[Sadie's Driver]

It only took 37 e-mails to organize today's adventure! What with the avy conditions and the "30% chance of rain/thunderstorms" we couldn't decide where to go. Five ladies and five dogs (in order of planned appearance): Tish and the Whippets Elle and Izzy Lisa (unaccompanied) Carla and Jack Driver and Gus were to be the group. Carla had never done Dirty Face and the rest of us had never done the true summit . . so, we figured "Why not?" If we didn't like the looks of the conditions - we would turn around. Alas, Tish and the Whippets exited prior to our departure - so it would leave 4 ladies and 3 dogs to sit on the 'Face. We had a bit of a delayed departure, but once all in one vehicle, off we headed. Traffic was fine. Got to the trailhead and started around 10:15 a.m. The mosquitoes were in fine form . . The oh-so-in-demand Carla had to check her messages . . .

Excuse me, I have to take this one . . . it's my agent!

and then she made a stop at the trailhead . . .

Carla looking for candy

Already, it was fairly warm - the Driver started off in shorts and it wasn't long before others were shedding various pieces of clothing. Gus, of course, could find ways to cool himself.

Mud bath

This would be a dirt hike from the start at about 2000' all the way to about 4600'.

Dogs finding the first patch of snow and doing cute "dog rolls"

Conditions were a bit different then they were almost exactly a year ago: Dirty Face 2009 Along the way, we saw lots and lots of flowers.

Spent Trillium

Lovely color

Lovely Trillium

Paintbrush

Balsamroot and Indian Paintbrush and Lupine

Glacier Lilies - sans glacier

and, perhaps the most appropriate of the day:

How appropriate: Hooker's Fairybells!

Not much to say about our route - we pretty much just followed the summer trail - even while on snow. The snow was in very good condition - even on this mostly south facing approach. It was a lovely, lovely day and warming with each minute - we worried that the snow would get looser and looser farther up and on the other slopes we had yet to traverse. But, in the meantime, we took in the views.

Lake Wenatchee below

Alll - lovely views

Elle and Lisa stopped at about 5400' to consider our route - it's about here where most recommend veering off to the north to head towards the true summit - or the "third face" - yet there was discussion of "tagging" the lookout and making our way from there . . . what to do?

Elle and Lisa contemplating our route

Onward we pressed towards the old lookout spot - and within I believe it was 11 1/2 minutes, we were there!

Lookout "summit" (or, "south" Dirtyface - didn't know there could be so many Dirtyfaces!)

Elle looking out on Lookout

Carla surveying . . .

Lisa on Lookout summit deciding our next destination

Driver and Gus on the summit

Well, there was much discourse and discussion about our plans. Which Face should we seek? It was 12:30 and we were in a quandary . . .

Map consultation

Meanwhile, the Driver and Gus also pondered the next move . . .

Driver and Gus soakin' in the rays and watchin' the

Sun dog!

We were clearly visualizing the true summit. While Gus was conserving his energy, Jack and Izzy were keeping themselves busy with a constant game of "who can tag whom first?" And, there seemed to be much activity among the Ladybug colony this fine day.

Jack and Izzy

Lady bugs doing things . . .

After more than an hour of strenuous debate and much Vitamin D absorption, we set up for the obligatory group shot.

Group shot sittin' on the 'Face!

Figuring that we had reached the end of our trail and the only Face we would achieve this day, we were ready to head out. BUT WAIT, what's this

Our fire look-outs!

Fire has spread

it had looked like this about three hours ago . . .

The fire . . . in the beginning

Well, being the good Girl Scouts that we are and taking our immediate role of volunteer fire-watchers seriously, we did what any responsible "fire looker" would do . . .

Fire Look-Outs On Duty! Our job finished, down we headed.

Heading down

Even managed a fairly decent glissade - Lisa opting to keep a dry butt on this one.

Lisa coming down the glissade slope

Elle and Carla in the silver trees

Before long, we were back at the car - not a single car at the trailhead. When we were on our way up, there had been one small pick-up truck and we encountered a guy and his dog doing some trail maintenance below the waterfall area - but they were long gone by the time we got back. At home that morning, the Driver had discovered a tin of unopened Frango mints that had been a Christmas gift - so she had tossed those into the car - and after much sampling, we all agreed that they were still suitable for eating! Deciding that it was much too early on a Friday to call it quits, we stopped in Sultan (we had thought about Leavenworth - but we realized that would be heading EAST instead of WEST) so Lisa could get a bowl of soup - but we didn't want her to eat alone, so we ordered Margaritas (and a Dos Equis or two for Carla). Back on the road and we were at the Brick Yard by about 6:00 p.m. What a fine, fine day, with some fine, fine women - and, enthusiastic 4-paw trailmates! We agreed that this called for re-enactment sometime in the very near future! (BTW, we never did figure out what the fire was - it looked a bit large to be a controlled burn, but we didn't see any news on it, so it might not have been anything.) Details: 9 miles roundtrip 4000' 6 hours total (including about 1.5 hours at the lookout) Poles and boots and gaiters. Carried the dang snowshoes and ice ax but didn't need either.

[PeteChaus]

Leash?

[Sadie's Driver]

[Movenhike]

Great report..haven't been there in years.

[loper]

Was a good day in the mountains! Thanks for organizing Suzanne and fun getting out with all of you. Lisa

[BarbE]

Wish I could have joined you Great company, flowers, happy dogs, fire, sundogs, ladybugs and sitting on Dirty Face. Looks like you had it all.

[Mtn Man]

Everyone needs to sit on a Dirty Face once in a while, fun TR! B)

[DIYSteve]