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Schmidt Altitude Whippet Entourage
Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Posts: 803 | TRs | Pics Location: The Quah |
At 7766' Mount Aix is the highest peak in the William O. Douglas Wilderness. Thus, it drew us in like moths to a flame. Not suprisingly, it was nominated as the goal for Saturday by the NWHikers who had arrived early to the American Ridge Campout.
Sometime during the planning stage the night before, it was determined that we would leave the lodge at the ungodly hour of 9:00AM to drive to the trailhead . Apparently everyone else doesn't need sleep the way we do so at 8:45 we were woken up to be informed that everyone was waiting on us . The group left at 9:15 consisting of GeoTom and Jasper, GeoDani, puzzler, cartman, dicey, Bryan, wamtngal, Just Todd, and the Schmidt Altitude team (Babe, Rowena, Kiefer, and Dude). We drove to the trailhead with only one small hitch, a 50 foot long section of 10" deep snow across the road in a shaded area. Our Explorer and Tom's truck made it just fine but we had reservations about puzzlr's Forester. He revved the engine and then blasted through with no problems much to our relief .
During the drive to the trailhead the following conversation took place in our vehicle:- Babe, "I think we forgot our rain gear back at the lodge."
- Dude, "Well, I don't want to go back for it now."
- Babe, "The weather stated a chance of showers."
- Dude, "We'll be fine, look how well they predicted the weather last weekend."
Getting ready at the trailhead
At the trailhead, we geared up, stretched, and headed out. The 3600' trailhead was snow free and we headed up long switchbacks in the forest along side but never crossing Copper Creek. At about 5200' feet we started running into patches of snow that soon completely covered the trail. At about 5500' feet we had completely lost the trail. A review of the topo map determined that we should just head up as much as possible until we obtained Nelson Ridge. We slalomed our way up through the trees with each of us taking turns in the lead kicking steps into the surprisingly hard snow.
Delicate stream crossing Peek-a-boo TNAB style conga line
As we were dug in to the steep hillside at about 6500' the skies opened up on us. We stood there as the rain pelted down soaking us to our cores and discussed whether or not to turn back. We made a group decision to push on to the 7100' crest of Nelson Ridge and then determine from there. Soon after the slope became slightly less steep and then snow free as we approached the ridge crest.
Arrival on Nelson Ridge First view of Aix summit
At the ridge, even though the rain had let up, we added extra layers and donned rain gear while everyone made fun of Dude for wearing shorts. We were very glad puzzlr had an extra parka to lend Babe (a huge thank you kind sir, the drinks are on us next time we see you ). Since the clouds were so thick we couldn't see for miles and miles but there were good views of Bismark Peak, 7,585', to the SW and various 7,000+ highpoints along Nelson Ridge (wow, a 7,000' unnamed highpoint, not something you see in the Olympics ) Looking back down into the Bumping River valley we could see Bumping Lake below and American Ridge across from us. It didn't look like a major storm was going to hit us so we set out east towards the Mount Aix summit.
Dogs always think it's treat time Babe modeling puzzlr's parka and her telltale D300 "bump" Bryan leads the way with Bismark Mtn ahead Just along the ridge Dude eyes the last false summit Dani gears up for the summit Bismark Ahead Forging ahead to the summit
Trail gains and loses an insignificant amount of elevation for the next mile as it heads to the base of the summit. Then, it was a little scrambling up to the summit. As GeoTom said, it's easier to get to the top than it looks.
Here comes Dani Rowena follows "mom" Dicey out for a stroll
From the summit we could see all the aforementioned sights plus Mount Stuart and the Enchantment Range to the north. Mount Adams was too covered in clouds and there was only peek-a-boo (or peak-a-boo) views of Rainier. Rain clouds and precipitation were covering most of the area around us but we stayed mostly dry on the summit. We signed the register and noted that we were the first ones to sign it for 2008 .
I'll give you some Schmidt Altitude Rain clouds over Bismark Puzzlr takes it all in Bryan makes a new friend More rain heading our way? Summit chaos View west from summit
A slight breeze started to chill us down so we headed back down. As we were hiking along the ridge back towards the trail junction the sun finally broke through the clouds. We had to call a halt and everyone stripped off their extra clothes as Dude gloated about being smart enough to wear shorts . Plus, the break in the weather meant we actually had a few minutes for good views of Rainier.
In the loose rocks Babe on the ridge Rainier swarmed by mystery clouds Wamtngal on trail Just Todd catching up
At the trail junction we headed back down into the trees and snow. Luckily the rain had softened the snow quite a bit so we didn't have as much trouble descending through the trees as we'd predicted. About halfway down the snowy part of the trail, we hit an open area perfect for "butt luge" ! As much fun as we had sledding we think the dogs had an even better time chasing the crazy humans.
Bliss! Cowabunga! Let's go double! Beatcha!
After the glissading, Tom, Dani, and Dude were in the back of the pack, a little separated from the rest of us, when they found the trail in the snow but noticed the rest of the group's footprints still heading downhill. A few blasts on a safety whistle and they were able to get the group's attention. Soon we were all back together following the switchbacks down to the trailhead. We threw our gear in the cars and headed back to the lodge.
