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Get Out and Go
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Joined: 13 Nov 2004
Posts: 2127 | TRs | Pics
Location: Leavenworth
Get Out and Go
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PostWed Jul 01, 2009 8:58 am 
Why We Hike
Why We Hike
Perfect timing for this one: Crystal views, overnight freezing temps, pleasant daytime breezes, no bugs and clear trails. up.gif Two and half hours from Leavenworth to the Foggy Dew TH, which is up Gold Creek Rd. between Pateros and Twisp. I sailed up the Foggy Dew Trail for the first 5 miles past the Cooney Lake junction, then a longish mile to Merchant's Basin
Arrival at Merchant's Basin
Arrival at Merchant's Basin
and a short climb up to Sunrise Lake.
Larch Country
Larch Country
High Lake
High Lake
Sunrise Lake
Sunrise Lake
I took my pick of campsites, as I had not seen a soul, except for the bear I had spooked earlier in the day. That evening on my perch, I was scanning across Merchants Basin and spotted 2 people camped on the high bench, the only others I saw in 2 days. Next morning, I went back down to the basin and started up toward the pass, delayed by constant camera fatigue.
Switchback Peak from Sunrise Lake
Switchback Peak from Sunrise Lake
Merchant's Basin
Merchant's Basin
High in the Basin
High in the Basin
At the pass, I dropped my pack and made the easy climb up to Switchback Peak, not to be missed.
Stuart from Sawtooths
Stuart from Sawtooths
Clear Conditions
Clear Conditions
Railroad Creek Valley
Railroad Creek Valley
Looking Back at Sunrise Lake
Looking Back at Sunrise Lake
I believe I saw Wildernessed's fingerprints all over the peaks from up there.
Sawtooth Royalty
Sawtooth Royalty
I rambled down to Cooney Lake to eat lunch and try my luck with the Cutts,
Down to Cooney Lake
Down to Cooney Lake
Now Looking Back at Switchback Peak
Now Looking Back at Switchback Peak
then stormed out the remaining 8 miles to the TH in 3 hours to complete the loop.

"These are the places you will find me hiding'...These are the places I will always go." (Down in the Valley by The Head and The Heart) "Sometimes you're happy. Sometimes you cry. Half of me is ocean. Half of me is sky." (Thanks, Tom Petty)
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wildernessed
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Joined: 31 Oct 2004
Posts: 9275 | TRs | Pics
Location: Wenatchee
wildernessed
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PostWed Jul 01, 2009 9:09 am 
up.gif Awesome Tony, so it looks like the area is open for business. Old Maid - Finney along with Surprise / Cub. Finney has those small lakes in it's face. Sunrise is one of the nicest looking lakes out there.
Sunrise Lake 7228' with Merchants Basin behind it, Switchback Peak / Pass, and Martins Peak to the right, Star Peak back to the left.
Sunrise Lake 7228' with Merchants Basin behind it, Switchback Peak / Pass, and Martins Peak to the right, Star Peak back to the left.
From Sunrise Peak above the lake we came in via Grade Creek Rd and Summer Blossom Trail.

Living in the Anthropocene
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Backpacker Joe
Blind Hiker



Joined: 16 Dec 2001
Posts: 23956 | TRs | Pics
Location: Cle Elum
Backpacker Joe
Blind Hiker
PostWed Jul 01, 2009 10:36 am 
Great report and pics GOAG. Thanks for the beta. Ill be heading up there soon meself. up.gif

"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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carlb328
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Joined: 28 May 2007
Posts: 327 | TRs | Pics
Location: Yakima, WA
carlb328
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PostWed Jul 01, 2009 11:48 am 
So did you catch anything?

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ChrisSJI
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Joined: 23 Jun 2008
Posts: 361 | TRs | Pics
Location: San Juan Island
ChrisSJI
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PostWed Jul 01, 2009 12:27 pm 
Great report and photos! How's the elevation gain? I only ask because my wife has come down with a mild case of pregnancy hockeygrin.gif so we're taking a break from the strenuous hikes for now.

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newtrout
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Joined: 04 Jul 2005
Posts: 125 | TRs | Pics
Location: Central Washington
newtrout
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PostWed Jul 01, 2009 12:35 pm 
Great pics. Thanks for the report. I'd like to know the fishing report as well. Still lots of little cutts in Cooney? I can't wait to get back up there.

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Get Out and Go
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Joined: 13 Nov 2004
Posts: 2127 | TRs | Pics
Location: Leavenworth
Get Out and Go
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PostThu Jul 02, 2009 8:48 am 
-No luck and no signs of fish at Sunrise, but Cooney has a lot of 5"-9" Cutthroats. - As for elevation gain, slow & easy but steady up to the Cooney Junction, then some switchbacks to reach the basin. I believe the gain is about 3000' to the lower meadow. Count on more to explore the good stuff.

"These are the places you will find me hiding'...These are the places I will always go." (Down in the Valley by The Head and The Heart) "Sometimes you're happy. Sometimes you cry. Half of me is ocean. Half of me is sky." (Thanks, Tom Petty)
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