Forum Index > Trip Reports > Tower Mountain convergence, October 2nd 2010
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huron
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Joined: 13 Sep 2004
Posts: 1028 | TRs | Pics
huron
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PostSun Oct 03, 2010 10:03 am 
View Tower & Golden Horn in a larger map Tower Mountain rises 8,444 into the heart of the North Cascades. The customary approach uses 10 miles of the PCT beginning from the Rainy Pass trail head. Another approach documented here by Tazz and team is a 4 mile bushwhack up Swamp Creek beginning shortly after the Easy Pass trail head. We sampled both to converge on Tower Mountain from two directions.
Swamp creek bushwhack route
Swamp creek bushwhack route
Twodogdad and 11thEssential came from the PCT while Mesahchie Mark, The Doctor (don't call him that) and I took the bushwhack. Others will chime in with specifics, but there appears to be about 1 hour and 800 feet of elevation to be saved by taking the shwack. The price to be paid for that is a lack of views along the way and possible wet boots while crossing minor bogs and streams. The going can be made easier by staying slightly higher on the South side of Swamp Creek and by following the intermittent game trails along the way. Both access routes converge at the spur trail from PCT running up to Snowy Lake.
PCT spur trail to Snowy Lake
PCT spur trail to Snowy Lake
From there, a scree field runs up to a small cave Tower's West face. Go South on a ledge from the cave to the foot of the largest central gulley. Carns mark easy routes up the gulley, but many variations are possible. Under the white wall, traverse right to access the summit's large boulder pile. No register was found. Brought rope and protection. Used none except for an unnecessary novelty rappel. Helmet advised.
Central gulley route
Central gulley route
The white wall
The white wall
Om nom nom nom.
Om nom nom nom.
Larch grove
Larch grove

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wildernessed
viewbagger



Joined: 31 Oct 2004
Posts: 9275 | TRs | Pics
Location: Wenatchee
wildernessed
viewbagger
PostSun Oct 03, 2010 10:11 am 
up.gif Nice pics and beta shots. The PCT route sounds more scenic.

Living in the Anthropocene
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Go Jo
of the lykkens



Joined: 08 Jun 2003
Posts: 2248 | TRs | Pics
Location: Around The Bend
Go Jo
of the lykkens
PostSun Oct 03, 2010 11:32 am 
+

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Mesahchie Mark
A Lerxst



Joined: 10 May 2005
Posts: 700 | TRs | Pics
Location: In Wonderland
Mesahchie Mark
A Lerxst
PostMon Oct 04, 2010 9:40 pm 
A great trip under perfect Autumn conditions! I do relish the thought of never having to bushwhack Swamp Creek again, however. smile.gif Tower has splendid position from which to view much of the N Cascades. For the standard route, our five member team was probably max for safety, given the potential for rockfall. As always, a pleasure to climb with Magnum and TDD. It was a bonus to see Steve on a real mountain and to finally meet the 11th Essential! Here are some more pics:
Swamp Creek
Swamp Creek
Sidehillin'
Sidehillin'
The White Wall
The White Wall
11E looking back
11E looking back
Steep!
Steep!
Long Way Down the Other Side
Long Way Down the Other Side
Magnum in the catbird's seat
Magnum in the catbird's seat
Golden Horn and Friends
Golden Horn and Friends
View toward Black
View toward Black
Gratuitous Larch pic
Gratuitous Larch pic

Cheers, Mesahchie Mark
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Magellan
Brutally Handsome



Joined: 26 Jul 2006
Posts: 13116 | TRs | Pics
Location: Inexorable descent
Magellan
Brutally Handsome
PostMon Oct 04, 2010 9:49 pm 
Nice day trip fellas! up.gif up.gif NWHikers coming from every direction; I like it.

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11th Essential
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Joined: 09 Jun 2007
Posts: 203 | TRs | Pics
Location: Shoreline, WA
11th Essential
Member
PostThu Oct 07, 2010 9:57 pm 
This was a great trip, was glad to be able to join in. Finally got my pictures downloaded so I could add them to the TR. biggrin.gif
Heading into a grove of larches
Heading into a grove of larches
Golden Larches
Golden Larches
On PCT at Cuthroat Pass
On PCT at Cuthroat Pass
Tower Mtn and Golden Horn near sunset
Tower Mtn and Golden Horn near sunset
Larches at Lower Snowy Lake, early morning
Larches at Lower Snowy Lake, early morning
Golden Horn Reflection
Golden Horn Reflection
Campsite among the larches
Campsite among the larches
Niko on traverse
Niko on traverse
Swamp Creek Valley
Swamp Creek Valley
At the cave
At the cave
View to the Snowy Lakes
View to the Snowy Lakes
Eldorado in the distance
Eldorado in the distance
Scramling Up
Scramling Up
Continuing Up...
Continuing Up...
Approaching the White V
Approaching the White V
Niko and Mark near the top
Niko and Mark near the top
At the Tower Cairn
At the Tower Cairn
Niko on Top
Niko on Top
Larches as seen from the summit
Larches as seen from the summit
Looking across to Golden Horn
Looking across to Golden Horn
View down to Snowy Lakes
View down to Snowy Lakes
Looking back up the Gulley
Looking back up the Gulley
Scrambling down to the Swamp Creek valley
Scrambling down to the Swamp Creek valley

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