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Schmidt Altitude Whippet Entourage
Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Posts: 803 | TRs | Pics Location: The Quah |
With the doom and gloom weather forecast for Memorial Weekend, the ‘S Team’ (Steve a.k.a yukon222 and the Schmidts Altitudes a.k.a Babe, Row, Kief, and Dude) decided that a couple of dayhikes were in order. We reasoned that it sure would be nicer to warm up with a shower and hot meal at home if you're rained on rather than spending the night in a soggy tent. Yukon wanted to show us the way up Kaleetan Peak so we made that our goal for Saturday.
We parked at the end of the plowed road just before the bridge over the South Fork Snoqualmie River. We weren't happy about the extra 2 miles round trip of road walk but it's a common story this year . There was one other vehicle at the parking area and we wondered if it was mbgriffi on one of his dawn patrols. We pounded down the snow-covered roads to the trailhead as fast as we could. Then, we roughly followed the summer trail to the first Denny Creek bridge, under eastbound I-90, and to the second bridge. Getting on the second bridge was a little tricky because the snow was corniced over the bridge entry. We followed tracks in the snow and entered the bridge from the side, stepping over a large gap .
Hey dad, how we gonna get down there? Denny Creek Bridge (on the return trip)
After crossing the bridge, we followed the creek up to Keekwulee Falls. Along the way we met mbgriffi and his buddy coming back from Hemlock Pass who recommended we stay to the right of the upper waterfall cascade as you climb the final slope to Hemlock Pass. After some shutter delay at Keekwulee, we continued along the creek to upper Denny Creek basin.
Keekwulee Falls Upper Denny Creek Valley
The basin was full of snow so we didn't need to worry about finding the small third bridge over the creek. We just crossed the frozen stream when it was time to head up the slope on the other side. As we were climbing up the hillside towards Hemlock Pass, we came to a small run-off creek with a cascade above us. The boot path in the snow crossed over the creek so that is what we did. We followed the snow prints until we came to an exposed, rocky cliff face. It was then that we remembered mbgriffi telling us to stay right of the waterfall . Instead of backtracking, we free climbed about 20 feet and then made our way back over to where we should have been.
Hey guys, it's not so bad, follow me!
Next we went up and over Hemlock Pass and down to Melakwa Lake. The lake was still frozen solid with small patches of open water at the outlet stream. As we were soaking in the views, we noticed ski tracks on the hillside across from us, dropping over the Bryant Col. Sky was staying mostly clear, with just a few clouds spread thru the deep blue sky.
View up to Melakwa Pass from outlet stream Melakwa Lake Arrival
After a breather and snack at the "campsite" by the outlet stream, we started climbing the ridgeline left of the lakes. The going was a fairly standard uphill slog except for about a 200' section in the middle of a 60-70 degree slope that required kick steps . Once out of the trees, open slopes with decent snow extended high to Point 5700 south of the summit ("South Kaleetan"?).
A ladder to heaven On point to the summit K9 4WD
Eventually, we rose over a small cornice just below Point 5700 and we could finally see the Kaleetan summit staring us in the face.
Cloudship Armada So close yet so far Blue Steel to Kaleetan
To avoid the rock bands along the ridgeline, we descended 300' feet down the west side of the ridge and then sidehill traversed under the cliff bands. The sun was really starting to beat down on us by this point and we took another short break on some snow-free rocks 800' below the summit. From here, we could see a couple of ski tracks carving turns down from the summit to the top of the Melawka gully route.
I'll take the lead now that it's flat! Traversing under the cliff bands Digging for snacks
From there, it was kick steps pretty much straight up until the summit. The snow was perfect: soft enough on top to sink in and harder beneath to set the foothold with very few icy patches. The final blessing was the previously made kick steps by the skiers that we used for the final 100' climb in the snow chute between the rocks (I don't know why they tried to ski over the top of such beautiful kick steps ).
Kiefer and Chair Peak Kickin' To Kaleetan Summit Ahead Kickin' up the final snow chute Scrabble to the top Almost there!
