Forum Index > Trip Reports > Opportunity Mountain, Painters Thumb (Chiwaukum) - 7/11/09
 Reply to topic
Previous :: Next Topic
Author Message
Randy
Cube Rat



Joined: 18 Dec 2001
Posts: 2910 | TRs | Pics
Location: Near the Siamangs
Randy
Cube Rat
PostTue Jul 14, 2009 12:39 pm 
It’s true what they say; the best thing about some peaks is drawing a line through them when you get home. The Backcourt peaks were some of the first places I visited while making the transition from lake OCD to peak OCD. I remain loyal to the cause, but sometimes against my better judgment. Thursday of last week, Mike Collins invited me on this extended day trip. I had never liked the idea of the 12-mile approach into Opportunity, but I figured with the longer days this was as good a time as any, so Mike and I connected for the second straight week to make it happen. With heads down we stomped out the first 6 miles or so in good time. We came to our first creek crossing and our only footlog of the day.
Crossing Chiwaukum Creek, Our Only Footlog of the Day
Crossing Chiwaukum Creek, Our Only Footlog of the Day
We continued up along the South Fork of Chiwaukum Creek until we were interrupted by a snake in the trail. Rubber boas don’t bite when investigated; instead they twist and constrict themselves into odd shapes just long enough for you to lose interest and walk away. However, they will make false strikes with their tail in an apparent parental distraction move while they consume young mice and birds.
Northern Rubber Boa, Constricting Phase.
Northern Rubber Boa, Constricting Phase.
At 7.4 miles we came to the intersection with the Painter Creek trail then continued another 1.6 miles to the intersection with the Index Creek Trail. After Painter Creek, the trail starts to lose its form and is encroached more often by brush.
On the trail, South Fork Chiwaukum Creek
On the trail, South Fork Chiwaukum Creek
At 10 miles, we broke out into a great meadow below Opportunity. A heinous brush slope lay above us, but the route further ahead didn’t guarantee better options.
Meadows Along the Creek
Meadows Along the Creek
We went for the brush and paid a price. Over 900’ vertical feet of pure suck-fest.
Flop and Lean - Making a Route to Opportunity
Flop and Lean - Making a Route to Opportunity
Hating the Route, Mike Emerges
Hating the Route, Mike Emerges
Around 5500’ things improved. We crossed the major drainage separating Point 7157’ from Opportunity then continued up open slopes to the ridge near the summit.
High on Opportunity (~ 6800':)
High on Opportunity (~ 6800')
Blooms High on Opportunity
Blooms High on Opportunity
An easy walk got us to the summit after 5.75 hours on the move. My first order of business was to check out Lake Charles. For 10 years I’ve always wanted to see this lake, but unfortunately it was still covered in snow!
The Elusive Lake Charles
The Elusive Lake Charles
Mike on Opportunity
Mike on Opportunity
Rock Fin, Opportunity Summit
Rock Fin, Opportunity Summit
A View North, Opportunity Summit Area
A View North, Opportunity Summit Area
Near the summit I noticed two large bucks heading down off the mountain in a different location than we had ascended. I was determined to find a better way down, so we followed their route and sure enough our descent was smooth through open forest. The deer know what’s up. It took us an hour to get from the summit back to the trail and soon we were back at the trail junction with Index Creek. Time to wade.
Muscling the South Fork
Muscling the South Fork
Must Not Swim, South Fork Chiwaukum Creek
Must Not Swim, South Fork Chiwaukum Creek
Once across, we followed the Index Creek trail for about 200 yards then left it and went straight up hill towards the summit of Painters Thumb. We gradually worked up and left until we intersected the SW ridge at 5300’.
Opportunity (R of C) From High on Painters Thumb
Opportunity (R of C) From High on Painters Thumb
The ridge goes direct to the summit with easy travel the entire way.
Painters Thumb Summit Area
Painters Thumb Summit Area
Summit View (SW), Index Creek Drainage
Summit View (SW), Index Creek Drainage
Painters Thumb Summit Snags
Painters Thumb Summit Snags
We mixed things up a bit on the descent in order to see some new terrain. We dropped to the NE down into the Painter Creek drainage. This was a good move as the travel was far easier than a drop back to Index Creek.
Bear Sign, Painters Thumb East Slopes
Bear Sign, Painters Thumb East Slopes
Painters Thumb East Slope
Painters Thumb East Slope
Blooms on the Descent
Blooms on the Descent
Big Jim
Big Jim
The walk out Painter Creek was a highlight of the trip. Very scenic and lonely country through here.
Painter Creek
Painter Creek
Walls Along Painter Creek Trail
Walls Along Painter Creek Trail
Descending Painter Creek Trail
Descending Painter Creek Trail
Fault Line, Painter Creek
Fault Line, Painter Creek
Praying on the Fault, Crossing Painter Creek (~4400':)
Praying on the Fault, Crossing Painter Creek (~4400')
We took a left at the junction with the Hatchery Creek/Badlands trail and descended 1500’ back to the South Fork of Chiwaukum Creek. After a full day of snow melt the creek was raging. Ack!
Final Chiwaukum Crossing = Scary
Final Chiwaukum Crossing = Scary
My camera went berserk on me and I didn’t get any pictures of us crossing, but it was interesting nonetheless. Once on the other side, we prepped for the long walk back to the cars. I started to comment that we needed to watch out for our rubber boa on the way out when all of the sudden we saw another, larger one spread out across the trail. I had never seen one of these before this trip and we got two in one day, cool!
Northern Rubber Boa, Heating Phase
Northern Rubber Boa, Heating Phase
As is usually the case, the last few miles were long and we eventually had to get the headlamps out. This trip turned out to be much more about the adventure and camaraderie than the summits, but it was nice to take a Sharpie to the list when I got home! Numbers: 25 miles, 9100’, 15 hours

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Justus S.
Member
Member


Joined: 17 Nov 2004
Posts: 1298 | TRs | Pics
Location: WA
Justus S.
Member
PostTue Jul 14, 2009 12:53 pm 
Sounds like a very long day. Nice work! up.gif I guess the plus side to the creek crossings is you guys got to cool off.

