Forum Index > Trip Reports > Meadow Mtn via Stirrup Lake May 17, 2016
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RichP
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RichP
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PostWed May 18, 2016 8:13 am 
Puzzlr and I teamed up for a hike of this old lookout peak on the south side of Snoqualmie Pass. In summer one can nearly drive to the top on forest roads, but we decided to combine Meadow Mtn with a visit to Stirrup Lake for a longer hike. We followed directions from Whitebark's site to get to the trailhead. https://sites.google.com/site/cedarriverdivide/main/hikes-east-of-mcclellan-butte/stirrup-lake-1 The trail starts off in a clearcut but soon enters old growth following the sounds of Stirrup Ck.
The trailhead is a hundred yards up FR 5484.
The trailhead is a hundred yards up FR 5484.
Hiking along Stirrup Creek.
Hiking along Stirrup Creek.
Some blowdown from the winter on the trail.
Some blowdown from the winter on the trail.
The trail crosses the PCT at .7 miles and enters a clearcut area.
The trail crosses the PCT at .7 miles and enters a clearcut area.
In .7 miles it crosses the PCT and enters another clearcut. Here there was more snow but we managed the .4 miles to the lake easily. The lake is quite nice with Meadow Mtn looming above.
Stirrup Lake with Meadow Mtn above.
Stirrup Lake with Meadow Mtn above.
Puzzlr checking out a flat piece of wood.
Puzzlr checking out a flat piece of wood.
Meadow Mtn from Stirrup Lake.
Meadow Mtn from Stirrup Lake.
We continued on the trail through forest until passing another pond and arriving to the road at Meadow Pass 3700' 1.6 miles from where we started.
The unsigned western end of the trail at Meadow Pass.
The unsigned western end of the trail at Meadow Pass.
From here we walked the road about 2.5 miles through intermittent snow to near the top of Meadow Mtn. We left the road at the last switchback and hiked the last bit through forest up the SW slope.
Another small lake near Meadow Pass.
Another small lake near Meadow Pass.
Old lookout site on Meadow Mtn 5414.'
Old lookout site on Meadow Mtn 5414.'
Cascade Crest Peaks.
Cascade Crest Peaks.
Rainier.
Rainier.
"Psilocybin Hill" 5130.'
"Psilocybin Hill" 5130.'
Puzzlr looking down on Meadow Pass area.
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Puzzlr looking down on Meadow Pass area.
Walking along to high point on Meadow Mtn 5440.'
Walking along to high point on Meadow Mtn 5440.'
Bench Mark.
Bench Mark.
We contemplated talking the old trail down the north side of the mountain to the PCT and making a loop, but it looked like we would be adding on quite a bit of distance. We returned the way we came but walked the road to the PCT crossing taking it about 1/4 mile back to the Stirrup Lake Trail.
Old PCT sign.
Old PCT sign.
Back to the car. We didn't park at the actual trailhead due to a lingering snowbank.
Back to the car. We didn't park at the actual trailhead due to a lingering snowbank.

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carlb328
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carlb328
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PostWed May 18, 2016 11:47 am 
How far is the trailhead from where you parked? I am thinking about going up there this weekend or next.

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RichP
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RichP
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PostWed May 18, 2016 3:17 pm 
carlb328 wrote:
How far is the trailhead from where you parked? I am thinking about going up there this weekend or next.
The trailhead is about 100 yards from where we parked. The sign was laying flat on the ground when we arrived since the post was rotted off at the bottom. If you have a spare piece if wire, it could be wrapped around the post and that tree to hold it up. There are no other signs identifying this trail besides the little one at the PCT crossing and I don't think it gets much use at all from the looks of it.

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Randito
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Randito
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PostWed May 18, 2016 4:38 pm 
Isn't the summit within the City of Tacoma watershed ?

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RichP
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PostWed May 18, 2016 4:52 pm 
RandyHiker wrote:
Isn't the summit within the City of Tacoma watershed ?
We saw Ceder River watershed signs while ascending the SW ridge but the summit is right on the border and is not in the watershed. We didn't have to set foot in the watershed to make the ascent as signs marking it were just below the summit. Kind of like Tinkham or Abiel in that way. This map shows the limits of the watershed. http://listsofjohn.com/mapf?lat=47.3043&lon=-121.4484&z=14&d=y&d=r The Green River watershed (Tacoma) is a bit more to the south.

