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More Cowbell Warrior Princess
Joined: 01 Jul 2006 Posts: 5657 | TRs | Pics Location: Alive on Earth |
After much researching for road and trail conditions for the "back door" to Noble Knob route I decided we should just go for it. I've been on this trail once before and was very pleased with the route and have always wanted to come back. Directions can be found on the F.S. website and Karen Sykes book. We had a cast of characters: Ree, Kleet, Putz-n-boots, Jimk and the royal Quark. I haven't laughed so much in a long time. Talk about therapy.
Jimk and Kleet were the intrepid drivers into the unknown F.S. road conditions and everyone arrived at the T.H. alive and intact. It looks like the road just opened up and all the rocks and logs have been moved enough to let most vehicles through. No snow on the road at all. Before the trail head we had to stop and take in the morning view:
Tourons in the road
There was one truck parked at the end and conditions were looking promising as the bugs weren't biting and there was a nice breeze. We loaded up our bubbles, cameras and packs and set off.
Snow free to here
This is a very nice trail for gimps or photohounds hauling the heavy cameras. Total gain is only about 700 feet with some extra ups and downs and mileage is pretty minimal too. But that doesn't mean it's not a gorgeous trail. You get some of everything here (except a nice creek). This is huckleberry country along with gooseberries and strawberries. I want to come back in berry season.Lush jungle trail My new avatar
You traverse the ridge facing McRainier with lots of views that way through flower gardens and rockery. We ran into 2 mountain bikers and 3 trail runners on the Dalles Ridge trail but no one else until the "knob". The snow on the trail starts in the usual basin area and is easily navigated. It looks to be melting quickly. Then you head up some mountain bike rutted switchbacks to meet up with the corral pass trail (which must be open now) heading to Noble Knob. The scenery really starts to get going in here. Hummingbirds, magenta paintbrush and views all over the place. It's a short way till you meet up with 3 other trails (2 to lakes and one boot path to somewhere south, ask JimK).
Strawberry meadows up to the knob
The meadows here are full of early flowers and it's going to be spectacular all month I'm sure. After a few switch backs and a climb up the back of Noble Knob (all snow free on the trail now) you are there. We had lunch and a lot of serious conversation (except for Quark).Quark and a vanilla cone I want to go here sometime The unofficial benchmark
The sun was beating down but it was so nice up there that we stayed for a while. Make sure you explore both areas of the "Knob". I like the "birdy rock" part (it looks like it's flipping you off as you hike the trail below it on the Dalles Ridge side)Quark shoots penstemon Flattering butt shot This one's for you Lookout Bob Cinquefoil? Buttercup? "Birdy" Rock
Eventually we started back down and I attempted some more photos of the alpine scenery.
Heading back down Zoomed lost lake 3D bumps
One odd flower on the way out:
Oh Marta... name me
and back through the Dalles GlacierDalles Glacier Traversers
and we headed on back via the ridge.
Temps were rising so we had a McRainer stop in Ree's favorite city - Enumclaw.I don't know what they were doing McRainier IceCream
Then to top it all off, Ree and Quark made us all a deluxe party feast (early birthday pour moi) that was DELICIOUS and most appreciated.
That was my kind of day. Thank you everyone!
“If you want to forget all your other troubles, wear too tight shoes.” - Unknown
“If you want to forget all your other troubles, wear too tight shoes.” - Unknown
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Schmidt Alti-Dude 4th class poster
Joined: 06 Jul 2007 Posts: 1361 | TRs | Pics Location: Looking for Adventure 201! |
Totally extreme, spectacular, and epic Looks like you had a ton of fun!
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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Yet Member
Joined: 23 Apr 2005 Posts: 2634 | TRs | Pics Location: Happily Ever After |
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Yet
Member
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Sun Jul 13, 2008 10:32 am
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Sounds like a nice pre-birthday.
But did you have to post that photo of kleet and ree licking their cones? I am now scarred for life.
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Flora Enjoying the Sun!
Joined: 25 Mar 2007 Posts: 1035 | TRs | Pics Location: Land of many waters |
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Flora
Enjoying the Sun!
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Sun Jul 13, 2008 11:55 am
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The yellow flower (nice photo!) is a cinquefoil and member of the Rose Family. Not sure which one (there are several). I would have to see its leaves and growing area.
Looks like a good time was enjoyed by all!
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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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Sun Jul 13, 2008 3:32 pm
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Nothing like a day out with a group of great friends. Thanks for the TR!
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Quark Niece of Alvy Moore
Joined: 15 May 2003 Posts: 14152 | TRs | Pics
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Quark
Niece of Alvy Moore
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Sun Jul 13, 2008 6:00 pm
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A most excellent choice for a birthday hike. A sorry photography day, but an excellent choice for a birthday hike.
My flower mojo is off; I can't identify the purple flower I posted; they also come in white, & purple, and are abundant in the forest; leaves look like a cross between coltsfoot and lupine. I know that's difficult to visualize, but no more than JimK's description of the weather, "hot but cool."
