[Joey]

The Miller Peak loop hike in the Teanaway is open for hikers. There are few patches of snow that pose no problem at all. There is also still one large drift about in the middle of where the trail traverses the south slope of Miller Peak. It is on the lee side of one of the ribs. I found it easy to skirt this drift on the low side. There is no exposure and it just takes a few minutes. However, due to the lay of land, motorbikes cannot get past this point. Thus there might not be too many bikes on the loop this weekend. This is the first time I have done the loop clockwise. This meant heading up the Miller Peak trail. At the second stream crossing the rocks looked kinda iffy and I did not care for the branchless down log several feet above the stream. But no worries here since I packed along a brand new pair of ‘Stream Defenders’ to give them a test flight. I didn’t even have to sit down to put them on. Although I did modify them so they cinched up better. And then into the current I merrily strolled without a care in the world. Don’t you just love it when a kinda weird idea works better than you expected? In fact the ‘Stream Defenders’ worked so well that upon reaching the other side I dropped my pack, grabbed my camera and jumped back in.

Now without doubt there will be some less experienced in such matters who will be quick to opine: “Hey, Joey. You’re putting us on. Those are just 13 gallon trash bags with pull straps at the top to cinch ’em up.” What heresy. They’re ‘Stream Defenders’ I tell ya. Buy the thicker gauge ones. The pull straps are attached at 2 places. Pick one place for the front. Break the pull strap at both sides of the front attachment point. You now have 2 long straps that you can tie above your calf and you are good to go. When I finally quit fooling around and took them off, yes there was some water inside. No doubt some holes developed in the bottom. But my boots are well water-proofed and my feet stayed 100% dry even though I stepped in water well over my boot tops. So I think the moral of the story is: If you use ’em you lose ’em and will need to pack a new pair of ‘Stream Defenders’ for your next water-crossing hike. The scenery was stunning. Pics and a few more thoughts on this hike will follow in a day or two.

[gone]

Brilliant!

[Opus]

Great idea! I busted my Goretex boots yesterday so I'm hiking in my Montrail Namches this weekend. They're practically sponges with no waterproofing. I'll toss some bags in my pack for sure.

[Bryan K]

I need to get a pair of those awesome "stream defenders"!!! Will they be available at my local REI anytime soon? Or do you sell them online?

[wildernessed]

Awesome idea. Thanks for sharing it.

[Joey]

Bryan, Heck yes I sell them. When can I expect your 20 bucks?

[Joey]

Glad to see ‘Stream Defenders’ starting to get traction. I hope to read some TRs where they get used. Below, finally, are some more pics from this hike. By doing the hike clockwise I got into the high country sooner and I think the light was better for photography than later in the day. However, after finishing the portion of the County Line trail that traverses the south slope of Miller Peak, I got to the point where the trail began to descend. Alas, this is only about the halfway point on this loop hike. And I was having such a good time gawking at the scenery and taking pics that it was around 3:30 despite my early start. Oops - the rest of the loop back to the TH is around 6 miles. Part of this section has no shade. And the views, while always nice, do not compare to the first part of the loop. If you do this loop clockwise you should watch the time better than I did. Be sure to save some water and energy for the second half of the loop. The first dependable waterhole you will come to where you can pump water is the mainstem of Iron Bear Creek. All things considered, I think a mighty fine hike would consist of coming up the Miller Peak trail, turning right onto the County Line trail, traversing about half of the Miller south slope, and using one of the Miller ribs as your turnaround point. That should give you plenty of time for gawking, photography, etc. Wildlife report: Saw 4 grouse, two of which exploded from almost under my feet. This male Blue Grouse is looking for a hot date.

Blue Grouse mating display

Also watched a pair of Blue birds carrying food into a nest spot.

Blue bird carrying food into its nest. Trail in lower left.

And the rest of the pics on the order they were shot.

Balsalmroot

Earl, Little Navaho, Navaho

Miller Peak trail

Miller Peak trail

Mt. Rainier

Little Navaho, Stuart, Navaho

Earl Peak

Miller Peak trail

The Brothers

Little Navaho, tip of Stuart, Navaho, The Brothers

Miller Peak trail

When you face this sign, the County Line trail is the lower one to your right.

Miller Peak trail just below its junction with the County Line trail

This sign is about 50' easterly from where the County Line trail intersects the Miller Peak trail.

Miller Peak trail in foreground

Miller Peak. The County Line trail crosses this rib just behind the nearest tree.

Little Navaho, Stuart, Navaho

County Line trail traversing south slope of Miller Peak

County Line trail traversing south slope of Miller Peak

Along County Line trail traversing south slope of Miller Peak

County Line trail traversing south slope of Miller Peak

County Line trail in upper right

Along County Line trail traversing south slope of Miller Peak

Along County Line trail traversing south slope of Miller Peak

County Line trail traversing south slope of Miller Peak.

Along County Line trail traversing south slope of Miller Peak

Not sure. East end of Enchantments?

Great live art on this one rock outcrop

The Teanaway Ridge trail leads to the Iron Bear Creek trail which takes you back to the TH.

[Joey]

One more

Balsalmroot - only saw it on one rib of Miller Peak