[wildernessed]

Location : Wenatchee Access : Miller St. > Appalacha Way Map : GTM - Mission Ridge / Wenatchee Stats : 9.6 mi, 3100', 8.25 hr.

Pitcher Mtn

I had done this 3907' peak, a year or two ago in late Spring from Saddle Rock following the ridgeline N > W > S. It looks so close and can be seen prominently from Central Wenatchee. Once out there on the open ridges, I found it to be further than one would think. it was over 10 miles r/t. I looked at a different way of going at it, to just get out and do a snowshoe trip, going SSE up Dry Gulch, gaining the ridge and coming in slightly to the S.

Rock formation near the parking area.

One of the spires on Saddle Rock.

Rock formations on the back side of Rooster Comb.

Dry Gulch with Pitcher Mtn.

Bee hive Mtn.

Steve and I were heading up the road around 0915 , able to initially boot in a mile maybe before going off trail and finally putting on snowshoes. We gained the ridge through deep powder snow and some sections of dry wind slabs over powder, that broke easily, but added to the work, mainly on the windward side and apex of the ridge. It was generally overcast, mid twenties, with only light wind at times. The ridges are wide enough that it seems your on a plateau, alot of open country. It was a worker and after 4.5 hr., I had to stop , it was exhausting and lunch time was past due.

Tracks across the broad flat ridge.

Meandering through the plateau.

Scrub brush and old fruit trees.

Steve plowing up a ridge.

Chumstick Mtn (near end of ridge) and Sugarloaf Mtn (far end of ridge)

Trenching

We ate just below the final push to the summit area 200-300' above us. After some rest and lunch, I felt better, and we made our way to the summit area. It looked cold everywhere, especially with the overcast, so we spent maybe 5 minutes up there, the summit or highpoint sits back and the top of the mountain is large and plateau-ish angling back to the SSW where it connects with a series of 4k' highpooints via a long ridgeline.

Looking out from the summit plateau.

Looking a little snowy and cool on Mission Ridge / Peak

Looking at The Wenatchee Valley from the East slope of Pitcher Mtn.

Coming back was much easier, but not like walking, we were thinking of looping around, but with the time and snow conditions, following our broken path back seemed "a known quantity" so we did that . The open backcountry was gorgeous , and we were serenaded by coyotes coming back, but the snow as Steve put it, "Has no bottom". It may have been the hardest snowshoe this winter. I had initially broke most of the trail, later once I was wasted, Steve broke three different sections, each going up a good grade hundreds of feet. These kind of trips almost require a team going up. I kept telling him we should have done Mission Peak, it would have been easier, but that's a blue sky peak. I can't wait for some consolidation and someday to walk upon the ground again.

Panorama 1

Pitcher Mtn Pano 2

Pitcher Mtn Pano 3

Pitcher Mtn Pano 4

Pitcher Mtn Pano 5

Pitcher Mtn Pano 6

[Gabigabs]

Beautiful area for snowshoe adventure. Great pics.

[wildernessed]

[MLHSN]

I thought dry gulch was off limits private property? Doesn't the old mining outfit own that? I remember wanting to wander up there as a teenager but was detoured by no trespassing signs. Maybe that's changed over the years. Wish I could have joined you guys.

[wildernessed]

[Justus S.]

Cool Stuff. The spires look interesting.

[wildernessed]

[wildernessed]

[Scrooge]

What your route looks like in the summer.

Looking down across the Herd farm from the ridge just north of "The Pitcher". The Rooster Comb would be just behind that pine branch at the limit of visibility in the upper lefthand corner.

It's been awhile, so I guess the farm might have been sold since I asked old man Herd for permission to hike up through his pasture. As developable real estate, that's got to be one of the most valuable pieces of property remaining in the area.

[wildernessed]

Nice pic Scrooge, I last ran over to Pitcher a few years ago in the Spring coming from the North. I went up Sadddle Rock, then followed that ridge as far as I could, but had to drop down off of it and over to another to get to Pitcher. The mountains were green with areas of high scrub brush, and the usual flower display. Really gorgeous. I saw the easier route via Sites Canyon. If you entered there you might have enough energy to get up on Pitcher then follow the ridgeline S then back E to the Bee hive area, that would be a awesome trip car to car. I don't know how much land the horse club bought, but alot of groups have started buying land to prevent the population of it.

[Scrooge]

Wildernessed said

[wildernessed]

I just had a flashback to a trip I did in West Virginia !

[Gil]

Cool spot ... and no snakes!

[wildernessed]

[jcb]