Forum Index > Trip Reports > Florence pk.(in MRNP), not Italy......
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Snowdog
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Location: on (& off) the beaten path
Snowdog
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PostSat Feb 18, 2012 5:17 pm 
This little group of fair weather only hikers decided to swing south into 'Da Park' since our canine companion was resting from too much fun...... shakehead.gif We united at various P&R's and private residences, and piled into one very full minivan, thus having one less car on the road, and conserving petrol. up.gif Off we went to the Carbon River Entrance, and lo & behold, there was a ranger there with the happy news that he didn't think we'd require snowshoes! Imagine my disappointment! hockeygrin.gif We began ascending the trail to Alki point, which had some super slippery spots at the start.(try saying that fast 3 times) wink.gif We plugged along and gained the ridge in a couple of hours- sun was out, but we were still in the trees. We were unhappy about that. waah.gif On we continued...... Both Barb and I were like horses pointed to the barn in our zeal to reach sunny snow covered slopes.
going to the sun!
going to the sun!
Finally, not too far from the top, we broke out- and there before our eyes was mighty Rainier smile.gif , and every other little peak poking it's head above the cloud deck that was hovering about 5000'. That is why we all trudge tirelessly up hill, to get to look down on the clouds!!! cool.gif
ST. Helen's in the distance
ST. Helen's in the distance
Rainier looking mighty purdy
Rainier looking mighty purdy
We basked, we ate, we gawked at big R- we enjoyed ourselves,
Hooray!
Hooray!
but all too soon, it was time to descend.....
descending
descending
photo anyone?
photo anyone?
We had considered a loop over to Howard, but time didn't allow this option. And a little bump named Sweet, didn't look too sweet to us(tree covered summit)- so we skipped it too. Back into the trees we went- reluctantly...... To top off our day, we paid a visit to the Wilkeson Saloon- which had good beer at very good $$. agree.gif Here is a map of our wanderings:
02-15-2012-FLORENCE-PEAK
02-15-2012-FLORENCE-PEAK

'we don't have time for a shortcut'
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silence
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silence
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PostSat Feb 18, 2012 6:22 pm 
way to carve out a bit of paradise on the other side of the mountain .. i was watching the webcam and it was socked in .. this can't be today? .. florence peak .. never heard of it till now ..

PHOTOS FILMS Keep a good head and always carry a light bulb. – Bob Dylan
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the Zachster
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the Zachster
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PostSat Feb 18, 2012 11:10 pm 
WOW! That was today?! Nice! I've worked on that trail many times but never ventured very high. Those views look well worth it! PS I must say I was surprised to see you do a TR on MRNP...! hockeygrin.gif

"May I always be the kind of person my dog thinks I am"
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HundsSolo
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Joined: 06 Jun 2009
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Location: Olympia, Wa
HundsSolo
Baby Step Hiking :o)
PostSat Feb 18, 2012 11:30 pm 
I too never heard of this trail. What's the mileage on the trail? 6-8 mile RT?

The Mountains are Calling - I must go and PLAY! If you don't Respect Mother Nature, Mother Nature won't respect you. Wag More and Bark Less smile.gif
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Magellan
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Joined: 26 Jul 2006
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Location: Inexorable descent
Magellan
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PostSat Feb 18, 2012 11:49 pm 
Very nice. up.gif
the Zachster wrote:
That was today?!
Dated 2-15...

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TokyoTessie
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Joined: 28 Jan 2005
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Location: Back in the shadow of Tahoma again!
TokyoTessie
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PostSun Feb 19, 2012 9:35 am 
I've worked on the bottom part of that trail several times, also. Sounds like I will have to go back on a non-working day and venture up it.

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HundsSolo
Baby Step Hiking :o)



Joined: 06 Jun 2009
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Location: Olympia, Wa
HundsSolo
Baby Step Hiking :o)
PostSun Feb 19, 2012 9:41 am 
Yep I added it to my list too

The Mountains are Calling - I must go and PLAY! If you don't Respect Mother Nature, Mother Nature won't respect you. Wag More and Bark Less smile.gif
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BarbE
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BarbE
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PostSun Feb 19, 2012 10:08 am 
HundsSolo wrote:
I too never heard of this trail. What's the mileage on the trail? 6-8 mile RT?
According to Rod's GPS/topo: 9.2 miles roundtrip and 3920 feet elevation gain. 3.5 hours up-2 down. A few pictures before my camera lens got dusted with snow-hence the ghost forest pic. frown.gif Great trip, in spite of being mostly in forest.
starting in the Rainforest
starting in the Rainforest
tree shelfs
tree shelfs
beautiful forest
beautiful forest
finally out of the woods
finally out of the woods
steep last climb
steep last climb
Ragman reaches Florence
Ragman reaches Florence
everybody on top
everybody on top
small summit block
small summit block
Florence Feb 19
Florence Feb 19
lowlands w/ Mount St. Helens peaking out
lowlands w/ Mount St. Helens peaking out
leaving Florence summit
leaving Florence summit
ghost forest
ghost forest

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Hikingqueen
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Hikingqueen
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PostSun Feb 19, 2012 12:10 pm 
Beautiful! up.gif

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TokyoTessie
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Location: Back in the shadow of Tahoma again!
TokyoTessie
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PostSun Feb 19, 2012 7:37 pm 
BarbE wrote:
starting in the Rainforest
starting in the Rainforest
I don't know if you recall a rock step just above where you took this picture. Here is a picture of us putting it in last spring:
And, working on the trail a little further up:
It should look like a freeway for the first 1/2 mile or so!

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BarbE
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BarbE
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PostSun Feb 19, 2012 9:00 pm 
We probably blew by there too fast to notice that paricular rock, but we did notice how nice that lower trail was. Next time I'll be sure to check out your handy work, knowing from experience how much effort sometimes goes into building one single step. Thanks for your hard work! up.gif

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ragman and rodman
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Location: http://rgervin.com/
ragman and rodman
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PostMon Feb 20, 2012 4:20 pm 
My photos from this trip... way too much time in the forest... but the final reward was well worth it. GPS route and photos of our trip to Florence Peak.

"Teanaway 70" Peaks List... a guide to hiking and scrambling in the Teanaway Area. ----------------
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HundsSolo
Baby Step Hiking :o)



Joined: 06 Jun 2009
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Location: Olympia, Wa
HundsSolo
Baby Step Hiking :o)
PostMon Feb 20, 2012 4:28 pm 
Was the snow hard packed or just a few inches on the ground?

The Mountains are Calling - I must go and PLAY! If you don't Respect Mother Nature, Mother Nature won't respect you. Wag More and Bark Less smile.gif
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ragman and rodman
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ragman and rodman
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PostWed Feb 22, 2012 12:25 am 
There wasn't much snow... and what there was got packed down quickly. We used our micro-spikes on the way down. Obviously by now there will be lots and lots of new snow on this trail.

"Teanaway 70" Peaks List... a guide to hiking and scrambling in the Teanaway Area. ----------------
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tigermn
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tigermn
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PostWed Feb 22, 2012 8:17 am 
Yea the trail itself is pretty much all in the forest. I've hiked it all the way to the high point. No views there either. Looks like you have to go cross country to get the views. lol.gif

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