Forum Index > Trip Reports > Kendall Peak Lakes (well 2 of em) 10/06/2010
 Reply to topic
Previous :: Next Topic
Author Message
tigermn
Member
Member


Joined: 10 Jul 2007
Posts: 9242 | TRs | Pics
Location: There...
tigermn
Member
PostThu Oct 07, 2010 9:29 pm 
Wednesday had time constraints so opted to visit Kendall Peak Lakes in the summer. Had only been up previously in the winter.
Kendall Peak Lakes south map.
Kendall Peak Lakes south map.
Kendall Peak Lakes north map.
Kendall Peak Lakes north map.
I drove to the trailhead where the road is blocked for any further driving. There were a few cars already parked when I arrived about 08:30AM.
Kendall Peak trailhead about 1/2 mile from freeway on a pothole infested (in winter snow covered) road.
Kendall Peak trailhead about 1/2 mile from freeway on a pothole infested (in winter snow covered) road.
It was a nice roadwalk up with some traces of fall along the way.
Fall on the trail.
Fall on the trail.
Fall on the trail.
Fall on the trail.
Fall on the trail and some lower clouds soon to burn off.
Fall on the trail and some lower clouds soon to burn off.
A few views pop up along the way.
Views from road/trail.
Views from road/trail.
Views from road/trail.
Views from road/trail.
Views from road/trail.
Views from road/trail.
Views from road/trail.
Views from road/trail.
Views from road/trail.
Views from road/trail.
Views from road/trail.
Views from road/trail.
Got to the switchback where I had seen a trailhead sign in the winter. Turns out it was hidden in brush now. I had a GPS coordinate and found a faint trail that let me there.
Switchback to leave for trail.
Switchback to leave for trail.
Trail sign after a semi bushwhack.
Trail sign after a semi bushwhack.
There is a trail but it is very brushy and hard to follow in places.
Trail continues but is hard to follow at times and very brushy in places.
Trail continues but is hard to follow at times and very brushy in places.
I pushed through the brush and kind of started to lose the trail but I knew I was near the road above so I pushed on the final few hundred feet.
Joined road and views towards Rainier.
Joined road and views towards Rainier.
Heading on the road I found a trail of sorts that looked like it headed towards the lakes. This place sure looks different with snow! I followed it and arrived at the first pond (lake).
Fall in the meadow before first lake.
Fall in the meadow before first lake.
First lake.
First lake.
First lake.
First lake.
First lake.
First lake.
The real trail actually goes around to the left of the 1st lake. The winter route goes right. A short distance later I was at the 2nd lake. For some reason I thought it was the 3rd one but...
Second Kendal Lake.
Second Kendal Lake.
Second Kendal Lake.
Second Kendal Lake.
Second Kendal Lake.
Second Kendal Lake.
Second Kendal Lake.
Second Kendal Lake.
Second Kendal Lake.
Second Kendal Lake.
Since I thought I was at the 3rd lake having missed the 2nd one I turned around and headed back.
2nd Kendall Lake.
2nd Kendall Lake.
Back to first Kendall marshy lake.
Back to first Kendall marshy lake.
After losing the trail and having to make my way back to the marsh I decided to head over to the knoll to the south which is actually a nice destination in itself with nice views.
Fall leaving 1st Kendall lake.
Fall leaving 1st Kendall lake.
Views from upper road heading back towards clearing.
Views from upper road heading back towards clearing.
Views from upper road heading back towards clearing.
Views from upper road heading back towards clearing.
Back to clearing area.
Back to clearing area.
Road/trail to vista point. Very rocky.
Road/trail to vista point. Very rocky.
Fall on the road/trail to vista point.
Fall on the road/trail to vista point.
The knoll area is a lot more attractive in snow without all the brush/junk.
Views from vista point.
Views from vista point.
Still good views to be had.
Views from vista point.
Views from vista point.
Views from vista point.
Views from vista point.
Rainier from vista point.
Rainier from vista point.
Views from vista point.
Views from vista point.
Views from vista point.
Views from vista point.
Views from vista point.
Views from vista point.
Zoom down towards I-90 from vista point.
Zoom down towards I-90 from vista point.
Time to head back down the road this time.
Fall on trail.
Fall on trail.
Views towards Kendall peaks.
Views towards Kendall peaks.
Road down from clearing to head down.
Road down from clearing to head down.
Heading down road.
Heading down road.
There is a serious slide/washout on this first segment of the road. Could be interesting if it gets worse or when snow covered.
Trail here in serious washout trouble. Winter could be a challenge.
Trail here in serious washout trouble. Winter could be a challenge.
Looking down from the washout spot.
Looking down from the washout spot.
I was soon back at the bend where I started the bushwhack. I just continued down.
Views heading down road.
Views heading down road.
Views heading down road.
Views heading down road.
Views heading down road. Guy peaks.
Views heading down road. Guy peaks.
Views heading down road.
Views heading down road.
Views heading down road.
Views heading down road.
The rest of the road walk was uneventful. I did meet someone that was coming up and we chatted briefly. He seemed to know the area pretty well.
Jet in the air.
Jet in the air.
Views on lower road.
Views on lower road.
Views on lower road.
Views on lower road.
Views on lower road.
Views on lower road.
Back at the trailhead I noticed some shotgun shells behind my car. I collected them for disposal before leaving.
Shotgun shells behind my car (not recently fired). I would at least pick them up to discard.
Shotgun shells behind my car (not recently fired). I would at least pick them up to discard.
All in all a good shot trip (just under 3 1/2 hours car to car). I will have to go back and get to the 3rd lake. I don't recommend the bushwhack route especially if it's wet. With that washout though on the road in winter that may be a dangerous slope to cross and I could imagine heading up more on the bushwhack route which would actually be a short cut without the bushes when snow covered. Overall this area is more scenic I think when snow covered.

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Mark Griffith
(Embrace yourself)



Joined: 14 Mar 2005
Posts: 853 | TRs | Pics
Location: Issaquah
Mark Griffith
(Embrace yourself)
PostThu Oct 07, 2010 9:33 pm 
Ha! Never been up there anytime but in the winter. wink.gif

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
tigermn
Member
Member


Joined: 10 Jul 2007
Posts: 9242 | TRs | Pics
Location: There...
tigermn
Member
PostThu Oct 07, 2010 9:41 pm 
Mark Griffith wrote:
Ha! Never been up there anytime but in the winter. wink.gif
Yea I hadn't either. If you don't mind road walks though not a bad short on time type of excursion especially to that view spot just to the south of the lakes which are more pond like anyway. IMHO more fun in the snow. It also lets you take more direct routes up to the knoll through the trees which without snow are just brush.

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
   All times are GMT - 8 Hours
 Reply to topic
Forum Index > Trip Reports > Kendall Peak Lakes (well 2 of em) 10/06/2010
  Happy Birthday speyguy, Bandanabraids!
Jump to:   
Search this topic:

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