Forum Index > Trip Reports > Chiwaukum, Larch, Donald, Eileen, Julius Lakes 9/30 to 10/2
 Reply to topic
Previous :: Next Topic
Author Message
Highwalker's Daughter
Member
Member


Joined: 12 Aug 2006
Posts: 1575 | TRs | Pics
Location: Bothell, WA
Highwalker's Daughter
Member
PostSun Oct 02, 2011 2:06 pm 
Glen and I have birthdays five days apart so we decided to spend them at Larch Weekend I at Scottish Lakes High Camp! It was all I could have imagined and more! We left early Friday - yes, truly early in most people's books - up at 5:30 and departed before 7! We took our time and arrived at the parking lot around 8:40. We then met another couple heading up on the 9 a.m. It turned out that not only do they live about 10 minutes away, but the husband is Skykomish 45, a fellow NW Hiker! We instantly liked both of them and instead of a lonesome solo 10 mile trip over to Larch Lake and back, I had wonderful company!
High Camp
High Camp
Glacier Peak in the distance
Glacier Peak in the distance
from McCue Ridge
from McCue Ridge
Chiwaukum Lake
Chiwaukum Lake
Ewing Basin - between Chiwaukum and Larch Lakes
Ewing Basin - between Chiwaukum and Larch Lakes
below Larch Lake - Skye watching her sheep
below Larch Lake - Skye watching her sheep
approaching Larch Lake
approaching Larch Lake
first view of Larch Lake
first view of Larch Lake
The trail goes up to McCue Ridge - great views of Chiwaukum Mountains; then contours down the back of the ridge to Chiwaukum Lake. We ate lunch there and were almost finished when the huge downpour hit! We figured we'd be soaked the rest of the day, but the sun came back. Although it looked threatening now and again, we did not get wet again. We continued on the two miles or so through the spectacular Ewing Basin and up to the breathtaking Larch Lake. The larch are just beginning to turn, there was great fall color; yet there were also still lupine and other summer flowers in full bloom. It was a fairly gentle 10 miles when you start at high camp. I don't mind cheating now and then. wink.gif We came back to the bonfire in full swing and sat out by the fire and enjoyed the stars.
approaching Larch Lake
approaching Larch Lake
first view of Larch Lake
first view of Larch Lake
meadows at Larch Lake
meadows at Larch Lake
Larch Lake
Larch Lake
Larch Lake
Larch Lake
Elephant's Head (right?)
Elephant's Head (right?)
Larch Lake
Larch Lake
Ewing Basin - below Larch Lake
Ewing Basin - below Larch Lake
McCue Ridge trail - late afternoon - with Skykomish 45 and wife
McCue Ridge trail - late afternoon - with Skykomish 45 and wife
bonfire and stars
bonfire and stars
Next day I was up early as once I make that journey to the outhouse, I'm wide awake. We met some other people for the group hike - on trail; then lots of off trail. This was led by the hosts. It was an amazing 9-10 mile adventure - words can't describe the colors and the joy of sharing it with like-minded outdoorsy types. up.gif
just before we leave trail
just before we leave trail
off trail
off trail
Loch Eileen in the distance
Loch Eileen in the distance
off trail route arriving at larch areas
off trail route arriving at larch areas
Lake Donald below - over notch in far background is Ethel
Lake Donald below - over notch in far background is Ethel
sketchy area
sketchy area
lunch - scramble route came across the knob in background
lunch - scramble route came across the knob in background
hanging gardens
hanging gardens
hanging gardens
hanging gardens
Loch Julies and Lake Donald
Loch Julies and Lake Donald
hanging gardens
hanging gardens
hanging gardens
hanging gardens
hanging gardens area
hanging gardens area
high meadow
high meadow
Don and Zeke, the guides
Don and Zeke, the guides
high meadow
high meadow
high meadow
high meadow
Loch Eileen
Loch Eileen
Lake Donald
Lake Donald
Lake Donald - the ridge in the background was the scramble route to the high meadow
Lake Donald - the ridge in the background was the scramble route to the high meadow
looking down on Loch Eileen
looking down on Loch Eileen
approaching Loch Eileen - end of the scramble portion
approaching Loch Eileen - end of the scramble portion
Loch Eileen
Loch Eileen
Zeke approaching Loch Eileen
Zeke approaching Loch Eileen
Loch Julius
Loch Julius
potluck
potluck
potluck main dishes
potluck main dishes
lots of birthday people up here - Skykomish 45's wife, me, Glen, and one other :D
lots of birthday people up here - Skykomish 45's wife, me, Glen, and one other biggrin.gif
I plan on being up there again for my birthday and probably a bunch of others times as well as I still have to sample the hot tub, sauna, and showers! I couldn't have asked for a better birthday weekend. I've had some great ones. This one is definitely in the top of those weekends and those include weekends in lookouts and near Mt. Baker so to make the list, it had to be pretty darn awesome. smile.gif

