Mon Aug 31, 2009 8:41 pm crater mountain - 2009-08-30
not many mountains in WA allow you to take a veritable trail all the way to the top of a mountain this tall with views like this. at EL 8128', it sits at no. 153 on the top 200 list.
hollywood and i took off from the canyon creek trailhead under clear blue skies and a most perfect temperature. everything was uber straightforward the whole day. by the time we reached crater lake, ripe blueberries could be found practically anywhere you look.
while some might not find the appearance of crater lake to their liking, i took particular delight in seeing it. random dead trees, live bushes, and other mountain debris were spread randomly throughout the lake. it felt like a helpless little lake that was set in a grand cirque surrounding, and for some odd reason, reminded me of my dad who enjoyed seeing tiny, old towns along the road on our bike trip across the country two years ago.
the lake is the last source of water on the south side of crater. we followed the very obvious trail southwest from the lake and eventually found ourselves on another series of switchbacks following up the ridge. the grade was quite gentle, though stats say it's close to 900'/mile. views of the north cascades and pickets emerged with each step. wonderful.
soon we were at the base of the summit block where large yellow painted arrows and circles with 'X' in the middle guided us most of the remainder of the trip. it was mostly 2nd class, with an occasional 3rd class move tossed in there for fun. a series of ramps takes you up most of the way along with a tiny gully or two.
the summit was large and flat and sprinkled with glass and debris from the former lookout. peering north, we saw jerry lakes, which looked blissfully clear and inviting, along with the large lake that's formed at the foot of jerry glacier. that lake is easily the most stunning sight i've yet to see in nature. it's brightness didn't even seem possible - like someone was lighting it from beneath.
after an hour or so on the summit, and talking with a couple and their 18 month old, we sadly headed down. walking downhill is still quite challenging for my atrophied muscles and knees that haven't seen much compression for the past ten weeks, so i was certainly happy to see the car.
i'm sure hollywood will post some of his pics and topo route. his gps said:
14.5 miles
6350'
-------------- “to give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.” -steve prefontaine
iron broke his femur 9 weeks ago. his recovery must be historic. the day prior to this trip he did a 120 mile bike ride. i of course boosted his ego as he effortlessly ascended the 6300' of elevation gain while i pretended to be all sweaty and winded. i am sure he never suspected that i was just acting. he on the other hand, was never out of breath.
i had heard the scramble route was a little difficult. after doing the route, all i can say is we were followed up to the summit by a young couple with a one year old baby in a backup!
5:00 trailhead to summit (iron had to go slow for my sake)
1:09 summit
4:07 summit to trailhead (iron had to go slow for safety sake)
14.43mi 6349' gain
Great job, iron. Very happy to see you feeling well enough to tackle such an outing.
-------------- .....leaving me wanting to return over and over in what ever capacity that may be, even if one day my knees are too old and I can only see the mountains from my porch.
Joined: 02 Mar 2003 Posts: 8568 | TRs | Pics Location: Going to Tukwila
Mon Aug 31, 2009 9:54 pm
Tom wrote:
Holy cow. We all figured you'd recover quick but it's pretty impressive that you're climbing Crater a mere 9 weeks after leaving the hospital?!?
Hell of a comeback, Iron!
-------------- "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke
"Ignorance is natural. Stupidity takes commitment." -Solomon Short
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 You cannot attach files in this forum You can download files in this forum
