[Hulksmash]

So the plan was to head up Iodine Gulch, and spend the night. Not that there is anything to see up there. The trail is brushy as ever, lots of blow downs to scramble over. But, the wild flowers are blooming.

Wild Flowers

Broke out of the Marine layer, for the most part above Bear Lake. An occasional cloud would rise and blow through. It was a great day for a hike. The view of the tarn just before Pinnacle is almost worth the trip by it's self.

Tarn

Tarn before Pinnacle Lake

Reflection in Tarn

I was shocked to see fish jumping in the tarn. I figured it would freeze solid in the winter. A closer inspection revealed it as not fish. This is the best photo, sorry it's not better.

Pacific Giant Salamander Larvae

Pretty sure they are Giant Pacific Salamander, or some similar species in the larvae stage. Still surprising since they are usually found in clear streams, not tarns full of tannins. What ever was hatching (and attacking me ) the were launching them selves out of the water like fish in an effort to eat it. I believe i witnessed some thing unusual. After i had my fill of amusement, i continued on to Pinnacle. That's where things went down hill. There was Toilet Paper In The Lake. Beer cans scattered about, and in the lake. The even had the courtesy to leave a trash bag with trash in it. The bag was chewed on in several places from critters trying to get at the scraps of food within. Now spoiled....oh yea...hot dogs really do turn green...at least i think it was a hot dog. It had a certain fragrance to it. They even decided to shoot up some glass bottles on top of a stump. I collected the trash scattered about, tied knots in the critter caused holes in the bag and place the trash in the bag. Went swimming for beer cans. About five minutes is all i could stand in that water... still cold with snow melt. Just as well, cause i stirred up so much sediment it was impossible to see the trash in the bottom of the lake.

Beer Can on a stump

Shot up Glass Bottle

Pinnacle Lake

I did find one unopened beer.

Unopened Beer found in Pinnacle Lake

Maybe i'll auction it off and donate the proceeds to charity.

[GeoHiker]

Hey, that's really weird about the sallys. Never seen that. Maybe they've morphed into some alien fish/creature. WTG on the garbage clean up. When I see glass all shot up I go ballistic. Would love to catch some $%^& doing that and see how they like being shot up!...... Is Rainier beer even brewed now days? Hang on to that it might be worth some thing.

[realityguy]

They must have been really screwed up to forget a sealed beer! Unfortunately they didn't fight over it and end up like the bottles.. We went up that trail at the beginning of last year and there were a lot of blow-downs and bush-junk across the trail,appeared the trail hadn't been cleared in years. There were a couple guys up there the same day and ahead of us using a GPS to find the trail..We followed their footsteps near the top to find the lake. There wasn't any trash around that trip,unless it was under snow, so probably what you are seeing was just last season.I think because the road washed out and the two ladies getting killed up there..probably put a big dent in the population willing to hike that trail for several years..Was the Plaque still up there?I'm surprised the good-ole-boys didn't use that for target practice...

[Tigerotor77W]

Some of the "custodians" of our parks really piss me off -- increasingly, I get the impression that people think the entire park is theirs and that tossing garbage around is fine because what's one piece of litter going to do? I know someone who's out camping this weekend and I fear for what he's going to do to whatever campsite he's in. Thanks for cleaning up again, hulksmash.

[Boots]

Nice work on the cleanup Some people haven't a clue.

[Slugman]

I once saw a giant salamander in the tiny lake just before Foggy lake in Gothic basin. It is a rare sight, but very cool.

[Hulksmash]

Finally got the video to upload. Yes they packed in fire wood, its beginning to become a common theme. Pack in firewood and beer....trash the place. I refuse to call anyone who packs in fire wood that far lazy. They are healthy enough to pack it in, they are certainly strong enough to pack it out. But that did not happen....why...cause there are just plain ass hats. Also, i did not pick up the glass, as i did not have a hard sided container to transport it in. Oh and Rainier Beeer is still sold. EDIT: I submitted my "story" to there site...i bet ya the don't post it.

[Tom_Sjolseth]

Thanks for the hard work, Hulk.

[evergreenhiker]

Is the road still closed before the trailhead? Cool pics! The area above the gulch is cool....Bathtub Lakes. Went up there for my 3000th geocache that same year the two woman were killed up by Pinnacle. Kinda spooky seeing the ribbons marking the scene where the tragedy took place.

[Backpacker Joe]

Thanks again Brian. I think it would have been to early for whats above the gulch anyway.

[Hulksmash]

Evergreen The road is still washed out. Parking is essentially at Ashland trail head. It's only a mile and a half...but on the way back it seems to take for ever. Every time there's a corner in the road ya think the car is around that corner, then another corner. Kind of like meadows along the Little Wenatchee trail. I hate that road. I wonder it they will ever fix it? Oh and i hiked that trail July 10th 2006. BPJ there's still a stubborn patch of snow at the top of the gulch....slipping in that and "self arresting" on the talus below is not exactly my ideal choice.

[Tyler]

Gotta love white trash Stereotypes are lame but I'm sorry...WTF! Thanks Hulksmash, for everything you do

[Cody s]

Thanks hulk I got a cheapo gps and was thinkin' about heading up after monte cristo this weekend. If you by any small chance have the coordinates of the glass and some tips on hauling it out ( maybe some quart jars or something ) I wouldn't mind picking it up. My little version of a geocache.

[Hikingqueen]

excellent pics and report and thank you so much for helping keep these places looking good for us.

[Movenhike]

[quote="Movenhike"]That's a super form of empathy and contribution Cody S. Hulk, right on for all you do. I've done some post-party cleanup lately (in SE Montana {red shale CG} ) curse words are appropriate Every single piece of trash that I pick-up I think "why the EeFF couldn't they just set it aside and take it with them when they leave?????????? MOrons!!!