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Randito
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Randito
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PostWed May 18, 2016 5:03 pm 
IDK -- I see large letters that say "Green River Watershed" just to the south of the summit along the slopes drain into the Green river.
Open this map full screen.

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RichP
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RichP
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PostWed May 18, 2016 5:13 pm 
RandyHiker wrote:
IDK -- I see large letters that say "Green River Watershed" just to the south of the summit along the slopes drain into the Green river.
I guess I don't know then. There were no signs indicating we were anywhere near the watershed except for just below the summit.

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Randito
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Randito
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PostWed May 18, 2016 5:18 pm 
RichP wrote:
I guess I don't know then. There were no sign indicating we were anywhere near the watershed except for near the summit.
Cool and I'll "bet Dave a donut" that sign was to the north and for the Cedar River Watershed. It's funny how it seems like there are a zillon signs along the borders of the Cedar River Watershed and apparently none on the Green River Watershed. I guess Seattle's grant writers where better at lobbying the DHS for extra money to spend on pointless projects than Tacoma's.

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RichP
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RichP
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PostWed May 18, 2016 7:28 pm 
RandyHiker wrote:
It's funny how it seems like there are a zillon signs along the borders of the Cedar River Watershed and apparently none on the Green River Watershed.
It seemed like there was a Ceder River Watershed sign every 30 feet. Most of the newer plastic ones are so faded that they are barely legible. They cover older paper signs still in good condition. dizzy.gif

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Backpacker Joe
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Backpacker Joe
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PostWed May 18, 2016 9:01 pm 
I need to get up there. It is my back yard and all. Thanks RP.

"If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time or die by suicide." — Abraham Lincoln
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puzzlr
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puzzlr
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PostWed May 18, 2016 10:52 pm 
Photos from the other camera on the trip, mostly non repeats. Thanks to Richard for planning the whole trip, I just went along for the ride. The mostly road-walk peak was perfect for me because I'm healing from elective surgery on my hand to straighten out two fingers with Duputryn's contracture. That's why there's a colorful brace on my hand. No ice axe or scrambling allowed!
Route on Google Earth
Route on Google Earth
Almost a washout on FR 5483
Almost a washout on FR 5483
Big dowfall (not new)
Big dowfall (not new)
Snow covered trail to Stirrup Lake
Snow covered trail to Stirrup Lake
Meadow Mountain from Stirrup Lake
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Meadow Mountain from Stirrup Lake
Nearing the end of Upper Snow Creek Road. Is this really driveable in summer?
Nearing the end of Upper Snow Creek Road. Is this really driveable in summer?
Cedar River Watershed boundary. We stayed on this side of it.
Cedar River Watershed boundary. We stayed on this side of it.
Approaching the summit ridge
Approaching the summit ridge
Meadow Mountain summit ridge from the lookout site. The high point is at the other end
Meadow Mountain summit ridge from the lookout site. The high point is at the other end
Lookout remains
Lookout remains
Walking the summit ridge to the high point
Walking the summit ridge to the high point
Frog
Frog
As far as land ownership, here's our route superimposed on King County tax payer info. The parcel line near our summit ridge climb must be off because we were clearly on the right side of the Cedar River Watershed line based on the signage. The Green River Watershed must be managed differently because those tax parcels are not owned by Tacoma the way the Cedar River land is owned by Seattle.
Land Ownership
Land Ownership

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RichP
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PostThu May 19, 2016 9:11 am 
puzzlr wrote:
Land Ownership
Land Ownership
Thanks for looking that up, puzzlr.

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whitebark
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PostThu May 19, 2016 10:13 am 
The old trail north from Meadow Mountain is completely gone in the clearcut areas - I looked for it some time ago. It would be interesting to see how much of the trail exists in the higher areas out of the clearcut zones. A remnant of the trail is still visible on the crest of Meadow Mtn.

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Backpacker Joe
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Backpacker Joe
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PostFri May 20, 2016 6:36 am 
Great map and pics guys.

"If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time or die by suicide." — Abraham Lincoln
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Mikey
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Mikey
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PostFri May 20, 2016 7:47 am 
I think the old USFS trail north from Meadow Mtn was used to access and supply the Meadow Mtn lookout before the roads NE of Meadow Mtn were constructed. That old trail was shown on old maps.

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