The summit was snow free, and we spent a half hour taking pictures, enjoying the scenery, and basking in the sun. Glacier Peak to the northeast and Mount Stuart to the east especially stood out. Snow was on all the peaks around us and every one of the lakes we could see were solid sheets of white. We signed the Mountaineer's register (a new one that only went back to last September) and noticed the names of fellow NWHikers SlowWalker and Tom_Sjolseth as well as yukon222 from when he did this climb last fall. The mystery skiers had been a foursome that had been up only hours before us but we never did see them .
Summit Hounds Clicks and Register Looking south (Point 5700 and Bryant Peak) Mount Stuart with the Four Brothers in front Hinman and Daniel Rowena appreciates the views
Eventually it was time to go. We down climbed the first 150' or so from the summit until we were on the broad snow field and headed over to the break in the ridgeline that leads to the Melakwa Pass route. We could tell where the skiers had come through, but after Yukon stuck his head over the lip and looked down, we decided to retrace our steps.
Downclimbing from the summit Heading back along the ridge
As we were climbing back up the 300' of counter-elevation to “South Kaleetan” in the baking sun, Dude noticed the temp on the alcohol thermometer attached to his pack read 99 degrees (mostly cloudy with 50% chance of rain my @ss )! No wonder we were all feeling fried. To counter act the heat, we decided to do two glissade runs from the crest of Point 5700 down to the steep climb described earlier. We all had frozen derrieres at the end but the fun was well worth it .
Falling behind Way above Melakwa
We down climbed the "scary steep part" without incident even though the whippets tried their best to knock Babe off the mountain (they got scared and tried to "hide" under Mom's legs while she was on the slope ).
Over the lip to the "scary steep part" Kickin in hard
We then cruised past Melakwa Lake, Hemlock Pass, and the Upper Denny Creek basin (this time remembering to pass southeast/right of the waterfall cascade). Then, it was a march through the snow and trees, over and under bridges to the trailhead, plus the final mile road walk, and then, finally, the car. We were very tired, wet, and hungry but had the satisfaction of knowing we had completed a difficult yet rewarding hike with a total elevation gain of 5863' ! We wondered what would be in store for us the next day?
Chair Peak above Melakwa Past Hemlock Pass and down to Denny Creek Cooling off That was fun! Getting off the bridge Sunset colors through the trees
Link to full flickr set
"Forest 101: These big wood stick things are called trees. The big rocks are called mountains, and the little rocks are their babies." Elliott from Open Season
"Forest 101: These big wood stick things are called trees. The big rocks are called mountains, and the little rocks are their babies." Elliott from Open Season
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Tom_Sjolseth Born Yesterday
Joined: 30 May 2007 Posts: 2652 | TRs | Pics Location: Right here. |
Sweet trip, dudes! Kaleetan is one of my favorite close-to-Seattle peaks to climb, and this looks like a great time of year to do it. No bugs and good snow walking in the basins. Right on.
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yukon222 Member
Joined: 12 Mar 2007 Posts: 1893 | TRs | Pics
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yukon222
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Tue May 27, 2008 10:59 pm
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Long day but worth it. The weather forecast was completely wrong as all the moisture and most of the clouds stayed well east of the Crest. So fun to see this area snow-covered instead of the typical summer or late fall conditions.
Wonder if the parking fines are per day? Dude walking the edge Rowena & Melawka Lake Birth of the lake Rowena knows the way! Melawka Lake starting to thaw Virgin snow and sky Kaleetan summit in the distance Melakwa Lake far below Glacier Peak Light of Kaleetan Dude eyeing the traverse Whippets trailgating Looking back at traverse Wild country Dude aiming for the summit slot mega pano Delicate maneuvers on summit Big Snow Mountain Looking way down on traverse Tired Rowena on summit Team Schmidt Scorching hot hill Leaving Kaleetan Pt 5700' Schmidt Altitude and Kaleetan Melawka Lake from Pt 5700' Babe downclimbing Pt 5700' End of the 1st glissade 'Babe and Kiefer having fun 'Babe downclimbing near Melawka Lake fading evening light on Melawka Lake Dude's controversial aerodynamic glissade technique! climbing Pt 5700' pano oh no, another pano! Chair Peak & Bryant pano mystery pano! Mt Stuart pano
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Ingunn Hiking Viking
Joined: 01 Feb 2008 Posts: 1751 | TRs | Pics Location: Redmond |
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Ingunn
Hiking Viking
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Tue May 27, 2008 11:02 pm
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Man alive...every trip report you post is such a treat! Great photos, too!
