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boot up Old Not Bold Hiker
Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Posts: 4745 | TRs | Pics Location: Bend Oregon |
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boot up
Old Not Bold Hiker
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Sun Oct 12, 2008 9:47 pm
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A Sunny day October hike to Hope Lake and Trap Lake made up for the monsoon the week before.
The DEEP October snow did make it probably the toughest 10.2 mile hike I have done.
Stats:
7hr25min car to car.
2920 feet accumulated elevation
5370 feet high point.
Came in through the Hope lake "trail head" which justifies requiring the cost of a Forest pass because they planted a sign there. Parking for about 3 cars, NO turnaround(the road just ends, which wasn't a problem in my tight turning radius Element, but could be for some cars/trucks), and no outhouse.
Location is just below Steven's Pass, and since the pass cams only showed a dusting of snow...how bad could the snow be...
A BIG group pulled in JUST behind us and parked on the shoulder. The noisy fun-loving group quickly left us old geezers behind and we didn't see them the rest of the day. If they were the ones that broke trail from Hope to Trap, we thank them.
We only saw a couple more people the entire day.
But it was pretty amazing wading through deep powder in October! It softened up by the end of the day and was actually tougher going on the way back.
I only used my traction devices for the way back down to parking from Hope Lake, and Pete proved it could be done without....although I think I had more fun.
Deepest blue sky I have ever seen for reasons unknown.
I think the pictures pretty much speak for themselves about this glimpse of paradise day....
Hike up to Hope was easy
View from just above the parking lot in the morning Thom on the the way to Hope, in the morning
Hope lake looked good, morning and afternoon.
Hope Lake penninsula The monster of Loch Hope Hope Lake in the morning light Geese, wondering if they got the calendar right. Hope Lake in the afternoon October sun Kahtoola traction devices made the slick downhill from Hope Lake to the car FUN.
I forgot just how many switchbacks there are between Hope and Trap lake, but I did eagerly anticipate the views that were mostly socked in with fog the last time I hiked this section.
Pete trying to remember that its october Pete cruising down the switchbacks Pete in deep...THIS is OCTOBER?? Fall color and snow Pete hiking into the low October sun boulder formed textures were sensual light play. This TINY guy seemed to be just a kid. I believe its a rare native squirrel. A nice bowl along the way Small contrails kept appearing like daylight falling stars Just more of the view across from the trail as it followed the 5000 foot line. Icicle playing with the light Icycles Trail held at 5000 foot line, with this view across for quite aways. Nice creek with a splash of red The ridge line above Trapper Creek valley, JUST across from the trail BIG frosted rock. Just because it looked cool. Confused grass on the side of an alpine pond in october Trapper Creek Valley with Grass Lake shown at the bottom Alpine pond freezing up in October Looking towards Trapper Creek Valley October Snowfield light play Thom pausing to take a photo in early October snow between Hope and Trap Lakes Thom on Just a sample of the switchbacks between Hope and Trap Lake.
I was ready to turn back before getting to Trap Lake...OK, once again Pete was right...it WAS worthwhile to press on.
Pete enjoying Perfection. Warm enough for shirtsleeves lunch at Trap Lake. October foliage with snow in the sun....Just plain spectacular Makin' tracks Trap lake vista Looking down into Trap Lake Tracks near Trap Lake Trap lake mounds Trap Lake, a study of textures Trap Lake with tracks and Fall Foliage grass and snow in October....its been a short season Nice October scene next to Trap lake Ant wondering what happened to October...."coulda sworn I had more time" Fall leaves and snow next to Trap Lake in October Thom at lunch at Trap
It doesn't get any better than this....
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EastKing Surfing and Hiking
Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Posts: 2082 | TRs | Pics Location: 77 miles from Seattle! |
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EastKing
Surfing and Hiking
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Sun Oct 12, 2008 10:06 pm
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I think you were the two people we saw on the way up!
YouTube | SummitPost
Saw the depths of despair. Now I am salvaging what time I have left on Earth.
