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Schmidt Altitude
Whippet Entourage
Joined: 28 Mar 2007
Posts: 803 | TRs | Pics
Location: The Quah |
Dates: Saturday, October 11th through Sunday, October 12th, 2008
Crew: Yana, yukon222, dicey, Matt, wamtngal, Just Todd, Dani, Jasper, GeoTom, Schmidt Alti-Babe, Rowena, Kiefer, Schmidt Alti-Dude
Summits (in the order we climbed them): Mount Maude (9040’, #15 Bulger List, #18 400’ Prominence List), North Spectacle Butte (8080', #160t 400’ Prominence List)
Lakes (in the order we visited them): Upper Ice Lake – 7188’, Middle Ice Pond - ~7000’, Lower Ice Lake – 6822’
Total Elevation: 10,174’ gained
We knew we wanted to go larch hunting this weekend but the question was where? Taking the recommendation of Sadie’s Driver and a few others we had decided on Wing Lake with a scramble up Black Peak on the itinerary. Then it started snowing in the mountains. We decided we didn’t want to travel all the way there and not bag the peak so a new location had to be decided on. Golden Lakes? – too far a drive. Enchantments? – too popular plus most of us had been there already this year. Ice Lakes? – just right.
Day 1: Phelps Creek trail - Leroy Creek Trail - Leroy Basin - Ice Lakes Pass - Mount Maude - Upper Ice Lake
We gathered at the parking lot a little after 7:00AM about the same time as the Ice Box/N Spectacle Butte dayhike team. The temperature was a balmy high 20’s so there wasn’t a ton of socializing before setting out. We covered the 3.4 miles to the Leroy Creek trail at a brisk yet sociable pace and then started the uphill section. We stopped for a break at a viewpoint about half way up to the Leroy Basin before continuing on. The maintained trail ends at about 5800’ in the open Leroy Basin with in-your-face views of Seven Finger Jack looming above. This is also where we started to encounter snow.
 Rowena certifies the way is clear of evil critters  View of Seven Finger Jack during a break  Just Todd holds court  What we came here for  Dude and 7FJ  GeoTom and Dani in the Leroy Basin | The Larch Hunters Handbook wrote: | | Larches are native to much of the cooler temperate northern hemisphere, on lowlands in the far north, and high on mountains in Washington State. |
From the basin we followed the boot path that swings back south under the west face of Mount Maude. The way first traversed through a forest interspersed with green pines and golden larches. Next, it crossed a small creek and opened into a boulder field. In the boulders, a cairn route led us to the edge of the “Gully of Doom!!!” – a steep-sided gouge in the earth right in the middle of our path. We crossed the gully with care but seemed to loose the route on the other side. We eventually found it about 100-150’ higher up the hillside and then continued south on through more larches towards the obvious notch we could see in the distance.
 Hiking up under Seven Finger Jack  Seven Finger Jack freshly frosted  1 label One of these kids is doing his own thing . . .  Larch hunters  A different view of 7FJ  Crossing the "Gully of Doom!"  It's Electric!  Lunch break at the notch  Yukon clicking away  Yana heads up towards the cliffs  Glacier and Gold  Yukon on the way to Ice Lakes Pass | The Larch Hunters Handbook wrote: | | The best time to hunt larch is during mating season, called the rut. In Washington the rut typically lasts from late September through mid to late October. |
The views from the pass are breathtaking with Upper Ice Lake below, the Spectacle Buttes off to the east, Mount Maude looming above to the west, and Glacier, Buck and others to the west. From the pass, one would be tempted to traverse straight towards the south ridge of Maude but the way is rough. Instead we dropped 400-500’ into the Upper Ice Lake Basin, dropped our full packs, and rigged up our summit packs. Then we climbed back up to the south ridge to avoid the exposed, rocky section between the pass and the ridge. Once on the ridge it is an easy class 2 walk-up to the summit despite the snow being up to mid calf with drifts past our knees in places.