Whippet question: have you had any problems with their paw pads on snow? We've never taken Bobs out on any snow trips (except for regular walks) because we didn't think his paws could handle it, but seeing these buff whippets brave the snow so often makes me want to give it a shot.
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Schmidt Alti-Dude 4th class poster
Joined: 06 Jul 2007 Posts: 1361 | TRs | Pics Location: Looking for Adventure 201! |
I couldn't resist adding one last "action shot" of Babe
Denny Creek Bridge dismount
smultringunn: They are fine on soft snow but hard icey snow can cut them up. We tried booties but they never stay on their narrow feet. A layer of vasoline on the pads and between the toes seems to help. We don't do overnights in the snow with them because they just get too cold.
Anything stated by me in no way reflects the attitudes or opinions of my wife
Anything stated by me in no way reflects the attitudes or opinions of my wife
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Ingunn Hiking Viking
Joined: 01 Feb 2008 Posts: 1751 | TRs | Pics Location: Redmond |
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Ingunn
Hiking Viking
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Tue May 27, 2008 11:20 pm
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Thanks - we'll have to try the vaseline trick! We bought booties for Bobby but he really doesn't know how to walk with them...
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Kat Turtle Hiker
Joined: 05 Oct 2003 Posts: 2560 | TRs | Pics
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Kat
Turtle Hiker
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Wed May 28, 2008 5:12 am
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Just wanted to say one of the things I really enjoy about your TR's are the "action" shots - it really gives a feel for the trip and route. Keep 'em coming!
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rdyhiker Member
Joined: 07 Dec 2007 Posts: 567 | TRs | Pics
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rdyhiker
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Wed May 28, 2008 8:18 am
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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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Wed May 28, 2008 8:28 am
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Beautiful pictures you guys. What an awesome peak Kaleetan is, almost always in sight when driving down I-90, offers nice reminders for me of the first trip that really scared the crap out of me a few years ago.
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wildernessed viewbagger
Joined: 31 Oct 2004 Posts: 9275 | TRs | Pics Location: Wenatchee |
Very nice, probably the best time of the year to be there !
Living in the Anthropocene
Living in the Anthropocene
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wamtngal Member
Joined: 13 Jun 2004 Posts: 2382 | TRs | Pics Location: somewhere |
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wamtngal
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Wed May 28, 2008 8:57 am
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Nice work you guys! And much sunnier weather than what I had on the coast. Too bad about that car (or is that a truck?)...wonder if it'll start up...
Opinions expressed here are my own.
Opinions expressed here are my own.
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Backpacker Joe Blind Hiker
Joined: 16 Dec 2001 Posts: 23956 | TRs | Pics Location: Cle Elum |
That's an extra cab Ford Ranger.
Yes yet another in the analogs of the Alti quartet.
Nice work again you guys.
"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
"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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DRSpalding Probably riding MTB
Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 458 | TRs | Pics Location: Redmond, WA |
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DRSpalding
Probably riding MTB
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Wed May 28, 2008 9:08 am
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What I want to know is when you even have time for hiking? When I start taking photos, I end up averaging 1 mph!
I think your "dayhikes" are even epics!
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wamtngal Member
Joined: 13 Jun 2004 Posts: 2382 | TRs | Pics Location: somewhere |
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wamtngal
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Wed May 28, 2008 9:13 am
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Wow, you know your snow-covered trucks, BPJ. I'm impressed...unless it's your rig.
Opinions expressed here are my own.
Opinions expressed here are my own.
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SlowWalker Perma-grinner
Joined: 23 Aug 2005 Posts: 888 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle |
Schmidt Altitude wrote: | We signed the Mountaineer's register (a new one that only went back to last September) and noticed the names of fellow NWHikers SlowWalker and Tom_Sjolseth as well as yukon222 from when he did this climb last fall. |
Good trip! Did you get a good look at the north side of Melakwa Pass? Big cornice? Did you see any tracks coming or going northerly?
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