[Sadie's Driver]

The Driver did this hike almost exactly one year ago today . . . Baring It All! What a difference a year makes! Last year - the road was washed out, and this ended up being a 16 mile hike! When we started, it was 27 degrees - today it was a balmy 34. Last year, there was no snow on the ground until about 600' below the summit; this year, we had snow (albeit a trace initially) from the start. Although Barry had done this hike a couple of times before, Barb had never done it, and I assured her that the views were worth the trek. . So, at the non-Alpine start from the trailhead (yes, you can drive all the way to the trailhead now - and we were the only car there) of 10:30 a.m. off we go.

Someone's ready to go!

The rocks are slick with decaying leaves - making things a bit sporting! The clearing skies we had hoped for weren't materializing according to plan. Undaunted we made our way for the first Bear Creek Crossing. Unlike last year, there was no handline for crossing the big ol' log - and the two, narrow logs were slicker than snot - but we all made it across without falling in (Gus was more than happy to take the "wet" route). The Driver did decide to ford the stream au cheval across the big log on the way in because the smaller logs looked way too slippery, but I opted for the slippery crossing on the way back.

Treacherous Bear Creek Crossing

Crossing to safety!

Bear Creek

A little farther up the trail, there is a decent crossing of Bear Creek.

Crossing Bear Creek - with a bridge!

We entered the meadow area, only to find a (very) few sucker holes of blue in the sky and looking up toward what should be the summit of Bare Mtn. was down right dismal!

Where's that sunny, clear day?

Into the cloud of gloom

There was less snow on the top than last year. It also was pretty darned nippy on the summit (24 degrees). We grabbed our lunch, had some hot tea, posed for the summit shot and then headed down.

Dazzling summit views

My camera gave up the ghost somewhere along the way . . . . but Barb and Barry have some pics. Uneventful trip down. Saw three groups of two heading to the summit - seemed a bit late to be going up, especially with how early it gets dark now. We were back to the car a bit before 3:00 p.m. - I didn't miss the 8-mile roundtrip road walk this time! Never did see the sun - note to self: leave the sunglasses in the car if you want sun! Nice trip, none-the-less.

[TrailPair]

It was a "TrailPair summit" kind of day!

[Snowdog]

stay tuned- I have a similar trip report from a Hwy 2 destination. We thought we were headed out for a beautiful day in the mountains, but we were snowed on (heavily) much of the day.

[Middle E]

We kept thinking that the clouds would break up and show a little sun, but that didn't happen. Well, it was still a great day, and we didn't get overheated or sunburned!

The stand up method

The 'au cheval' method

Bear Cr.

Nearing the summit

Somebody took off their clothes. Brrrrr

[BarbE]

Looks like we weren't the only ones who got tricked by the weatherman. I hear there are fine views to be had on Bare Mountain. Not this time. Very few pics-too cold to linger or take my hands out of the mittens.

chevaling it, seemed like a good idea

getting a bit chilly on the icy slick log

somewhat easier crossing

walking into the snowstorm

close-up

rock slabs

Bare Mtn Nov 11

a speck of light

[the Zachster]

Looks like everyone got snookered by the weatherman yesterday! And I love the new mantra for hiking in the NW: "it was still a great day... we didn't get overheated or sunburned!"

[LadyÆsa]

Looks like you guys had a great time!!

[John Morrow]

Hi folks, way to rally while many of us were watching football and eating donuts! OK, at least I was a fairweather hiker this weekend and opted to do next to nothing. Quick question: what is the road like to the TH for a Honda Civic? Warm air will probably keep it snow free a bit longer, I am hoping. thanks, John

[Middle E]

[John Morrow]

Wow, that is some service Middle E. Potholes comparable to Upper Cle Elum River/Fish lake road? Thanks for the info--about as fast as Google! John

[touron]

A worthy poll--how many are brave enough to walk across this log?

[joker]

Haven't been there for a few years, so I can't say for sure how it would go now, but we always did that log (pair of logs) and our more nimble dog followed, while the other bigger guy waded. Too bad you missed the views up there, but it's still a pretty hike. And always nice not to be able to see your feet when you cross the meadow where the trail is still alongside the stream (quite the jungle in July!).

[dicey]

I don't remember the twin logs - maybe they were under water in June? I do remember fording that creek in my boots! http://www.yellowleaf.org/scramble/g/r/2012-06-10-canoe.html

[joker]

my admittedly spotty and quite possibly faulty memory has there being a pair of small-ish logs like that right around that spot for multiple seasons in a row. Could be wrong; what I'm certain of is that our big dog Max did was not always up for using whatever log crossing the rest of us used there. Or perhaps that pair gets washed a bit downstream and someone hauls it back up each season...