A few photos to share:
Blue flower Hikers descend Noble Knob, Mt Rainier in the distance Either a crime took place shortly after the previous photo was taken, or one hiker left the scene Funny how when you tell someone to act like they're licking Mt Rainier, they do 1 label Even funnier when you tell them to do it again and they do Hikers look toward Snoqualmie Pass from Noble Knob JimK pointing at the view of Mt Rainier just in case the Hikers missed it Noble Knob Glacier kicks butt and takes names Noble Knob Glacier claims another victim Penstemmon and Mt Rainier Rock view
"...Other than that, the post was more or less accurate."
Bernardo, NW Hikers' Bureau Chief of Reporting
"...Other than that, the post was more or less accurate."
Bernardo, NW Hikers' Bureau Chief of Reporting
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More Cowbell Warrior Princess
Joined: 01 Jul 2006 Posts: 5657 | TRs | Pics Location: Alive on Earth |
Love the tongue! I couldn't identify my flowers either.
“If you want to forget all your other troubles, wear too tight shoes.” - Unknown
“If you want to forget all your other troubles, wear too tight shoes.” - Unknown
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kleet meat tornado
Joined: 06 Feb 2002 Posts: 5303 | TRs | Pics Location: O no they dih ent |
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kleet
meat tornado
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Sun Jul 13, 2008 6:57 pm
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Lessons learned on this outing:
Never do what Quark says. She's always got a camera at the ready, and will surely post incriminating photos.
Keep your eye on Ree. She'll sit down and start sketching at any rest stop, even when she's facing away from Mt. Rainier.
PiB and More Cowbell may claim they've got creaky knees or bum feet, but they'll kick your butt up a hill.
JimK is a hoot.
A few pics. Hopefully no repeats from the already published great shots.
Go ahead. Name it. PiB and JimK let me get ahead for a photo NSFW. Live pollination. Decent backdrop for a flower shot Flowers enough to calm even The Angry Hiker geez, kleet, enough of the flowers with Rainier backdrop crap! 2 labels NWLosers dominate the summit of Noble Knob ree and More Cowbell ponder the wonder of clearcuts Tahoma closeup Bought this at the Starbucks at the last switchback NWLosers gather before assault on Noble Knob Glacier
A fuxk, why do I not give one?
A fuxk, why do I not give one?
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captain jack Serving suggestion
Joined: 25 May 2004 Posts: 3389 | TRs | Pics Location: Upper Fidalgo |
Rainier is nice, but I am much more entertained by the peaks in this view to the north.
Plus the rocks are kinda flat on the south side facing Tahoma, but there are some nice little chair rocks on the north side of the Knob which are more comfy for prolongued butt planting.
Kleet wrote: | Bought this at the Starbucks at the last switchback |
That one is so totally better than the one at the Corral Pass parking area.
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ree Member
Joined: 29 Jun 2004 Posts: 4399 | TRs | Pics
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ree
Member
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Sun Jul 13, 2008 8:25 pm
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Sadie's Driver Sadie's Driver
Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 1763 | TRs | Pics Location: Welcome Pass |
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Sadie's Driver
Sadie's Driver
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Sun Jul 13, 2008 8:53 pm
A Noble Effort!
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Perfect day for a pre-birthday celebration! s.d.
Four-paw buddy lets me tag along!
Four-paw buddy lets me tag along!
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kleet meat tornado
Joined: 06 Feb 2002 Posts: 5303 | TRs | Pics Location: O no they dih ent |
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kleet
meat tornado
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Sun Jul 13, 2008 9:50 pm
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captain jack wrote: | That one is so totally better than the one at the Corral Pass parking area. |
Oh, I completely agree. No wi-fi at that one.
A fuxk, why do I not give one?
A fuxk, why do I not give one?
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More Cowbell Warrior Princess
Joined: 01 Jul 2006 Posts: 5657 | TRs | Pics Location: Alive on Earth |
“If you want to forget all your other troubles, wear too tight shoes.” - Unknown
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ActionBetty Im a dirty hippie!
Joined: 06 Jul 2003 Posts: 4807 | TRs | Pics Location: kennewick, wa |
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ActionBetty
Im a dirty hippie!
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Tue Jul 15, 2008 11:32 am
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Im so sorry I had to miss this one (an all the damn others the rest of the season..haha)
Noble Knob is so lovely...great pics
"If you're not living good, you gotta travel wide"...Bob Marley
"If you're not living good, you gotta travel wide"...Bob Marley
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Yana Hater
Joined: 04 Jun 2004 Posts: 4212 | TRs | Pics Location: Out Hating |
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Yana
Hater
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Tue Jul 15, 2008 11:45 am
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More Cowbell wrote: | We loaded up our bubbles |
Thank you for the report, MC. I don't think I will be venturing into this area as that glacier looks entirely too treacherous and I do not wish to be eaten alive by it.
PLAY SAFE! SKI ONLY IN CLOCKWISE DIRECTION! LET'S ALL HAVE FUN TOGETHER!
PLAY SAFE! SKI ONLY IN CLOCKWISE DIRECTION! LET'S ALL HAVE FUN TOGETHER!
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