Puzzlr and I were turned back from this hike last fall due to a large tree on the road and returned for a rematch today.
The Pete Lake Trail is quite muddy after the recent storms and all creeks are full but still passable.
Giant Parking area for Pete Lake Trail.
A wet and muddy Pete Lake Trail after the rains.
After turning off on the junction for the Tired Ck Trail in 1.4 miles, the trail reaches a road in .6 of a mile but you have to walk about 50 yards south along the road to find the continuation. From here the climb is steep until reaching meadows below Polallie Ridge. There are some nice views where the forest is open.
Chikamin Peak.
Lemah Mtn.
Where we are headed.
Snow started at about 5000' but was never more than 6 inches or so.
Finally in the sun on the Tired Ck Trail.
Polallie Ridge.
A small pond that has formed on the trail from recent rain.
Mt Daniel.
Bears Breast.
Mt Hinman.
Falls below Mt Daniel.
The lookout site is not the actual highpoint, so we continued along the ridge crossing several more bumps for about a mile of easy hiking.
Puzzlr at Polallie Ridge Lookout site.
Polallie Ridge Lookout site.
On to the highpoint about another mile away.
Looking back to lookout site.
Cone Mtn and Stuart.
The ridge to the highpoint of Polallie Ridge.
Looking back to the ridge toward the lookout.
Polallie Ridge highpoint 5560.'
We noticed a fire burning above Cooper Lake which seemed odd after all the rains.
A fire above Cooper Lake we noticed on the way down.
The weather was definitely turning by the time we made it back to the car just before 3pm. Good to sneak this one in with the short break in between storms.
You got some really great pictures of the new snow and even enjoyed some sunshine!
I went further north up to Dirtyface and there was nowhere near that much sun! The views to the south were partially obscured by clouds and some controlled burning which polluted the air for miles.
RP, why'd you guys chose that route to PR instead of the ridge trail near the Waptus TH?
-------------- "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
0
-------------- "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."
I dont remember a trail peeling off the Pete lake trail. Where does it leave it?
-------------- "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
0
-------------- "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."
I called the Cle Elum Ranger Station to ask about the fire. They said it's a controlled burn. During the hike, Richard and I were wondering why it was in an area that appeared to be recently logged. They explained that this was burning slash from commercial thinning after the regrowth gets to be 10-15 feet high. The thinned material is piled up and covered with tarps to keep it dry, then burned this time of year when there is little chance of the fire spreading.
A few of my photos. One of the highlights of the day were the bright yellow and red vine maples.
The jog in the trail at the old road crossing. Some additional signage would be helpful because you cannot see the continuation of the trail when you reach the road
We started out in a valley fog but eventually climbed out of it and started getting some sun breaks
Emerging into meadows near the lookout site
The main trail drops off the ridge toward a lake, but we stayed on the ridge to get to the summit.
Polallie Ridge summit
Walking the mostly open ridge
Tired Creek sign-on-sign
Old growth trees in naturally open forest
Vine maple
More big trees along the trail
Vine maple on trail
Pine mushroom
Can any one help identify this? It's not rare, but I don't remember seeing it before.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases when you use our link(s).
