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Snowdog Member
Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 1028 | TRs | Pics Location: on (& off) the beaten path |
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Snowdog
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Sat Feb 18, 2012 5:17 pm
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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......
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.
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!
We began ascending the trail to Alki point, which had some super slippery spots at the start.(try saying that fast 3 times)
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. 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!
Finally, not too far from the top, we broke out- and there before our eyes was mighty Rainier , 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!!!
ST. Helen's in the distance Rainier looking mighty purdy
We basked, we ate, we gawked at big R- we enjoyed ourselves,
Hooray!
but all too soon, it was time to descend.....
descending 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 $$.
Here is a map of our wanderings:
02-15-2012-FLORENCE-PEAK
'we don't have time for a shortcut'
'we don't have time for a shortcut'
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silence Member
Joined: 25 Apr 2005 Posts: 4420 | TRs | Pics
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silence
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Sat Feb 18, 2012 6:22 pm
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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
PHOTOS
FILMS
Keep a good head and always carry a light bulb. – Bob Dylan
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the Zachster Member
Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 4776 | TRs | Pics Location: dog training |
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...!
"May I always be the kind of person my dog thinks I am"
"May I always be the kind of person my dog thinks I am"
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HundsSolo Baby Step Hiking :o)
Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 1435 | TRs | Pics Location: Olympia, Wa |
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HundsSolo
Baby Step Hiking :o)
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Sat Feb 18, 2012 11:30 pm
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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
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
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Magellan Brutally Handsome
Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 13116 | TRs | Pics Location: Inexorable descent |
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Magellan
Brutally Handsome
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Sat Feb 18, 2012 11:49 pm
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Very nice.
the Zachster wrote: | That was today?! |
Dated 2-15...
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TokyoTessie Member
Joined: 28 Jan 2005 Posts: 480 | TRs | Pics Location: Back in the shadow of Tahoma again! |
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 Posts: 1435 | TRs | Pics Location: Olympia, Wa |
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HundsSolo
Baby Step Hiking :o)
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Sun Feb 19, 2012 9:41 am
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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
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
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BarbE Member
Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Posts: 1153 | TRs | Pics
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BarbE
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Sun Feb 19, 2012 10:08 am
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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.
Great trip, in spite of being mostly in forest.
starting in the Rainforest tree shelfs beautiful forest finally out of the woods steep last climb Ragman reaches Florence everybody on top small summit block Florence Feb 19 lowlands w/ Mount St. Helens peaking out leaving Florence summit ghost forest
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Hikingqueen Member
Joined: 12 Nov 2007 Posts: 2946 | TRs | Pics
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Beautiful!
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TokyoTessie Member
Joined: 28 Jan 2005 Posts: 480 | TRs | Pics Location: Back in the shadow of Tahoma again! |
BarbE wrote: | 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 Member
Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Posts: 1153 | TRs | Pics
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BarbE
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Sun Feb 19, 2012 9:00 pm
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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!
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ragman and rodman Member
Joined: 28 Apr 2005 Posts: 1219 | TRs | Pics Location: http://rgervin.com/ |
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HundsSolo Baby Step Hiking :o)
Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 1435 | TRs | Pics Location: Olympia, Wa |
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HundsSolo
Baby Step Hiking :o)
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Mon Feb 20, 2012 4:28 pm
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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
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
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ragman and rodman Member
Joined: 28 Apr 2005 Posts: 1219 | TRs | Pics Location: http://rgervin.com/ |
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.
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tigermn Member
Joined: 10 Jul 2007 Posts: 9242 | TRs | Pics Location: There... |
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tigermn
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Wed Feb 22, 2012 8:17 am
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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.
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