[neek]

Genesis The Carne High Route has been getting a lot of attention lately, and now I know why. I can't add many practical details to the superb reports already posted on this site, except to confirm that 1) the road really is that bad, 2) the scenery really is that good, and 3) the trail is easy to follow, except where it's not. I wasn't originally going to do this, for some reason thinking Buck would be a good idea, approaching via the Justus route and exiting via Louis Creek (in part to see what the Napeequa looks like in evening light, since most photos from Little Giant Pass are taken in the morning, if I could even make it there before dark), but then chickened out because this is really not a climb for someone like me to attempt solo. So I "settled" for the Carne/Leroy loop, and in the process got a good view of the proposed Buck approach, as well as had a probably much better time than I otherwise would have. The larches aren't quite prime (not much change from geyer's trip a few days earlier) but the blueberry foliage sure is, and anyway I prefer the contrast displayed by trees in various stages of chlorophyll loss, and wondering whether it's microclimate, age, genetics, or what that causes this to happen at different times. The plan was to get an early start (which I did, which, along with providing plenty of time for reading and listening to music, is one of the benefits of insomnia), take a casual pace and spend the time being in the moment rather than stressing over all life's silly problems, and exit the boring Phelps Creek trail in the dark (indeed, the last half hour was on lamp). In addition to well-trod Maude and obligatory Carne (which is pronounced "carn", dang it, it's a dude's last name, Robert H. Carne from the early 1800s I believe, not at all related to Carne Asada), so-called Ice Box seemed like a reasonable summit to obtain, and in fact proved to be a fortuitous choice because the sky was sunniest and air clearest at this point of the day. Booting up Carne Not much to say here (thank goodness) - it's a trail all the way, bring your family etc.

1. First light, Brahma peak or thereabouts, from approximately the parking lot

2. Buck Mountain preparing for illumination

3. Buck Mountain illuminated

4. Clark

5. Ridge to Carne's summit

6. The other summit, "lookout site" (probably no longer there?)

7. Glacier "peek"

8. Maude, Ice Box, Peak 7919

9. Fortress and Chiwawa ("you'll be seeing a lot of us today!") with some sinister looking peak behind Spider Gap

Chillin' on Ice Box No difficulties on this one. First a rocky meadow, then some talus, then soft pumice slopes. I left the trail at 6300', slightly earlier than advised, and was glad for it. Went over a shoulder, dropped down 10 or 20 feet, worked around a basin, and headed up the S ridge. On the way down I cut NW across talus to meet the trail a little higher up than normal but note you still do have to drop down to the saddle to the S.

10. Larches, still fairly green

11. Colors

12. Western pasqueflower

13. More colors

14. Went over the flat part (7000') of this shoulder

15. Stay to the right of the cliffs and approach the saddle

16. Dusting of snow on the other side of the shoulder I crossed

17. Almost there. The pumice and ash made this a bit like walking up a sand dune.

18. Glacier Peak

19. Fortress, Chiwawa, Red... Dome at far right

20. Smoke settling in to the south

21. Glacier

22. Maude and Ice Lakes

23. The rougher NE side of the ridge

24. Spectacle Buttes

25. Maude and Upper Ice

26. Familiar skyline, now with Baker

27. Pretty much the same thing but zoomed and cropped

28. Summit tea (TM)

29. Mt. Baldy. There, I said it so you don't have to.

Note, there was no register that I could find. Mounting Maude Maude doesn't have to be a walk up (don't ask how I know), but is if you follow the well-defined path.

30. Larches still very green in this basin

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32. Glacier Peak framed by larches

33. A reasonable specimen

34. At the Maude-Freezer saddle, where Eric and I camped a few months ago

35. The classic Maude and Upper Ice Lake shot

36. You drop down to the right

37. Summit shot

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43. Freezer

Out via Leroy Creek I almost went out the way I came, thinking it would offer better views, but am glad I continued the loop, because the scenery approaching the Leroy Basin was stunning! Filtered low-angle afternoon light lent this leg the best larch and blueberry colors, and Seven Fingered Jack provided the backdrop for a variety of views.

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52. 7FJ

53. Big larch

54. Who goes there?

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56. Lichen it

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69. Final waterfall on Leroy Creek

Are we done? I think we're done. I was going to list all the 80s pop tunes that were running through my head throughout the day, but unfortunately need to attend some other business now. Approximate stats: 17 mi, 8500 ft gain, 13 hr

[cartman]

Some year soon bring neet (and the dogs) and do what I did, make a 2 day trip of it (or 3 and explore the lakes) with the larches at peak color and come in and out the High Route. Coming out the backlighting of the larches in the morning/early afternoon is truly spectacular. The world thanks you for not mentioning all that new wave crap--like Thompson Twins, Culture Club, Flock of Seagulls...wait, did I just mention those?

[neek]

[cartman]

I regret bringing it up already.

[Damian]

[GaliWalker]

Excellent trip and photos. The larches looked great!

[wildernessed]

Good Stuff !

[awilsondc]

Some really beautiful photos there neek! Gonna have to go back for that high route!

[olderthanIusedtobe]

You really captured a nice palette of fall colors. I was nearby on Wednesday and was thinking about doing the Carne/Leroy Cr. loop on Thursday but for some reason wasn't quite feeling it. Looks like I missed out, but Mt. David turned out to be pretty good too.

[Justus S.]

Nice trip, great fall colors.

[puzzlr]

[OutOfOffice]

8500ft gain!!! wow. Grueling day. Let me know next time you do one of these mid-week jaunts. I'll take the day off

[silence]

gorgeous ... you hit it perfectly!

[Brushbuffalo]

Stunning pictures! Makes me eager to get back up there this Fall.