 Upper Ice Lake from the pass  Wind shaped snow at Ice Lakes Pass  Which way to Maude?  This stuff makes my toes cold  Almost to the ridge  Dude on the south ridge of Maude  Yukon heading to the summit  Dicey's on top of Maude  Maude summit shot  Dude notices the clouds over Glacier are getting thicker  Yana, GeoTom, Jasper, Kiefer, Dude, & Rowena heading back  Almost back to the Ice Lakes Basin | The Larch Hunters Handbook wrote: | | During the rut larches put on a color display in order to attract mates. Brilliant gold, bronze, orange, and yellow can be seen. If a larch is startled or senses danger it can quickly turn green to warn the rest of the herd. This is why many people will see green larches around them while spotting more brightly colored specimens far in the distance. |
We descended back down to our packs wondering what the night would bring. At our packs we heard a loud whoop and turned to see Tom_Sjolseth and Justus S. coming over to say hi on their way back from North Spectacle Butte. We chatted for a little bit before we parted ways, us down towards the Upper Lake, and them towards the pass. Once at the lake, we found a relatively flat area above the lake to the south and started setting up camp. The temperature was back in the mid 20’s as we ate dinner. We called it a night at 8:30 and prepared for a cold nights sleep.
 The Spectacle Buttes rise up in the distance  It keeps getting cloudier and cloudier  Commence camp setup!  Larch at Upper Ice Lake  Are you sure it's only 12:30am?!? | The Larch Hunters Handbook wrote: | | It is quite common during larch season to encounter other larch hunters wearing bright orange vests and hats. These hunters wear the larch's mating colors in order to blend in and hopefully get closer to their prey without startling them. |
We finally got going around 7AM to find moody gray clouds hanging in a solid ceiling above our heads obscuring all the peaks around us. As we ate breakfast we discussed our plan for the day. Even though the weather was crap, most of us were game for a try of North Spectacle Butte while GeoTom, Dani, and Jasper opted to head back out (actually, Jasper voted to stay but since he wasn’t driving he had to go with his ride).
 Can this water take any longer?  Stay away, I am skilled but cold ninja.  Dark and menacing  Conspiring larches  Those sure are some purdy branches!  So much orange and blue  Touch of frost  To Lower Ice Lake | The Larch Hunters Handbook wrote: | | Male larches are called Tamaracks while the female are called Turmerics. It is difficult to tell the sexes apart except for the fact that the tamaracks are typically larger. |
At Lower Ice Lake, we crossed its outlet stream, traversed along the east shoreline and then headed east up the col west of North Spectacle Butte. As we were taking a break at the col, Dude had Rowena in his lap since she was shivering in the wind. Suddenly, she spotted a chipmunk and exploded out of his arms. In the process, the back of her head connected with the orbital bone under his right eye. Ungrateful beyotch, he’s been sporting a black eye all this week.
 Sparse but vibrant  Whippets under cover  Perfect lighting  Boys, get out of my picture. I was trying to shoot the larches! :P  A look of desolation  Panoraminator mighty action shot!  Hold tight, Alti-Babe!  Don't worry, I won't blow away!  Specters on North Spectacle  Summit group and headless Babe | The Larch Hunters Handbook wrote: | | During the rut a larch hunter will often see one dominant tamarack surround by a handful of smaller turmerics. Often a single or a pair of younger tamaracks will hang around a little distance off from the group hoping to attract the less cautious or mischevious turmeric. |
The combination of no views and biting wind meant we spent about 5 minutes at the summit before heading back down. As we descended down out of the clouds, we could see blue sky over the Ice Lakes. The lower we went, the nicer the day became and the clouds had completely burned off by the time we were back at the lower lake shore.
 Braving the winds back down  Rugged Dude and Row  I know this is where I saw that darn chipmunk!  Hunting larches . . . furry critters are more our style  Islands in the snow and sun  Dude makes his way around the lake  A dominant Tamerack taller than the rest  At the shores of Lower Ice Lake...scene of nekkid hiker island  Reaching towards the sun  I am the mighty mountain whippet!  Just like glass  Frozen reflections  Wamtngal....or return of shovel humper?!  Last views of Lower Ice Lakes basin | The Larch Hunters Handbook wrote: | | After the rut is over the larches lose their golden coats and prepare for winter. They will enter a tupor in which their body heat lowers to match that of their surroundings and metabolic processes basically come to a stand still. They will remain in this state until the ground thaws in the spring. |
By the time we made it to camp the sun was started to warm things up considerably, melting the snow. This meant we had to pack Johnny Gan style - wet and sloppy. Once packed it was time for the long, full pack climb back up to the pass. Instead of retracing our steps back to the notch we dropped straight down into the larch covered bowl directly below the pass intersecting the Carne High Route path. After an intense discussion we decided we didn’t have enough lee-way time to try and complete the high route in case something happened.
