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Matt Tea, Earl Grey, Hot
Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 4307 | TRs | Pics Location: Shoreline |
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Matt
Tea, Earl Grey, Hot
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Sun Apr 29, 2012 12:12 am
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Date: April 28, 2012
Destination: Icicle Ridge7029 (USGS Cashmere)
Party: Matt, yana, Steph Abegg, cartman, Schmidt Altibabe, Sadie’s Driver, Middle E, BarbE (and Gus the dog)
We followed the 4th of July Trail up to the summit of Icicle Ridge, departing from the trail in its upper reaches to proceed more directly up snow to the summit.
Icicle Ridge GPS Track
Driving from Seattle to Leavenworth was also a drive from cloudy damp cool springtime to dry warm sunny summertime. Getting out of the car at the trailhead, we stepped into warm shirt-sleeve weather. Quite a contrast from any of the other trips we’ve done this spring.
Another group was departing just as we arrived. Some of them went all the way to the top in tennis shoes, and were once again departing when we arrived.
The trail was dry to about 4600 feet. Going up, the view was dominated by Cashmere Mountain on the opposite side of the Icicle Creek valley. Higher up, we also had views of peaks further up the valley, and a surprisingly good view of the Enchantments Peaks.
Circa 4800, we started going directly uphill in snow, but had to thread through a few rock outcrops. Above about 5400, we came to more open and moderate terrain and proceeded up through amid the silvery trunks of the fire-killed trees. We used snowshoes, but probably could have gotten by without them.
Cashmere Dragontail, Colchuck & Argonaut come into view Gnarly silver tree trunk More silver trees Hiking up onto the higher slopes Summit rocks up above us
At the summit rocks, we took off the snowshoes and went up the righthand side. Actually, we would have been wiser to swing out even further to the right where we could have stayed on easier terrain and avoided scrambling through some boulder piles.
But the only real challenge was stepping up onto the summit platform itself, which was about 4 feet above the surrounding rocks. The easiest way was to reach up and grab an old iron anchor post from the former lookout, and step up on another iron piece that projected out of the rock halfway up. It worked, but it made a rather awkward sort of half-pull, half-mantle up onto flat summit area. Almost as much effort was invested in arranging the people on top to take photos of the next people arriving. Steph took a very thorough series of each person successively arriving.
Steph & Yana at the summit Summit arrival photography Barb pulling herself up Barry & Suzanne arriving Tisha arriving Everyone on top
I was distracted by the summit arrival antics, and mostly forgot to take decent photos of the surrounding peaks.
Grindstone, Frigid, Big Lou & Big Jim Summit tea with the Stuart Range and Cashmere
The descent went easily on the snow, with only occasional post-holing. Across the valley, clouds built up to make a dramatic frame behind the peaks, but all the summits stayed clear, and Stuart finally showed its crown. Lower down, we skipped the rib we had ascended in favor of descending the wide snowy gully alongside it. I got in about 600 feet of glissading.
Cashmere backed by clouds Descending with Stuart wearing a high crown of cloud
Down near the road, glacier lilies and trilliums were blooming in the woods.
Does anyone know why some of the glacier lilies had red stamens instead of the usual yellow?
Glacier lily with yellow stamens Glacier lily with red stamens Trillium
The warm weather and clear skies made the drive worthwhile. This was a fun trip with quite a variety of people to enjoy it. There was lots of photography, so hopefully others will add their photos.
Round trip stats: 8 miles, 4800 gain, 7:30 hours
“As beacons mountains burned at evening.” J.R.R. Tolkien
“As beacons mountains burned at evening.” J.R.R. Tolkien
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StephAbegg Member
Joined: 12 Jan 2010 Posts: 172 | TRs | Pics Location: Bellingham, WA |
Thanks Matt for organizing this trip. The sunny east side was a good choice for a day forecasted to be cloudy and maybe even rainy on the west side.
I've also posted a trip report on my website: http://www.stephabegg.com/home/tripreports/washington/northcascades/icicleridge
Everyone had their own summiting form...