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


Joined: 17 Apr 2005
Posts: 1699 | TRs | Pics
TrailPair
Member
PostSun Oct 02, 2011 4:38 pm 
Nice to see some Autumn colors! We spent Christmas at High Camp a couple of years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it.

This thing called work is interfering with my play
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
half fast
member



Joined: 21 Mar 2010
Posts: 1392 | TRs | Pics
Location: Living the dream in my 5th Wheel
half fast
member
PostSun Oct 02, 2011 4:54 pm 
Nice TR and photos Highwalkers Daughter... very pretty area !! What an awesome way to spend your birthday... up.gif up.gif Thanks for sharing... biggrin.gif

It's all about the fun, oh and maybe the chocolate - half fast
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Snowdog
Member
Member


Joined: 21 Jul 2006
Posts: 1026 | TRs | Pics
Location: on (& off) the beaten path
Snowdog
Member
PostSun Oct 02, 2011 5:45 pm 
it must have been grand, 'cause you have no shortage of good weekends! up.gif Pictures are stupendous- agree.gif

'we don't have time for a shortcut'
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
BobW
Member
Member


Joined: 04 Jul 2009
Posts: 32 | TRs | Pics
Location: Seattle
BobW
Member
PostSun Oct 02, 2011 6:14 pm 
Thanks for the report. My wife and I are heading up there next weekend, and were wondering what the conditions were. Your report and pictures have me excited for the trip. Happy Birthday

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Hiker Mama
Member
Member


Joined: 25 Jun 2006
Posts: 3447 | TRs | Pics
Location: Lynnwood
Hiker Mama
Member
PostSun Oct 02, 2011 6:16 pm 
Great photos! I can fell how happy you are through your words. Happy Birthday!

My hiking w/ kids site: www.thehikermama.com
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
furthur
Berry Bagger



Joined: 21 Sep 2006
Posts: 341 | TRs | Pics
Location: onward and upward
furthur
Berry Bagger
PostSun Oct 02, 2011 6:20 pm 
Bonus birthday joy to be able share it with Glen. I'm sure he'll be pumped to head up to Persis with us (tell him there are 20#ers in waiting for him in the tarns).

"You're either on the bus or off the bus." Kesey
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Highwalker's Daughter
Member
Member


Joined: 12 Aug 2006
Posts: 1575 | TRs | Pics
Location: Bothell, WA
Highwalker's Daughter
Member
PostSun Oct 02, 2011 6:35 pm 
@BobW - looks like you'll have good weather - at least so far the forecast is good plus the larch will have turned a bit more. Are you doing the Dash for the Diner? I think that's on next weekend anyway. You're in for a real treat! We loved the people we met; the area was spectacular.

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 > Chiwaukum, Larch, Donald, Eileen, Julius Lakes 9/30 to 10/2
  Happy Birthday kiliki, mtnmschist, adamcwatts!
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