[Snowdog]

"To start at the very beginning, it's a very good place to start...la,la,la," Headed east on Friday with good bud Shona to enjoy a hike up Dirtyface on our way to Leavenworth, then a nice repast on Gustav's deck with more friends to watch the sun set over Tumwater canyon, up at the crack of dawn for assault on *Frigid Mtn. (which was anything but) *See Midde E's report for that endeavor. After descending Frigid, we broke camp, I caught a ride w/ Middle E back to Seattle. Grabbed a shower, some Thai food, and some sleep. Then, with a fresh partner, we mulled over what to do on this recordbreaking THIRD day of sun, in a row!! Didn't want to head back east & deal with Sunday traffic, or do anything too 'local', 'cause we had all day & lots of daylight. What about the Olympics?? I rarely get over there..... thumbed thru a book, and picked Mt. Townsend. I'd heard how beautiful this was this time of year- flowers galore, etc. Jumped in the car at 9:08, THEN bothered to consult ferry schedule, uhoh- next one was at 9:40! Rolled onto Ferry at 9:39, and it pushed back promptly at 9:40. Auspicious start to the day! The Olympics always feel so far away, but they really aren't. The drive to Quilcene is only about 20 miles. Then the FS road up to the Trailhead is paved!!('bout 14 miles) Someone explain that to me, not that I'm complaining. I did pop into the Ranger station to inquire about current trail conditions. The rangers were full of doom & gloom, assuring me that NO ONE was getting far because there was SO much snow. Why, you couldn't even get to the trailhead yet! They encouraged us to do a low, forest hike instead. Not. The trailhead(s) are a bit confusing, and we had old maps with old FS #'s, which didn't help. Go to the 'upper TH(el. 2900'), and you will soon be able to drive the last mile. We had to walk it yesterday. We all love those road walks, now don't we? Only two other cars on this gorgeous day... After the previous two days, Isabel didn't have quite the boundless energy she normally exhibits at the start of the day. Took us about 30 minutes to get to the official TH. From there it was dirty snow & a tiny bit tricky to follow in spots for the first coupla miles. The stream crossings were not terrible, though one snow bridge won't last long. Just before entering the basin(4600'), I heard a skier below me in the trees- he called out a hello & I replied. He asked if we were on the trail, I said "yeah, I think so." We introduced ourselves, he was going to write a TR on TAY for his trip. Once in the basin, we headed up. Since I'd not been here when it was snowfree, we just figured up was good. Boy it was pretty; not in the flowery June sort of way the book had promised, but in the wintery, but sunny way it actually was.

Rob coming on up

We got to Windy camp at 5500' and lo & behold, there was the summer trail again! The ridge is mostly melted out. From there it was a breathtaking ridge walk to the summit. Yeehaw!

views from the Olys are different than Cascades!

nearing the summit

looking north along the ridge

We basked...Then the real fun began! We took off straight down, not bothering to retrace our ridgewalk. One glissade after another brought us down lickitysplit. Nailed the reentrance to the woods, and hoofed it happily back to the car. 'Bout 5 hours RT.

my by now familiar summit pose

magnificent!

Rob on top

Big R off in distance

very 'volcanic' summit rock

lovely ridge walk

looking back up

Getting back was a little bit less- seamless.... there had been a Medieval Fair in Port Gamble, and that jugged up the Ferry more than usual on a Sunday. We passed the time chatting up the locals in a watering hole near the ferry dock. Got home about 9pm, a simply great 12 hours.

[half fast]

Thanks for the TR and wonderful photos... Looks like a fun day playing in the Olys to me... Ancient Ambler and I had talked of doing this on Saturday but we both had to bail and ended up on Deer Ridge Sunday... I appreciate the conditions update !! Thanks for sharing...

[BarbE]

[Schmidt Alti-Babe]

BarbE, you stole the words right out of my mouth. I'll add another I Mount Townsend. I especially love going from the Dungeness side. In truth, I've never approached Mount Townsend from the usual Quilcene trail. Snowdog, three very nice trips! Way to take advantage of the sun while it lasts.

[Middle E]

[Highwalker's Daughter]

Great way to enjoy the weather we had.

[Trail Angel]

Hmmm, you have me rethinking work tomorrow...

[Criminal]

That's a beautiful hike that I've done twice, but never with snow. Now I want to but I don't think I'll be able to get back up there before it melts!

[kite]

Nice!

[tigermn]

Yea this is a nice flower hike at the right time. Looks like it may be a few weeks or so before that peak.

[Sky Hiker]

Whoops was thinking the other Mt Townsend!!