Yana, "Grip and crimp" Matt, "Mantle R, pull L" Eric, "Slab purist" Barb, "Knee works well" Barry, "Hauling over" Suzanne, "Pull R, mantle L" Tisha, "Hang on!" Billy, "Swing it" Gus, "They left me just below so I wouldn't show them all up" Steph, "Get up first to take more photos"
A few other photos...
wood worm art group photo on 7029 ft high point crux summit move Dragontail, Colchuck, Argonaut, Sherpa, Stuart to the S to SW. Cashmere Mountain dominates the view to the W
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Yana Hater
Joined: 04 Jun 2004 Posts: 4212 | TRs | Pics Location: Out Hating |
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Yana
Hater
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Sun Apr 29, 2012 8:33 am
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Thanks for the trip reports and great photos, Matt and Steph.
It was very nice to experience summer-like conditions for once. I carried a bunch of unnecessary stuff to the top but oh well. This was my first hike in over a month so I'll just call it training weight.
PLAY SAFE! SKI ONLY IN CLOCKWISE DIRECTION! LET'S ALL HAVE FUN TOGETHER!
PLAY SAFE! SKI ONLY IN CLOCKWISE DIRECTION! LET'S ALL HAVE FUN TOGETHER!
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RichP Member
Joined: 13 Jul 2006 Posts: 5634 | TRs | Pics Location: here |
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RichP
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Sun Apr 29, 2012 10:00 am
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I had to kick steps in deep snow to reach that iron bolt last May 1st; looks like the snowpack is on its way out quicker than last year.
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BarbE Member
Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Posts: 1153 | TRs | Pics
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BarbE
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Sun Apr 29, 2012 11:07 am
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An interesting and fun route, quite a change from the summer trail's easy switch backs and flower filled meadows.
Perfect temps and excellent company.
scramble first break up Enchantment backround Yana shows... how ... easy... this... ..is another sitz method Matt leaves summit block leaving the summit post holing through the silver forest
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Sadie's Driver Sadie's Driver
Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 1763 | TRs | Pics Location: Welcome Pass |
RichP wrote: | I had to kick steps in deep snow to reach that iron bolt last May 1st; looks like the snowpack is on its way out quicker than last year. |
And none-too-soon, Rich! It was a GLORIOUS day out the Icicle.
Our four were the last to leave for the summit.
Third wave heading up . . .
Before long, we caught up to the rest of our group (Matt, Yana, Steph and Eric).
Crew is stil on dirt - this was a half dirt/half snow day
And began the trek UP! (Matt, you should have called this trip report "The Infirmary Climb!" Matt, Eric and the Driver spent most of the ascent hacking and coughing our way up! Ahhh, Spring colds - what fun.) But, who could argue with the wonderful warm weather and great company? Only a little nippy on the summit with the wind.
A little scramble route for us Barb and Steph heading up Steep little ridge . . . . Up we go Gusto and Barry heading up to the top of the ridge Our destination ahead
Love everyone's documentation of the oh-so-graceful "butt swing" to the top of the summit - thanks Steph for NOT showing my final move! Once on the summit, the views were spectacular.
Tish on the summit Barb, Steph and Eric on the summit Steph, what are you doing? Now what is Steph doing??? Glacier from the summit Barb and the Driver on the summit
Too soon, it was time to leave.
Barry dropping down off of the summit Barb lowering from the summit Tish doing it HER way off of the summit Tish and Barb coming down off the summit block Barbara practicing the "sitz" descent Poser
Down below the summit, Yana took a break . . .
Yana Enchantingly sunning herself Eric heading down from the top of the ridge Silver trees, blue sky and snow . . .
A little soupy coming down in the afternoon snow - but the glissades helped. Beautiful trip.
Umm, Matt, about this:
Matt wrote: | (and Gus the dog) |
Gus has a problem with that . . . he's more than "just" a dog!!! (but he does appreciate your sandwich.)
Four-paw buddy lets me tag along!
Four-paw buddy lets me tag along!
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Matt Tea, Earl Grey, Hot
Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 4307 | TRs | Pics Location: Shoreline |
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Matt
Tea, Earl Grey, Hot
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Sun Apr 29, 2012 11:59 am
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Sadie's Driver wrote: | Umm, Matt, about this:
Matt wrote: | (and Gus the dog) |
Gus has a problem with that . . . he's more than "just" a dog!!! (but he does appreciate your sandwich.) |
Why would you think that being identified as "the dog" is a lower staus? Maybe being the dog is a noteworthy rank, and all the rest are just a bunch of people.
