[puzzlr]

Based on the forecast for last Saturday I expected to be doing a wet slog to Rainy Lake and back while catching up on some podcasts. But like everyone else here found out, it turned into a spectacular day. Luckily I had brought along three maps, one of which had the route up to Preacher so I kept going.

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Moolock Peak -- promising weather on the drive up the MFK

What does this mean? (Photo was taken with flash on the way out)

Huge old growth tree lays over the Rainy Creek trail

Mossy passage

Rainy Lake, 2:20 minutes after leaving the trailhead. The trail ended here and I stopped to refill my water bottle. I continued up the ridge out of sight to the left.

Immediately above Rainy Lake I had to bushwhack through some thin alder thickets, but higher up the forest floor opened up more.

Looking back down the ridge with Bessemer Mountain on the horizon

I traversed right under the dramatic rock tower above Rainy Lake and came out at the much smaller Upper Rainy Lake.

Upper Rainy Lake and the first false summit. The ridge is higher than it looks. On the way up I went through the narrow snow filled slot, but coming down I stayed on the snowier sections further right.

A different kind of ice worm

From here the hike is a series of false summits tempered by incredible views. There have been a number of excellent Preacher TRs on this site but those parties either forgot their cameras or didn't luck out on the weather. So I'm glad to contribute some summit shots to the archive.

I was quite sure this was the summit, until I got on top of it.

Looking down at Elbow, Shamrock and Horseshoe Lakes just east of Preacher Mountain

Once on the false summit I could see the actual top, which is on the right of the two almost equal high points.

Looking back at the false summit and other gendarmes along Preacher Mountain's north ridge

Finally, the true summit. On the horizon is Rainier with a thick cloud cap.

Lake Caroline nestles in front of Roosevelt, Chair and Kaleetan

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Panorama E and N from Preacher Mountain

On the way down the afternoon sun put on a real light show

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The Middle Fork valley on an unusual snow-free December afternoon.

Garfield Mountain glows in the late sun of a crisp December day. Taken while descending Preacher Mountain.

Stats: ~5000' of gain and about 10 miles, but it feels longer especially with no trail beyond Rainy Lake. It took me 8 hours round trip (4:30 up, 3:15 down) with just a little time for breaks and only about 10 minutes at the summit. With the short days I had to hustle down and still had to walk out the last hour with a head lamp. I also made a video but it's mostly the same pictures with a music track.

Route to Preacher Mountain via Rainy Lake. Beyond the lake there's no more trail.

[huron]

[puzzlr]

Looks like a police line! Needless, IMO.

[Schmidt Altitude]

Wow, thanks for the pics and beta. That peak has been on our radar for quite a while now.

[Magellan]

Strong effort!

[Type E]

way to make the most of a short December's day! I bet it looks much different today.

[Backpacker Joe]

Way to go Pzzlr. Nice work and pics. Thanks.

[cartman]

[jimmymac]

[dicey]