm
Zapped on Tiger
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Slide Alder Slayer wrote: | So how much of a microwave tan did you all get from the tiger towers? |
Well, looks like I will be glowing in the dark for some time to come! I think we over-stayed the 30 second time limit!!!
Four-paw buddy lets me tag along!
Four-paw buddy lets me tag along!
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naturealbeing Member
Joined: 05 Dec 2004 Posts: 1565 | TRs | Pics Location: Great Mystery |
Ice Cool
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Bryan K Shameless Peakbagger
Joined: 29 Sep 2005 Posts: 5129 | TRs | Pics Location: Alaska |
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Bryan K
Shameless Peakbagger
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Mon Dec 31, 2007 9:18 pm
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Hey Driver,
I bet you weren't far behind me on Tiger 1. I think I left there at about 11:00 and made my back Tiger's 2 and 3.
What a great day to get up there and enjoy the views
Happy New Year!!!!!!!!
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nuclear_eggset Member
Joined: 02 Jul 2006 Posts: 2206 | TRs | Pics Location: Eastside |
Sweet! I particularly like the transition from no-snow to snow.
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Malachai Constant Member
Joined: 13 Jan 2002 Posts: 16092 | TRs | Pics Location: Back Again Like A Bad Penny |
We probably saw some of you all, did the High School, Section Line, Railroad Grade, Poo Poo Loop. Magic in the sun and snow
"You do not laugh when you look at the mountains, or when you look at the sea." Lafcadio Hearn
"You do not laugh when you look at the mountains, or when you look at the sea." Lafcadio Hearn
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Magellan Brutally Handsome
Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 13116 | TRs | Pics Location: Inexorable descent |
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Magellan
Brutally Handsome
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Mon Dec 31, 2007 11:21 pm
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I knew Jim wasn't kidding in his rime report the other day, but to see it is something else. I'm guessing a lot had melted by this day. Nice trip and great photos. Thanks guys!
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Sadie's Driver Sadie's Driver
Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 1763 | TRs | Pics Location: Welcome Pass |
Four-paw buddy lets me tag along!
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JimK Member
Joined: 07 Feb 2002 Posts: 5606 | TRs | Pics Location: Ballard |
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JimK
Member
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Fri Jan 04, 2008 10:31 am
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I have a lot of the same photos as the Driver. Here are a few that are a little different:
What Am I?
All 30 of my photos are here: Tiger Snow Report And Photos
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Gabigabs Trail Breaker
Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Posts: 841 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle |
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Gabigabs
Trail Breaker
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Fri Jan 04, 2008 11:28 am
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Looks magical with all the snow and frost.
Life is simple... Eat, Sleep, Hike!
Life is simple... Eat, Sleep, Hike!
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raz2sea Daddy RAZ
Joined: 04 Dec 2007 Posts: 1060 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle |
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raz2sea
Daddy RAZ
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Fri Jan 04, 2008 5:16 pm
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Now that's impressive, the ice on those towers would definetly be worth the trip for me...now where to get those snowshoes...
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puzzlr Mid Fork Rocks
Joined: 13 Feb 2007 Posts: 7220 | TRs | Pics Location: Stuck in the middle |
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puzzlr
Mid Fork Rocks
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Fri Jan 04, 2008 5:33 pm
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Those are spectacular ice conditions you found -- thanks for all the great shots. I also like the unusual contrast between the trunks and branches in this one:
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Tazz Member
Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 7902 | TRs | Pics
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Tazz
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Fri Jan 04, 2008 5:34 pm
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sweet i want to go now...
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Sadie's Driver Sadie's Driver
Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 1763 | TRs | Pics Location: Welcome Pass |
Four-paw buddy lets me tag along!
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