YouTube | SummitPost
Saw the depths of despair. Now I am salvaging what time I have left on Earth.
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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 Oct 12, 2008 10:14 pm
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You're welcome, allthough I didn't do much of the trail busting. I'm sorry I didn't get to say more than 'Hi' to you. I would have talked your ear off if I knew your were NWHikers. I turned around at the pass, and might have caught you guys on the way down, except I just kept messing around. Next time I will chat up Boot Up!
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boot up Old Not Bold Hiker
Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Posts: 4745 | TRs | Pics Location: Bend Oregon |
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boot up
Old Not Bold Hiker
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Sun Oct 12, 2008 10:23 pm
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Magellan wrote: | You're welcome, allthough I didn't do much of the trail busting. I'm sorry I didn't get to say more than 'Hi' to you. I would have talked your ear off if I knew your were NWHikers. I turned around at the pass, and might have caught you guys on the way down, except I just kept messing around. Next time I will chat up Boot Up! |
Definitely THANK YOU for doing the initial punching through of the trail. We were impressed by how well you stuck to the official trail in spite of the recent deep snow. We were debating how you stuck to it THAT closely. Please resolve our discussion.
Are you VERY familiar with the trail?
or
Did you use GPS?
or
Was there enough of a trace of a V-groove to keep on track?
Just curious. Sounds like some track was still traceable when you hit it?
We dinked around on the way up and came back FAST. We ALMOST went to the pass, but I had given an ETA for getting home that didn't account for that much snow, so I didn't want to push it later. I didn't realize how fast we could make it back.
My hunter orange hat band must of worked....didn't spot any hunters. I figured it must be SOME sorta season. Should make me easy to remember too.
Eastking, were you part of the big group? Or the couple heading up as we were almost back to the car
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EastKing Surfing and Hiking
Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Posts: 2082 | TRs | Pics Location: 77 miles from Seattle! |
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EastKing
Surfing and Hiking
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Sun Oct 12, 2008 10:27 pm
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Part of the big group with Magellan.
YouTube | SummitPost
Saw the depths of despair. Now I am salvaging what time I have left on Earth.
YouTube | SummitPost
Saw the depths of despair. Now I am salvaging what time I have left on Earth.
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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 Oct 12, 2008 10:32 pm
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Here is our trip report.
There were footprints that came from the direction of Mig Lake and went all the way to Trap Pass. From there the prints went down into Suprise valley. Somebody did a one way trip within a couple of days previous.
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boot up Old Not Bold Hiker
Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Posts: 4745 | TRs | Pics Location: Bend Oregon |
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boot up
Old Not Bold Hiker
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Sun Oct 12, 2008 10:37 pm
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Magellan wrote: | Here is our trip report.
There were footprints that came from the direction of Mig Lake and went all the way to Trap Pass. From there the prints went down into Suprise valley. Somebody did a one way trip within a couple of days previous. |
AHA! I am only half a step behind on chasing this thread....which sounds about the way the day went too, now that I think of it.
It was my first time driving into that trailhead. I did the Hope-Trap before as a through day-hike from the summit out through Suprise...on a less snowy trail. You are correct about the driving instructions...Stay on the "main" road or go straight until you see a tiny hiker sign.
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Sabahsboy Member
Joined: 18 Jul 2006 Posts: 2484 | TRs | Pics Location: SW Sno County |
Just had a wonderful time viewing these photos. We, pups and I, did the trip to Trap Lake 2 x several years ago, end of September. Your photos bring back and dress up that memory with glittery snow. What a terrific set of photos! Glad no one slipped down Tunnel Creek Trail! Same weekend pups and I went on Johnson Ridge and enjoyed less snow than you, but the views were great. I had wondered what it would be like on the PCT to Trap Lake; so, thank you so much for sharing your experience and photographs.
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Jennifer S. Member
Joined: 06 Aug 2007 Posts: 228 | TRs | Pics Location: South Puget Sound |
The "nice creek with red" photo is really beautiful. (I have no idea how to copy your pic in my reply.)
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