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Randy
Cube Rat



Joined: 18 Dec 2001
Posts: 2910 | TRs | Pics
Location: Near the Siamangs
Randy
Cube Rat
PostTue Jul 14, 2009 1:23 pm 
I was surprised to see your name on Painters. As you know it's a long ways in there!

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Yet
Member
Member


Joined: 23 Apr 2005
Posts: 2634 | TRs | Pics
Location: Happily Ever After
Yet
Member
PostTue Jul 14, 2009 1:32 pm 
Randy, I'm curious what color Sharpie you used to cross this one off? biggrin.gif You do such interesting trips! up.gif

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
wildernessed
viewbagger



Joined: 31 Oct 2004
Posts: 9275 | TRs | Pics
Location: Wenatchee
wildernessed
viewbagger
PostTue Jul 14, 2009 1:39 pm 
hmmm.gif Wowza ! You guys must be down to a 100 lb. by now. winksmile.gif

Living in the Anthropocene
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Stefan
Member
Member


Joined: 17 Dec 2001
Posts: 5085 | TRs | Pics
Stefan
Member
PostTue Jul 14, 2009 1:47 pm 
Glad to see I am not the only person out there torturing my body. DOOD that is a long day!!!

Art is an adventure.
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Randy
Cube Rat



Joined: 18 Dec 2001
Posts: 2910 | TRs | Pics
Location: Near the Siamangs
Randy
Cube Rat
PostTue Jul 14, 2009 1:54 pm 
Yet wrote:
Randy, I'm curious what color Sharpie you used to cross this one off? biggrin.gif You do such interesting trips! up.gif
BLACK There can be no doubts.

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Randy
Cube Rat



Joined: 18 Dec 2001
Posts: 2910 | TRs | Pics
Location: Near the Siamangs
Randy
Cube Rat
PostTue Jul 14, 2009 1:55 pm 
wildernessed wrote:
hmmm.gif Wowza ! You guys must be down to a 100 lb. by now. winksmile.gif
No. I still have my love handles!

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
DIYSteve
seeking hygge



Joined: 06 Mar 2007
Posts: 12655 | TRs | Pics
Location: here now
DIYSteve
seeking hygge
PostTue Jul 14, 2009 2:08 pm 
25 miles and 9100 verts -- yeah baby! Looks like a great grunt adventure! up.gif

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
yukon222
Member
Member


Joined: 12 Mar 2007
Posts: 1893 | TRs | Pics
yukon222
Member
PostTue Jul 14, 2009 2:11 pm 
25 miles?!!? How many 8 1/2" x 11" pieces of paper did you need for your maps? lol.gif That's quite a "dayhike" in this summer heat. hockeygrin.gif Don't you love hiking next to those fast rushing icy cold streams while baking in the heat? And of course, sometimes, be unable to get close enough to the creek to cool off. embarassedlaugh.gif up.gif

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Type E
Member
Member


Joined: 19 Aug 2006
Posts: 1381 | TRs | Pics
Type E
Member
PostTue Jul 14, 2009 3:11 pm 
I am surprised you didn't climb Opportunity via Upper Grace Lakes it seems like a straighforward and shorter route. I have had way too much creek crossings lately. I am sure after as many as the two of you did on your trip you probably feel the same way. E

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
wildernessed
viewbagger



Joined: 31 Oct 2004
Posts: 9275 | TRs | Pics
Location: Wenatchee
wildernessed
viewbagger
PostTue Jul 14, 2009 3:11 pm 
Randy wrote:
wildernessed wrote:
hmmm.gif Wowza ! You guys must be down to a 100 lb. by now. winksmile.gif
No. I still have my love handles!
Randy, I think those are called kidneys. I'm taking another week off just from reading your TR. winksmile.gif

Living in the Anthropocene
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Mtn Man
Snow addict



Joined: 13 Jan 2008
Posts: 552 | TRs | Pics
Location: Shoreline, WA
Mtn Man
Snow addict
PostTue Jul 14, 2009 3:21 pm 
I think you're officially "in shape" now. Nice TR! B)

Mmmmm, backcountry...
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Randy
Cube Rat



Joined: 18 Dec 2001
Posts: 2910 | TRs | Pics
Location: Near the Siamangs
Randy
Cube Rat
PostTue Jul 14, 2009 3:41 pm 
Type E wrote:
I am surprised you didn't climb Opportunity via Upper Grace Lakes it seems like a straighforward and shorter route. I have had way too much creek crossings lately. I am sure after as many as the two of you did on your trip you probably feel the same way. E
Not sure if it's as efficient if doing both peaks. I wasn't going to go back in here for Painters.

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Schmidt Alti-Babe
The Ice Queen



Joined: 11 Mar 2008
Posts: 606 | TRs | Pics
Location: Buried by backlogged pictures
Schmidt Alti-Babe
The Ice Queen
PostTue Jul 14, 2009 11:54 pm 
I wasn't aware of Opportunity Mountain and Painters Thumb though that's an area I'm very interested in. I too have longed to visit Lake Charles. Old lake bagger habits die hard I guess. embarassedlaugh.gif Great trip report! cool.gif

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
   All times are GMT - 8 Hours
 Reply to topic
Forum Index > Trip Reports > Opportunity Mountain, Painters Thumb (Chiwaukum) - 7/11/09
  Happy Birthday noahk!
Jump to:   
Search this topic:

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum