Forum Index > Trip Reports > Buckhorn Pass 06.26 & 27.10
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NWtrax
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Joined: 27 Apr 2008
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NWtrax
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PostTue Jun 29, 2010 9:33 pm 
We had periodic showers and heavy gray skies on the drive over. Crossing Hood Canal bridge the mountains were completely covered in clouds. Weather slowly broke and we arrived to five or six other cars and mostly blue sky above at the Tubal Cain TH. Rhodies are blooming nicely in the first mile and should be even better the following two miles over the next couple weeks.
After crossing Copper Creek, we headed up the long gradual switchbacks towards Buckhorn Pass. A lot of open meadow with wildflowers blooming throughout. We saw a bear shortly before reaching the Buckhorn Lake way trail. We were down wind and spent about 15 min watching it grub. We got 4L of water just down the lake trail, but wound up passing the same stream three more times on the way up. Probably not an option late in the year?
Small patches of snow start to cover the trail above 5k'. Deeper snow and some postholing within the last mile of the pass. We were greeted with lots of sunshine and wonderful views of the peaks across the Dungeness Valley. Had a couple coldies and took in the beauty of it all.
from Buckhorn Pass
from Buckhorn Pass
Baldy
Baldy
A couple guys we met along the way went up towards Buckhorn stopping short and returned, (along with another group of 20?) that had tried to go to Marmot Pass unsuccessfully. Fortunately they were all camping back down at Tubal Cain. smile.gif We threw on our sandals and headed N instead towards Peak 6628 where it was dry. More nice views and endless scrambling opportunties.
Buckhorn
Buckhorn
Had a real nice sunset and some amazing clouds that stuck around and put on quite a show when the full moon finally made its way over Buckhorn. I found the area around the pass to be too sensitive for camping and one should head either N or S from the pass to find appropriate space.
Gray Wolf Ridge
Gray Wolf Ridge
Mt Worthington
Mt Worthington
Iron / Buckhorn
Iron / Buckhorn
Snow was more consolidated on the way out in the morning after heavy traffic, no postholing smile.gif Trail smelled of a fresh bouquet with all the colors of the rainbow. Soul refreshed!
Tubal Cain Trail
Tubal Cain Trail

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half fast
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Joined: 21 Mar 2010
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Location: Living the dream in my 5th Wheel
half fast
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PostTue Jun 29, 2010 9:50 pm 
Nice TR and wonderful photos up.gif up.gif This is on my to-do list this year and seeing your photos has me even more excited about it !! Sounds like you had a wonderful time. Seeing that scenery first hand must have been awesome. Thanks for sharing

It's all about the fun, oh and maybe the chocolate - half fast
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forest gnome
Forest nut...



Joined: 24 Apr 2003
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Location: north cascades!!
forest gnome
Forest nut...
PostTue Jun 29, 2010 10:16 pm 
well I have to dig out a map...in one of the buckhorn pic's is that where the lake is , you no mention getting to lakeeee..... and wow some good pic's to frame -up for you.....

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bobbi
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Joined: 13 Jul 2006
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Location: olympics!
bobbi
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PostTue Jun 29, 2010 10:30 pm 
i will repeat myself.......i am lovin' the TRs from the olympics wub.gif thanks for sharing.........great photos! up.gif no closeup of bear? i am wanting to go 'everywhere'!

bobbi ૐ "Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So…get on your way!" - Oh, the Places You’ll Go! By Dr. Seuss
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Ancient Ambler
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PostWed Jun 30, 2010 6:16 am 
Thanks for the TR and photos. Your shots of the Tyler-Baldy ridge show that it's now possible to get up to Tyler Peak or Mount Baldy without having to deal with extensive snow. A very welcome development.

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Tag Man
side hiller



Joined: 20 May 2008
Posts: 602 | TRs | Pics
Location: Where the roots all twist...
Tag Man
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PostWed Jun 30, 2010 9:53 am 
I'm with AA, that Tyler shot looks enticing! Thanks for the report.

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kite
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kite
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PostWed Jun 30, 2010 10:26 am 
Nice! up.gif

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HundsSolo
Baby Step Hiking :o)



Joined: 06 Jun 2009
Posts: 1435 | TRs | Pics
Location: Olympia, Wa
HundsSolo
Baby Step Hiking :o)
PostWed Jun 30, 2010 9:32 pm 
What a difference from last summer when I went and got eaten up by bugs, especially by the Tubal-Cain camp ground. It wasn't bad up on top though. Maybe I will go before the bugs wake up and the rodies are gone. wink.gif Nice TR and pic's.

The Mountains are Calling - I must go and PLAY! If you don't Respect Mother Nature, Mother Nature won't respect you. Wag More and Bark Less smile.gif
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PTLateHiker
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Joined: 11 Feb 2004
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Location: Port Townsend
PTLateHiker
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PostThu Jul 01, 2010 7:58 am 
Buckhorn Snow Levels
Great trip report. This is one of my favorite spots particularly the long wildflower traverse after Tubal Cain. Check out the difference in snow levels from my picture taken on the 6th of June last year:
I dry camped on the ridge by schlepping water from Copper Creek. I also discovered too late the snowmelt streams near the top - but be aware they are not running in the morning.

"back at camp the mountain peak still in my legs" - Yu Chang
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reststep
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reststep
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PostThu Jul 01, 2010 12:35 pm 
Beautiful, thanks for the report. It looks like Goat Lake is still snowed in.

"The mountains are calling and I must go." - John Muir
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Hikingqueen
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PostThu Jul 01, 2010 1:40 pm 
Loved it! up.gif

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