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puzzlr
Mid Fork Rocks



Joined: 13 Feb 2007
Posts: 7216 | TRs | Pics
Location: Stuck in the middle
puzzlr
Mid Fork Rocks
PostWed Nov 01, 2017 10:09 pm 
Squire Creek Pass and the nearby highpoint Higher Squire must have some of the most outstanding views in the state for a place with relatively easy access. There are other reports, but mostly with snow or ice such as Barb and Elle's previous trip. They kept mentioning "sheets of ice" and now that I see the photos I know what they mean. I even went to the pass 5 years ago in deep snow and saw nothing but a whiteout.
Squire Creek Pass in June 2012
Squire Creek Pass in June 2012
On this trip we had something more like sheets of sunshine, and we had a lot of fun on a warm October day thanks to the Super Inversion. Thanks to Elle, Barb and Karen for a fantastic fall hike.
Three O'clock Rock
Three O'clock Rock
Big cedar with what looks like an artificially cut off downward facing branch. The part that fell off was a huge burl that must have been so heavy it sheared away from the parent branch.
Big cedar with what looks like an artificially cut off downward facing branch. The part that fell off was a huge burl that must have been so heavy it sheared away from the parent branch.
Slabs in flats approaching Squire Creek Pass
Slabs in flats approaching Squire Creek Pass
Squire Creek Pass, cairn and Ulalach Peak
Squire Creek Pass, cairn and Ulalach Peak
Squire Creek Pass cairn and Three Fingers
Squire Creek Pass cairn and Three Fingers
Three Fingers from Squire Creek Pass
Three Fingers from Squire Creek Pass
Higher Squire on left, Squire Spire on right. Suprisingly, the left peak is higher.
Higher Squire on left, Squire Spire on right. Suprisingly, the left peak is higher.
Leaving Squire Creek Pass
Leaving Squire Creek Pass
Finding a way to the east ridge of Higher Squire
Finding a way to the east ridge of Higher Squire
East ridge of Higher Squire
East ridge of Higher Squire
Exfoliation Dome
Exfoliation Dome
Very steep heather near the summit of Higher Squire
Very steep heather near the summit of Higher Squire
Final scramble to summit of Higher Squire
Final scramble to summit of Higher Squire
Izzy is first on the summit of Higher Squire
Izzy is first on the summit of Higher Squire
Squire Spire from Higher Squire
Squire Spire from Higher Squire
Karen arrives at the summit
Karen arrives at the summit
Higher Squire panorama including Three Fingers, Bullon, Whitehorse, Baker, Shuksan, Ulalach, Jumbo
Higher Squire panorama including Three Fingers, Bullon, Whitehorse, Baker, Shuksan, Ulalach, Jumbo
Barb, Elle and Karen on Higher Squire
Barb, Elle and Karen on Higher Squire
Descending heather benches below the east ridge
Descending heather benches below the east ridge
Fun walking down a slab creek to connect to the Squire Creek trail
Fun walking down a slab creek to connect to the Squire Creek trail
Big cedar on the Squire Creek trail
Big cedar on the Squire Creek trail
Huge cedar on the Squire Creek trail
Huge cedar on the Squire Creek trail
Squire Creek trail kiosk describing groups contributing to road and trail maintenance
Squire Creek trail kiosk describing groups contributing to road and trail maintenance
I have a question for the geologists reading this report. Squire Creek Pass is the second place I've recently seen slabby rock areas with knobby protrusions. These areas must have been glaciated at one time, but they don't look scraped like those areas often do. What is the process to get from the scraped look to this knobby grainy look?
Bumps on slabs at Squire Creek Pass
Bumps on slabs at Squire Creek Pass

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iron
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iron
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PostThu Nov 02, 2017 9:41 am 
puzzlr wrote:
Bumps on slabs at Squire Creek Pass
Bumps on slabs at Squire Creek Pass
chickenheads?

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BarbE
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BarbE
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PostThu Nov 02, 2017 9:43 am 
From our previous trip's experience I knew the NE ridge would be the more pleasant way to reach Higher Squire. Another balmy autumn day with crystal clear views and great company.
In awe of Squire Creek Pass scenery
In awe of Squire Creek Pass scenery
Higher Squire Creek Pass
Higher Squire Creek Pass
summit
summit
Mount Baker & epic climbing wall
Mount Baker & epic climbing wall
Higher Squire highpoint
Higher Squire highpoint
Monty above Squire Creek Pass
Monty above Squire Creek Pass
Glacier Peak from Higher Squire
Glacier Peak from Higher Squire
Skirting the cliffs below Higher Squire
Skirting the cliffs below Higher Squire
Following the creek slabs back to the trail
Following the creek slabs back to the trail

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Brushbuffalo
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Brushbuffalo
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PostThu Nov 02, 2017 4:36 pm 
puzzlr wrote:
have a question for the geologists reading this report. Squire Creek Pass is the second place I've recently seen slabby rock areas with knobby protrusions. These areas must have been glaciated at one time, but they don't look scraped like those areas often do. What is the process to get from the scraped look to this knobby grainy look?
Bumps on slabs at Squire Creek Pass
Bumps on slabs at Squire Creek Pass
Monty, it is hard to tell for sure from the pictures (do you have any close-ups?), but quite often in granitic rock those knobs are xenoliths (inclusions of the wall rock that was in contact with the intrusion of magma). The xenoliths might consist of rock that is more resistant to weathering and erosion, so when the rock is exposed, the knobs stand out in relief. All except the largest in your picture are darker, suggesting a different rock than the host. That's my guess. I haven't been to Squire Creek Pass area in about 25 years, but it is worth a look. Monday is looking good but new snow will probably cover the rock.

Passing rocks and trees like they were standing still
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Brushbuffalo
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PostThu Nov 02, 2017 4:42 pm 
iron wrote:
puzzlr wrote:
Bumps on slabs at Squire Creek Pass
Bumps on slabs at Squire Creek Pass
chickenheads?
Same concept.....differential weathering of inclusions within granitic rock.

Passing rocks and trees like they were standing still
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puzzlr
Mid Fork Rocks



Joined: 13 Feb 2007
Posts: 7216 | TRs | Pics
Location: Stuck in the middle
puzzlr
Mid Fork Rocks
PostThu Nov 02, 2017 8:56 pm 
Quote:
do you have any close-ups?
This was my closeup. I forgot my electron microscope on this trip :-)

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