At the switchback Trailhead Shot
We arrived back at the lodge, successful conquerers, to find a party had broken out while we were gone. Another big thank you to Rich Baldwin, Action Betty, and Slugman for cooking enough food to feed these hungry hikers along with everybody else .
flickr link to all 94 of our best photos
Trail Stats:
12 miles round trip (according to 100 Hikes in Washington's South Cascades and Olympics)
4688' total elevation gained
6 hours 25 minutes trailhead to trailhead (including breaks)
"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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Just Todd Trowel Owl
Joined: 15 Jan 2008 Posts: 226 | TRs | Pics Location: here. |
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Just Todd
Trowel Owl
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Tue Jun 03, 2008 8:18 pm
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Yea, mark Aix off the "done that" list And onto the "plan to return" list.
Aix gave us a bit of everything - rain, sun, snow, dirt, snow, rocks, views, friends, photo ops.
Then, back at camp, we got
Thanks Dude for the fab TR!
Sunset is an all day process.
Sunset is an all day process.
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Grizzy Yellow Cedar Hugger
Joined: 16 Jul 2006 Posts: 1936 | TRs | Pics Location: Switchbacks |
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Grizzy
Yellow Cedar Hugger
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Tue Jun 03, 2008 8:28 pm
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Very nice pictures !!! thanks for posting these...I was up there in '06, killer views from there, on clear days you can see into Oregon....Glad you had such great views with the so so weather...
All the birds have flown up and gone;
A lonely cloud floats leisurely by.
We never tire of looking at each other -
Only the mountain and I. ~Li Po~
All the birds have flown up and gone;
A lonely cloud floats leisurely by.
We never tire of looking at each other -
Only the mountain and I. ~Li Po~
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wamtngal Member
Joined: 13 Jun 2004 Posts: 2382 | TRs | Pics Location: somewhere |
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wamtngal
Member
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Tue Jun 03, 2008 8:32 pm
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I've been waiting to do Aix for years now, ever since reading about it in Pacific Northwest Hiking (or as I call it, the hiker's bible) and earmarking it because it had 5 boots (most difficult). Now it's finally on my "yay, I did it!" list.
And I couldn't have asked for a better group of peeps to tag the summit with.
Just a few pics as my camera was afraid to be out in the rain.
GeoTom, Dani & Jasper Stuart & the Enchantments waaay out there.
Opinions expressed here are my own.
Opinions expressed here are my own.
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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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Tue Jun 03, 2008 10:38 pm
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What a great hike in spite of the rain (which I'm not of hiking in). Aix is so far the highest peak for me in WA state, glad to do it with such a great group of people.
Full set of pics here
05-31-08 Mt Aix (21) 05-31-08 Mt Aix (11) 05-31-08 Mt Aix (7) Westward sky pano
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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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Tue Jun 03, 2008 11:01 pm
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My pictures look a lot like the others. I especially like these two:
nwhikers looking an awful lot like Japanese tourists
This is sweet - I'm guessing they have a pact that boots or packs can't be removed until both are at the trailhead
Babe waiting for Dude
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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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Tue Jun 03, 2008 11:09 pm
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Great pano Bryan. It really conveys the mood of the day with some mountains visible, but rain obviously ready to soak NWHikers if necessary. Too bad people are too busy reading the thread wondering if the TH is driveable to read the thread about the trail.
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mntsun Wunderer
Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 206 | TRs | Pics Location: Squaresville |
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mntsun
Wunderer
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Wed Jun 04, 2008 1:08 am
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Nice job everyone, sounds like a great event! I would have been there but was already committed to another climb (I drew the rain to me in the north to clear the weather for your trip in the south ).
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Schmidt Alti-Dude 4th class poster
Joined: 06 Jul 2007 Posts: 1361 | TRs | Pics Location: Looking for Adventure 201! |
GeoTom wrote: | One funny thing I remembered (at least I thought it was funny) was seeing Rowena as I was glissading towards her. She had something in her mouth, but it wasn't until I was almost to her that I realized it was a big snowball. Good thing she couldn't throw it at me. |
Rowena wants to show off her snowball to Jasper
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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gone Member
Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 1051 | TRs | Pics
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gone
Member
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Wed Jun 04, 2008 12:50 pm
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Great effort and a great report - thanks for sharing it!
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bobbi stillaGUAMish
Joined: 13 Jul 2006 Posts: 8012 | TRs | Pics Location: olympics! |
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bobbi
stillaGUAMish
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Wed Jun 04, 2008 3:53 pm
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bobbi ૐ
"Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So…get on your way!" - Oh, the Places You’ll Go! By Dr. Seuss
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Randy Cube Rat
Joined: 18 Dec 2001 Posts: 2910 | TRs | Pics Location: Near the Siamangs |
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Randy
Cube Rat
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Wed Jun 04, 2008 4:46 pm
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You guys are ballers.
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Mark Griffith (Embrace yourself)
Joined: 14 Mar 2005 Posts: 853 | TRs | Pics Location: Issaquah |
Great trip report, looks like some very nice ridgeline walking! I had to smile at the Dude and his shorts.
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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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Wed Jun 04, 2008 9:55 pm
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I laugh every time I see this . Dicey doing a Kilroy Was Here impersonation
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Gil Member
Joined: 29 Sep 2004 Posts: 4062 | TRs | Pics
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Gil
Member
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Wed Jun 04, 2008 11:01 pm
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Great TR!
Friends help the miles go easier.
Klahini
Friends help the miles go easier.
Klahini
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