 More larches at Upper Ice Lake  Sweeping clouds, golden larches...it doesn't get much better  Yes, I finally have long legs!  Should we be running too?  Alti-Babe's Larch and Glacier shot  Kiefer and Dad enjoy the views  Electric Leroy Basin  Wait up Uncle Yukon, our legs are even shorter than mom's!  Gathered by the gully of doom  Don't worry, sis', I'll keep watch for furry creatures  Amber is the color of your energy  Tree trifecta
"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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yukon222
Member
Joined: 12 Mar 2007
Posts: 1893 | TRs | Pics
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yukon222
Member
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 Thu Oct 16, 2008 10:10 pm |
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Crystal clear early morning skies made the long climb up to Leroy Basin enjoyable because the scenery "forced" many momentary photo breaks.  The snow didn't cause any problems other than requiring careful footing in a few places where it covered loose talus.
Wish the skies had stayed mostly clear for a sunrise or sunset at the lake but one can't always hit the perfect combination of company, weather and scenery. I'll keep trying. 
 OK trailhead view, I guess...  pano1 - looking west from Leroy Basin DSC_7098 - l to r: Kiefer, Rowena, Dani, Jasper & GeoTom  pano9 - ice creek ridge  pano12 - Lower Ice Lake & Mt Maude  pano15 - ice creek ridge  pano18 - S Spectacle Butte and Lower Ice Lake outlet  pano19 - lazy outflow from Upper Ice Lake  pano20 - Base camp at Upper Ice Lake  pano21 - heading home  pano22 - heading back down into Leroy Basin
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the Zachster
Member
Joined: 17 Jan 2007
Posts: 4776 | TRs | Pics
Location: dog training |
That is such a gorgeous area, especially with the snow. We went in from the Entiat one year and saw no-one for 4 days. Just blue water and golden larches. I remember it being very windy at night as we camped at the Lower Ice lake. The Upper was so desolate...I can imagine the wind could get pretty exciting up there! Sounds like a fun and memorable trip. Awesome photos!
"May I always be the kind of person my dog thinks I am"
"May I always be the kind of person my dog thinks I am"
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GeoTom
Member
Joined: 19 May 2005
Posts: 3215 | TRs | Pics
Location: Earth |
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GeoTom
Member
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Thu Oct 16, 2008 10:24 pm |
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Nice looking trip guys 
Oh, wait, I was there for most of it 
Excellent photos as usual. All of mine on Flickr are viewable here, if anyone is so inclined.
A few I liked:
 Buck Mountain (2009?)  Maude and larches  Ascent  Summit wisps  Yana and Glacier Peak  Alti-Dude and his girls  Upper Ice Lake and Spectacle Buttes  Camp  I iz warm now  Waiting for breakfast  Needles  Waiting for the one with the car keys
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Schmidt Alti-Dude
4th class poster
Joined: 06 Jul 2007
Posts: 1361 | TRs | Pics
Location: Looking for Adventure 201! |
Hey, my 1,000th post. Couldn't think of a more appropriate time.
Here are some photos for those of who are more of a panoramic persuation. Yes, I went way overboard. It took way to long to stitch them all (and this is not all of them)!
Day 1:
 Leroy Basin  Hiking through the Leroy Basin  Underneath Maude  Looking over to Ice Lake Pass  So much scenery to photograph  At Ice Lake Pass  Descending into the Upper Ice Lake Basin  View east from the south ridge of Maude  View west from the Maude summit  Heading to Upper Ice Lake  Mount Maude above Upper Ice  Down at the middle pond  Looking down the valley from the Ice Lakes  Almost to Lower Ice Lake  At the col below North Spectacle Butte  Back down from the summit of NSB  Views from the col on the way back  Mount Maude above Lower Ice Lake  Babe leads the way back to camp  North and South Spectacle Buttes  Back at the middle pond  The background for our camp  Looking west form Ice Lake Pass  Upper Ice Lake and Spectacle Buttes from the pass  Glacier Peak pano  The larchy bowl below Ice Lake Pass  On the trail out
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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Ingunn
Hiking Viking
Joined: 01 Feb 2008
Posts: 1751 | TRs | Pics
Location: Redmond |
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Ingunn
Hiking Viking
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Thu Oct 16, 2008 11:21 pm |
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Aaah, I've been waiting for this one. Excellent, excellent trip, report, and photos - I love the panos in this one; the ones with people in them really stand out.