“As beacons mountains burned at evening.” J.R.R. Tolkien
“As beacons mountains burned at evening.” J.R.R. Tolkien
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Middle E no more moustache
Joined: 10 Feb 2008 Posts: 432 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle, WA |
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Middle E
no more moustache
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Sun Apr 29, 2012 12:21 pm
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I came up here last October for the first time, but the summit block was entirely covered in rime ice so I didn't try to clamber up. At least now I've been on the very summit!
View of Cashmere Climbing up Mt. Cashmere from Icicle Ridge Enchantments from Icicle Ridge North to Big Jim from Icicle Ridge Mt. Cashmere Barb and Suzanne on the descent
pithy yet insightful signature
pithy yet insightful signature
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Hiker Mama Member
Joined: 25 Jun 2006 Posts: 3451 | TRs | Pics Location: Lynnwood |
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cartman Member
Joined: 20 Feb 2007 Posts: 2800 | TRs | Pics Location: Fremont |
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cartman
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Mon Apr 30, 2012 7:44 am
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A great trip with a fine group, definitely picked the right place for sun. Running into Oyvind, Tobae and Khanh at the TH just shows that great minds think alike.
Despite its readily accessible location, several of us had never done Icicle; it had a fun little finish to the top. Great views of Cashmere and the 'chants.
Cashmere Scrambling the ridge Icicle Cashmere closeup Stuart Enchantments Big Lou, Big Jim
Billy was being a little stubborn for posing...
Steph and Billy Gotcha
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JimK Member
Joined: 07 Feb 2002 Posts: 5606 | TRs | Pics Location: Ballard |
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JimK
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Mon Apr 30, 2012 10:54 am
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Looks like a fun time was had by all. Matt, we noticed the same red color on the few glacier lilies seen around the corner from you on the Icicle Ridge Trail.
Glacier Lily
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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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Mon Apr 30, 2012 6:30 pm
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Wonder how much longer before it becomes a posthole fest up there before it thaws out? Did that trail once in the summer. Never tried it with snow. Looks interesting though.
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the Zachster Member
Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 4776 | TRs | Pics Location: dog training |
Great report and photos everyone! I especially liked Steph's summit style shots! I'm hoping the snow will stick around a little while longer so I can get up there. It's a little too hot for the dog when the snow is gone.
"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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Matt Tea, Earl Grey, Hot
Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 4307 | TRs | Pics Location: Shoreline |
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Matt
Tea, Earl Grey, Hot
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Mon Apr 30, 2012 11:36 pm
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Thanks to everyone for all the photos, especially Steph’s photos of each person arriving and BarbE’s sequence of Yana descending off the edge.
While we were on the Icicle Ridge summit, I found myself wondering how the lookout had managed to fit there. The top was basically a big squared-off rock with vertical edges on all sides. The anchors were right at the edges, so it seemed there would be no space to step out of the lookout anywhere. I also wondered about two anchor posts that stood on a disconnected rock about 10 feet lower down. What did they have to do with the lookout, and how would one even connect from one spot to the other?
cartman's photo showing almost the entire squared off top of the rock Anchors on a rock below the lookout
The photo below from www.firelookout.com (earlier located by Steph) explains it. The lookout filled the entire summit platform and even projected out over the edges a bit. The lower anchors where the bottom end of a staircase for climbing up to it.
Established with a camp in 1914, this D-6 cupola cabin, built in 1929, was being staffed at the time of this 1963 photo, but was destroyed only 3 years later!
“As beacons mountains burned at evening.” J.R.R. Tolkien
“As beacons mountains burned at evening.” J.R.R. Tolkien
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terpene Member
Joined: 07 Feb 2010 Posts: 5 | TRs | Pics
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terpene
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Tue May 01, 2012 7:08 am
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The red anthers on the glacier lilies is not that unusual. The anthers can be white, red, yellow, or purple, but they're all the same species. This could change with future DNA studies.
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