[yukon222]

After a long day of playing in the snow on Kaleetan Peak on Saturday, the ‘S’ team (Schmidt Altitude – ‘Dude, ‘Babe, whippets Kiefer and Rowena; Steve aka yukon222) decided to believe the horrible forecast for 60% chance of thunderstorms in the Teanaway. So after mulling over our options early Sunday morning, we settled on cleaning up some unfinished business. Earlier in the year, TNAB ran out of time in an attempt of Dirty Harry’s Peak. Revenge was in order!! A thick cloud layer hung over the valley and as we ascended the abandoned road strewn with loose 2”, 3” and 5” rock, the humidity felt like we were in a jungle.

Trillium along trail

We picked our way up thru the lower road sections, moving from side to side in a futile attempt to avoid the streams spilling onto/down/over/under the road.

A couple of sections of slide alder to work thru but not difficult. Just annoying. We started to break thru the cloud deck around 3200’ and that was about where the continuous snow coverage returned. Boots sank in about 8” as we climbed the logging roads. Recognized a few landmarks from the TNAB night run earlier in the year and the giant talus field glissade area. It was another sunny day high in the mountains, with the cloud cover staying low down in the valley and blue skies enveloping the mountain tops. Since none of us had been up to DHP before, we didn’t take any shortcuts thru the trees to eliminate some of the long road switchbacks. Plenty of snow to do so, maybe next time. Slogged up the last road section to the summit and sank down into the warm snow. Yes, warm! Sun was softening the snow, with the top 12” liquefying. Good views north to Glacier and east to Kaleetan. Could just make out Dirty Box to the West. Laid around on the summit for half hour or so. Nice lazy day, no rush to get back since we were so close to North Bend.

Upside down world

Close but far away...

Kaleetan, et al from Dirty Harry's

On the way back down, we passed a couple of rock climbers who were climbing some of the lower outcroppings. They said the climbing was very similar to the popular rocks on the other side of the highway with fewer people on this north group. We could see what he was talking about as we drove by 40 cars at the main climbing area! DHP was a worthy destination, although the jumbled rocky trail was a pain on the way down. Or maybe it felt like that because we had just pounded out another 3500’ gain after the previous days 5850’ gain thru the snows of Kaleetan?

[Schmidt Alti-Babe]

After the elevation gain we racked up from Saturday, I was ready for an easier climb. 3400' is easier, right? I kept mentally preparing myself the whole morning, thinking, "60% chance of rain, this is going to be wet, I'm going to be wet and miserable all day...." Little did I know that I was going to get baked again. Not a drop of rain, just loads of sunshine - almost too much of it as I was overheating on the way up turning me into a bit of a dumb blonde !

At the Balcony junction

More soggy toes!

Trillium

Whippet in the mist

Oof, shouldn't have had that extra pop tart!

Sasquatch?

Zorro and Russian Butte

Clouds cover the Middle Fork Snoqualmie

Soaking up the Vitamin D

Hey, it's like a giant snowcone!

Treats, Uncle Yukon?

60% chance of rain :P

Did you get my good side?

Yeah, we cool.

It's "Predator"!

Now the toes are really soggy

No wading for Rowena!

Why do you guys make me do this?

[Schmidt Alti-Dude]

It was nice to erase our one "failure" this year. I'm glad we figured out the route to the summit even though we realized we didn't have any beta on the route only after we were half way up the mountain. You just pick the road that leads up the most ! Here's a few panoramas, label at will:

7 labels

View looking over the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Valley

4 labels

View looking over the South Fork Snoqualmie Valley (I-90)

[dicey]

PEAKBAGGERS!!! OMG, what is happening to you guys??

[wamtngal]

Yup, I have to agree with dicey, y'all Schmidt's are a bunch of peakbaggers...well, maybe streambaggers... Waiting for the Kaleetan report...I'm assuming there's a video involved.

[Opus]

My god, Dirty Harry's peak has views? I've tried that one many times and this is about the best view I've had:

Invariably I end up there on a rainy/snowy day. Sooner or later I'll make it to the top. I can only bring myself to walk that rocky/slippery/watery road once a year. If you guys are in the area again you should look for Dirty Harry's old truck. You probably walked within 100 ft of it crossing over that stream. Took me a few trips to find it.

[Schmidt Alti-Dude]

[bobbi]

great job team S! dude: your panos are getting cleaner! babe: love your 'whippet in the mist' photo!

[gone]

Way to go! Glad you came back and kicked its tail! I'm inspired enough by your success to almost consider maybe ... oh, never mind, I'm with Opus:

[puzzlr]

What's up with walking through all these streams? I'm starting to think you LIKE getting your feet wet.

[rdyhiker]

Good to know Team S occasionally does a dayhike like the rest of us mere mortals. 10,000+ feet in back-to-back days, though... think that just about qualifies as an overnighter. Babe: on "Did you get my good side?" Great caption to go with a great shot. on "Upside down world", yukon. Always enjoy your reports...

[Schmidt Alti-Dude]

Uh oh, I've think I've figured out a new trick beside panos!

Dirty Harry's Creek Crossing

[Schmidt Alti-Babe]

A collective groan sounds throughout the nwhikers crowd. Please don't encourage him, please!!

[bobbi]

okay, no encouragement for dude.