[Bryan K]

Adam messaged me last week and asked what my plans were for this past Monday-Tuesday. I said that I was gonna stay home and be depressed... He then told me that he and Natasha were going to head up to Snowgrass and Grindstone, so much for sitting around in my funk, I've been wanting Snowgrass for a very long time!!!!!!

Snowgrass Mt Route

We bivied at the TH Sunday night and were on the trail by 6am

Chatter Creek

"Here, try this. It tastes bad to me."

Heading up Chatter Creek wasn't too bad, but the first views of Grindstone were awesome!!

Early views of Grindstone

About 300' below the first pass we refilled on water where I got to use my Sawyer for the first time.

Wide waterfall

The views from the pass didn't disappoint

Standing at the pass

Looking into the next basin

We followed the trail through the Index Creek Basin

Such a beautiful area

Grindstone

Soon we found ourselves at the very pretty Lake Edna!

Lake Edna

We dropped our overnight gear, ate a snack in the strong breeze and before long we were back on the trail with Snowgrass on our minds. We headed down to Ladies Pass and then from there we started the traverse to our destination.

Heading to Ladies Pass

The route looked pretty good and we saw our goal in the distance (or so we thought... more later) The distance between myself and Adam and Natasha grew the more we hiked on. Natasha decided to stop and I waited while Adam caught up wth me. We pushed on under the constant barage of sunrays with rocks and snow ahead of us.

We went all the way to the 3rd hump on the right

Being peakbaggers...we headed towards what "looked" like the highest point...usually this works out just fine..... So we went up, and up, and up

No easy way up

Snowgrass Mt NE summit

At the top we looked to the west and realized...crap...we're not on the highest point. Now mind you, as we ascended we both thought of how we hadn't seen much scrambling to the top in other TR's for Snowgrass, gee, I wonder why?!?!?!

Not on the right summit.....

So off we went for the other summit....

Heading up to Snowgrass Mt

The views were good and we found the summit register, blah blah blah..... We reconnected with Natasha and headed back toward Ladies Pass. Wanting to avoid a steep scree traverse we opted to head straight up to Ladies Peak on a crusty snow slope.

Steep ascent to Ladies Peak

Looking down to Adam and Natasha

Soon we were on top and enjoying more views, but no summit register?

Beautiful

Snowgrass Ridge from Ladies Peak

A lady on Ladies Peak

We went back down to Ladies Pass and Adam and I wanted Cape Horn. He thought we could hit it up in the morning, but the more we hiked to the pass, the more I knew I wanted to get this one tonight, so we did!

Cape Horn summit

Adam on Cape Horn summit

Back down at the lake we were greeted by a great scene over the water.

Lake Edna

Lake Edna

The mosquitos were EPIC!!!!!! OMG they were swarming everywhere!!!!! I set up my tent in record time and grabbed my dinner and retreated to my tent for the night.

Smoke and moon

In the morning we broke camp and got the heck out of there since the bugs didn't seem to rest all night.

Nosey Marmot!

Back through Index Creek Basin...

Looking back into the basin

Just over the pass Adam and I headed for Grindstone while Natasha kept on with the main trail. Luckily for me, Adam had done great research for this peak as my plan would have had us missing the summit by a long shot.... Over the notch in the ridge we traversed a steep snow slope.

Looking back at a steep snow traverse

Soon that section was done and the summit was within view.

Rock and snow

Instead of going the easy way... we traversed the east ridge and got some more fun scrambling in before hitting the summit.

Sylvester Lake below

Grindstone summit

We didn't stick around long before heading out. It was gonna be a hot day and we were fed up with the darn bugs! The rest of the trip was uneventful as we felt like we were being cooked the whole way down. The further down we went, we got out of the mosquitos and into more heat. Despite the heat and bugs, I am so glad that I got to reach these summits with such a great friend. This is one of those trips that I will remember for the rest of my life

[Gimpilator]

By far the worst mosquitoes I have ever encountered. I was able to kill about 8 at a time with one swat.

at the first pass

Lake Edna

above Edna

Ladies

going to the wrong notch

Grace lakes

upper Grace Lake

triumphant on the wrong summit

Big Chiwaukum

the correct summit

ascending Ladies

tongue action on Ladies

gnarly Snowgrass/Ladies ridge crest

chest puffing peakbagger

Grindstone

ascending Cape Horn in failing light

moonrise over Big Lou

39 mosquitoes

63 mosquitoes

ascending Grindstone

Sylvester Lake from Grindstone summit

[seabadge]

A memorable one for me as well. Here's a few of my favorites...

Bryan on a ledge

Cape Horn

Lake Edna

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Bryan and Adam on the NE summit (the lower of the two) of Snowgrass

Rock features below Snowgrass

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Bryan and Adam on the true summit of Snowgrass

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Ascending Ladies Peak. Cape Horn and Grindstone back and left.

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Another from the summit of Ladies Peak

[MLHSN]

I love that area. Although, the bugs were horrendous when I was there too. After four days we had to take sanity breaks and set up the tent to get away ffrom the bugs for an hour. I think If I go back, it will be the first week of August. Thanks for the report

[HitTheTrail]

One of my favorite areas. Doesn’t matter if you go in from Chatter Ck, Frosty Pass, or Wildhorse, you get to the same beautiful place(and it's less than an hour from my house). Good effort on the peaks. Also liked the vid. I am glad someone from NWhikers was able to tag Snowgrass this month!

[Malachai Constant]

First time I went there I thought I had climbed Snowgrass on a foggy day. Did not find out it was the false summit until we went back years latter

[Magellan]

Mon Dieu! That is a lot of mosquitoes! Really nice pictures Natasha.