It looks coooold. And the mountaineering whippets are looking almost as buff as that creepy steroid whippet someone posted a photo of a while ago 
Did you catch a turmeric to mount on your wall?
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Go Jo
of the lykkens
Joined: 08 Jun 2003
Posts: 2248 | TRs | Pics
Location: Around The Bend |
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Go Jo
of the lykkens
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Thu Oct 16, 2008 11:21 pm |
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| Schmidt Altitude wrote: | Hiking up under Seven Finger Jack |
Looks like the best of all worlds, great report & fantastic photos.
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Matt
Tea, Earl Grey, Hot
Joined: 30 Jan 2007
Posts: 4307 | TRs | Pics
Location: Shoreline |
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Matt
Tea, Earl Grey, Hot
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Thu Oct 16, 2008 11:23 pm |
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Nice job everyone. That was a great trip.
I'm still sorting my photos. Working on culling it down from 798. Changing weather, changing locations, and beautiful scenery makes for lots of great views.
Looking at some of the photos from the SLR shooters, I'm becoming more convinced that I've gotta move up to a camera that can shoot RAW, so I can get my colors better balanced like yours.
By the time all participants have posted, I'll bet this TR will set the record for most photos.
“As beacons mountains burned at evening.” J.R.R. Tolkien
“As beacons mountains burned at evening.” J.R.R. Tolkien
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Dani
Kimtah's Mom
Joined: 01 Jul 2008
Posts: 136 | TRs | Pics
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Dani
Kimtah's Mom
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Fri Oct 17, 2008 7:44 am |
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Wow love the pics!
It was great meeting people I have been hearing so much about. I had a great time but it was a bit too cold for me. Maybe go back next summer!? 
Keeping GeoTom in line since 1998
Keeping GeoTom in line since 1998
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Opus
Wannabe
Joined: 04 Mar 2006
Posts: 3700 | TRs | Pics
Location: The big rock candy mountain |
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Opus
Wannabe
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Fri Oct 17, 2008 8:11 am |
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| Dani wrote: | | Wow love the pics!
It was great meeting people I have been hearing so much about. I had a great time but it was a bit too cold for me. Maybe go back next summer!? |
I think there's a reason they call them "Ice" lakes. We froze even in mid August up there!
Great pics all.
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wildernessed
viewbagger
Joined: 31 Oct 2004
Posts: 9275 | TRs | Pics
Location: Wenatchee |
Spectacular scenery as we transition into the "snowy season".
Living in the Anthropocene
Living in the Anthropocene
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GeoTom
Member
Joined: 19 May 2005
Posts: 3215 | TRs | Pics
Location: Earth |
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GeoTom
Member
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Fri Oct 17, 2008 8:22 am |
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| Quote: | | We crossed the gully with care but seemed to loose the route on the other side. We eventually found it about 100-150’ higher up the hillside |
Ahem. dicey, Yana, wamtngal, Jasper and I found the high route right away. The rest of you losers* stayed low for a while.
| Quote: | | We tried to settle down again but sometime around 1-2AM things started to get real interesting. The winds started blowing with some gusts hitting our tent so hard that the side would cave in and the fabric hit us in the face. |
That wind woke me up from a nice dream about a pizza. 
*I mean losers in the nicest possible way. 
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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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Fri Oct 17, 2008 8:45 am |
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Opinions expressed here are my own.
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Backpacker Joe
Blind Hiker
Joined: 16 Dec 2001
Posts: 23956 | TRs | Pics
Location: Cle Elum |
Fantastic pics and another great trip from everyone.
"If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time or die by suicide."
— Abraham Lincoln
"If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time or die by suicide."
— Abraham Lincoln
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Jasper
Cascade Snow Pig
Joined: 13 Apr 2008
Posts: 350 | TRs | Pics
Location: Burrowing in the snow |
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Jasper
Cascade Snow Pig
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Fri Oct 17, 2008 10:04 am |
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