[jhiker]

On Sunday, I headed out to the Teanaway and the DeRoux trailhead. My goal was Koppen Mountain and, if time permitted De Roux Peak.

I hiked the De Roux creek trail to the De Roux Spur trail which forks off shortly after the first crossing of De Roux creek. The spur trail switches back and forth for about a mile where it reaches a pass and starts to descend into the next valley. From this point a trail leaves the pass and follows the ridge up to Koppen Mountain.

The Koppen Mountain trail started steeply through an area of minor blowdown. After a while it leveled off and then got steep again below the summit. There was not much snow on the route and the trail avoided most of what there was. Only just below the summit of Koppen Mountain did I ever have to walk on snow.

The summit view from Koppen is pretty sweet. Just about the entire Teanaway can be seen along with the Stuart and Enchantment ranges. To the west, the higher peaks of the ALW can be seen including Lemah, Chimney Rock, and Mount Daniel. It was too hazy on Sunday to make out Rainier but this would normally be visible as well.

I descended Koppen back to the pass and then headed off to De Roux peak. There was only the faintest of boot paths to follow. The path stayed below and to the left of the ridge line and then crossed over the ridge after the second big promontory on the ridgeline. After this, I lost the trail in an area of heavy timber and snow. I realized that I had descended to far and had to climb, mostly straight up back to the ridge where I popped out after the third promontory on the ridge.

De Roux is more of a high point on the ridge than a real peak but it is higher up than Koppen Mountain. Again, a nice view. It does not appear to be heavily visited. I did not see a summit register or even a marker.

Heading back down to the pass, I followed the ridge line except to make one detour through an area of balsamroot. It was easier travelling keeping to the ridge top. Back to the pass and then back to the trailhead following the original route.

This hike was a lot nicer than I thought that it would be. The route from the pass to De Roux was a riot of wildflowers. I saw some deer and a few elk but did not see a single person the whole time I was out. All in all, a glorious day in the Teanaway.

Here are some pictures from the hike. There are more at

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48897736@N00/sets/72157606095746628/

East Esmerelda and meadow near start of trail

Small waterfall just past De Roux Creek crossing

Mt Daniel and part of De Roux Peak

Mt Stuart  from Koppen Mountain summit

Lupines, Paintbrush and Balsamroot

Mt Stuart and ridge

Mt Hawkins and wildflowers

South Ingalls Mountain and Gallaher Head Lake

Flowered field - Teanaway, WA

Forest scene

Koppen Mountain

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/48897736@N00/

[Bloated Chipmunk]

Wow - those are some very colorful flowers.  Nice TR & pics.    Looks more colorful than when I hiked that pk. a couple yrs. ago.

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Home is where the hiking is. 

"Peaks that have come and gone four times should halt a man in his steps." -- William O. Douglas

A balanced diet is a margarita in each hand.

[Meander]

Holy lupines, paintbrush and balsamroot! That is a riot of wildflowers. Nice pictures!

[Joey]

That's certainly a very cooperative deer to stand there and pose for you.   

[Tom]

[jhiker]

[Sore Feet]

Where were the best flower patches at?  Paintbrush, Lupine and Balsam together demands immediate attention. 

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Bryan Swan
Pictures - http://www.flickr.com/photos/bryanswan
Waterfalls - www.waterfallsnorthwest.com

[jhiker]