[tigermn]

All photos. Well after speculation that we may have as many as 5 people it turned out to be just myself and Greg (EastKing). After some brief discussion about whether to take hike #39 or #40 in the 55 hikes, we opted for the somewhat easier 39 up Rock Mountain via the Snowy Creek trail. This meant about 8.6 miles of gravel road driving up a not too bad road, but slow going ~ 25-30 minutes in a sedan. Hike 40 you basically just park it off highway 2. Arrived at the trail head and were hiking by shortly after 09:30.

Rock Mountain Snowy Creek Trailhead.

We started out at a very brisk pace to get the woodsy part over with sooner and get to the summit. After a bit the trail is very brushy for a little spell. In my clumsiness I kinda stepped off the tread and it went down just enough to slip down. No harm, just felt stupid.

Rock Mounain brush/heather where I stepped off the trail as it was hard to see the edges.. No harm no foul.

We continued on reaching the meadow. There was one tent. We would later see these folks on the summit.

Rock Mountrain meadowns ~ 2200 feet below summit. Trail can be seen on left. Blue tent on right edge of picture. We would see the tent owners when we arrived at the summit.

Rock Mountain from meadows ~ 2200 feet below.

VIews from near Rock Mountain meadow ~ 2200 feet below the summit.

VIews from near Rock Mountain meadow ~ 2200 feet below the summit.

Now you start the more serious switchbacking but it isn't overly steep, but you work pretty good. As you get higher the views opened up.

Partial views still in trees above Rock Mountain basin.

Partial views still in trees above Rock Mountain basin.

It opens up above closer to Rock Mountain summit.

Flowers on open slopes below Rock Mt Summit.

Greg (EastKing) stops to photo the flowers.

More views from open slopes below Rock Mtn.

Finally you get pretty much out in the open. Fortunately it wasn't hot.

Looking down at the meadow/tent from where we came on upper slopes of Rock Mtn.

Looking down at the meadow/tent from where we came on upper slopes of Rock Mtn.

Zoom looking down at the meadow/tent from where we came on upper slopes of Rock Mtn.

Shortly later we saw another hiker heading up. He would arrive at summit shortly after us.

Another hiker coming up from below on upper Rock Mtn slopes.

Even before the summit the views were incredible.

The hills are alive with the Sound of Music upper Rock Mountain slopes.

Views from Upper Rock Mountain slopes.

We finally reached the junction with the other trail. From here just an easy 1/3 mile ramble up the trail to the summit for the last 225 vertical feet or so.

Junction to Rock Mountain summit. It is visible here. Right fork goes back down towards Rock Lake/alternate trail.

Rock Mountain summit so close we can taste it.

Rock Mtn summit real close now. This is easy trail hike (trail goes left/behind the ridge in this picture).

We reach the summit and discover the campers and their dog. The summit is flat (used to be a lookout).

Campers with dog on Rock Mtn summit.

Myself on Rock Mountain summit.

Shortly after we arrived the guy behind us showed up with the Westie who wanted to help Greg eat his lunch. He was from Wenatchee. In thinking, this might be like the Granite mountain east of the mountains, but not as difficult, and neater views.

Man with Westie dog on Rock Mountain summit.

We enjoyed about an hour and 20 minutes on the summit. It was hard to leave. It was not hot. In fact after sitting when the breeze kicked up something long sleeve would not have been uncomfortable. I didn't bother and was OK. The views are endless.

Mt Baker 77 miles away from Rock Mountain summit. This view would be short lived as distant coulds soon would block it's view.

Glacier Peak 22 miles away from Rock Mtn Summit.

Views from Rock Mountain summit.

Top of Rainier (75 miles away) visible behind Mt. Daniel (19 miles distant).

Minotaur Lake ~ 4.35 air miles away from summit of Rock Mtn.

Glacier (22 miles distant) getting more in clouds from Rock Mtn summit.

Moved over to area just below and to left of summit to check out that view. Not much different.

Views from viewspot just left and below summit.

Views from viewspot just left and below summit over towards Howard.

Views back to summit from viewspot just left and below summit.

Views from viewspot just below summit.

Views from viewspot just below summit.

Views of summit (Greg on right, others not with us to left) from viewspot just below summit.

Finally it was time to start heading down. First we checked out another little summit down below just past the fork to head down.

Views from "other" summit.

Views back to real summit from "other" summit. Noe of this snow had to be crossed.

Views from "other" summit.

Views from "other" summit.

Views from "other" summit.

Views back upViews back up to real summit from "other" summit. to real summit from "other" summit.

Zoom of highway 2 from "other" summit

Highway 2 valley heading east from "other" summit.

Back at the junction I noticed something white on the cliffs to the northeast of the summit. Wonder what that is. This is zoomed quite a bit. It was just a blip to the naked eye. I used the little spotter to confirm, then we brought out binoculars to see he was slowly making way up the cliff.

Mountain goat on cliffs east of Howard from summit trail junction sign.

Mountain goat on cliffs east of Howard from summit trail junction sign.

Mountain goat on cliffs east of Howard from summit trail junction sign.

Mountain goat on cliffs east of Howard from summit trail junction sign.

Continued heading down and saw a bird.

Grouse or something (I don't know my birds) on way down from Rock Mountain.

Soon out of the nice views and back int he trees and down to the meadow.

VIews back up towards summit from down below.

Rock Mountain from down below.

Meadow. This is looking back at where trail leaves meadow to head up Rock Mtn.

Here is the snow bridge that collapsed..

Broken snow bridge over creek lower down. A guy 2 parties behind us broke this bridge. We skirted way on the side on this one.

We continued down uneventfully.

Final views back as we leave the meadows.

Final views back as we leave the meadows.

Parting shot look back up.

Were all packed up and on the road just before 4PM.

Back to car. Those last 2 easy miles always seem to take forever getting down.

A few traffic snags on highway 2 and a quick food stop in Monroe and we were back in town. This was a great trip. The hike is not difficult (100% class 1 trail). Just a little mud in places and a few very easy creek crossings are about it. The views are spectacular. Still a little curious about the other route up. Maybe a fall hike. I shall return. EastKing took some video panos guaranteed to dizzy you out, so I'll let him post the best of those. The summit pose pictures of him are in his camera so stay tuned. I was spared the rap video although Greg could have had an audience of strangers, sort of like taking the show on the road.

[EastKing]

Here are all the pics I have from the trip. I will put up my dizzy panoramas and just a bit. Sorry folks, no rap video this time. Let the Rock stay the Rock!!!!

Rock Mtn 010

Flowers in the Alpine Meadows

Daniel and Rainier

Rock Mtn 026

Rock Mtn 027

Rock Mtn 028

Rock Mtn 030

Rock Mtn 033

Rock Mtn 036

Rock Mtn 037

Summit pose #1

Rock Mtn 062

Rock Mtn 066

Rock Mtn 077

Rock Mtn 072

Rock Mtn 068

Rock Mtn 067

Rock Mtn 050

[BearQueen]

Only one pose EK!!! Y ou can do better than that!!!

[tigermn]

[Curtissimo]

looking good, boys! congrats on the goats i have almost never seen those in the wild save mount aix.

[EastKing]

[tigermn]

[MountainMan]

Wow, it looks like you guys had some great views! That's another one to add to my list of places to go!

[EastKing]

It is an awesome place for views and it is relatively easy trail from the north side!!! I'd like to try nearby Mt. Howard in the future.