[Arete]

We couldn't get out for the beautiful weather Saturday, so we chose an east-side hike to escape the early morning drizzle on the west side Sunday. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed Rock Mountain (6852 ft on Nason Ridge) from the Snowy Creek approach twice before and figured it was about time to pay our dues on the steep trail up from Highway 2. After all, we had a perfect group for the trail, which Harvey describes as needing folks either “young and stubborn or old and ornery”. In addition we had a few pair of new boots that were in need of some rigorous field testing.

Three pairs of virgin boots. Can't think of a better trail to try them out on!

Getting rid of some of that excess energy at the trailhead before we start up

We left the trailhead (2600 ft) at 7:15 with cool temperatures and just a few buzzing insects. The route goes up through some power corridor access roadways to the trail up steep slopes which really does have 95 switchbacks (yes, we did count them too) up to the ridgeline at 5700 feet. The trail is never really very steep with all of the switchbacks, but the slope that it cuts through is steep and exposed enough to provide plenty of worry for parents as they watch their energetic kids bound around. There were plenty of wonderful blooms to distract us (and provide excuses to stop while taking pictures) – especially the stonecrop and Lewisia carpeting the slopes around 3500 – 4000 ft.

Climbing up past the power poles

The steep lower slopes

Looking down the steep lower slopes, blooming with Lewisia.

The steep lower slopes

Climbing up into the subalpine vegetation and bugs

Bugs were not much of a problem until about 4700 ft, where the breezes stopped and voracious subalpine mosquitoes took advantage of the available feast. Luckily that only lasted about a half hour and after that the breezes kept them at bay the remainder of the day. The first snow patch was at 5500 feet and by about 5600 feet the snow was mostly continuous. The ridgeline at 5700 feet gave us our first views up to the upper slopes and we followed snow slopes above to the ridge (6200 ft) overlooking Rock Lake. The snow was well consolidated and easy to walk up.

First snow patch at about 5500 ft

First good view of upper slopes of Rock Mtn (knoll is the false summit of the summit ridge; summit not visible here) from 5700 ft.

The view toward Jim Hill Mtn

Travering snowy ridge at about 5850 ft toward the slopes leading up to the ridge above Rock Lk.

Climbing the snow slopes up to the ridge above Rock Lake. Meadowy point on ridge down below (5700 ft) is where we got our first good view of the upper slopes of the mountain.

Climbing snow slopes to the ridge above Rock Lake

Snow slopes leading up to the ridge above Rock Lake

Arriving at the ridge above Rock Lake

Looking down to the ridge above Rock Lk

From the ridge crest above Rock Lake the summit was clearly visible above. We followed the ridge up to some steep heather slopes that led up to the southern end of the summit ridge. From there it was a fine, easy hike along the crest to the top (4.5 hours from the car).

Climbing the switchback trail up steep heather slopes to the summit ridge (Rock Lk below)

Looking up from the ridge above Rock Lake to the summit ridge (summit on right; route of ascent up to snow-free knoll on left).

Cornice along summit ridge

The last switchback to the top. Switchbacks up to the summit ridge visible in background on steep heather slope (facing to left).

It was one of the finest summit conditions in recent memory – sunny with a cool breeze and superb views. We spent more than 1.5 hours (all by ourselves) lounging, taking pictures, debating names of surrounding peaks, and playing all manner of games.

The younger crowd wondering when the hard work starts.

Group photo on top

A young companion joined us in sunning ourselves on top

Looking north off of the summit

Glacier Pk from the summit

View from the summit: Mount Rainier "peaking" out behind Mt Daniel.

View from the summit: Labyrinth Mtn and Minotaur Lake (foreground). Sloan Pk behind.

Looking east along Nason Ridge to Mount Howard

Rock Lake just starting to melt out

Avalanche debris covering meadow above Snowy Creek on the west side of Rock Mtn

Finally, with the knowledge that the warm afternoon temperatures were finally setting in on the lower slopes below we began our descent. We got in some nice glissades from about 6500 ft to 6000 ft.

Starting our all-too-short, but fun glissades

Glissading down the upper slopes

Enjoying the descent!

We had ice axes with us but most of us never took them off the packs (also no need for crampons or snowshoes). The lower slopes proved hard on the feet but the legendary hot temperatures were kept at bay with cooling winds from the west. We got to the car around 4 PM – one of the most enjoyable hikes of our early summer! 11 miles RT; 4250 ft elevation gain - 4.5 hours up and 3 hours down.

[the Zachster]

Oh my gosh...those kids are AWESOME! That is one tough grunt and they clearly have energy to spare. I am so impressed! And jealous! Nice to see a little snow up there still.