[Nancyann]

One Acre Lake below Mt. Stickney seemed like a good idea for Sunday as a way to avoid holiday traffic on Highway 2. From my house, I could see snow up that way, but I gambled and left the snowshoes at home. Big mistake! Snow covered the trail starting at about 2500 feet, and was at least three feet deep by the time we got close to the offtrail path to the lake at about 4,000 feet.

Trail to Mt. Stickney 11/25/18

It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood for the first 1 1/2 miles!

On the trail to Mt.Stickney 11/25/18

Then the snow appeared, making the brush-bashing more interesting.

Trail to Mt. Stickney 11/25/18

Trail to Mt. Stickney 11/25/18

We begin to see lots of animal tracks.

Cat tracks along the trail to Mt.Stickney 11/25/18

Trail to Mt.Stickney 11/25/18

Views began to open up as we gained elevation.

Headwaters of Olney Creek from trail to Mt.Stickney 11/25/18

Trail to Mt.Stickney 11/25/18

Trail to Mt.Stickney 11/25/18

Trail to Mt.Stickney 11/25/18

Trail to Mt. Stickney 11/25/18

Trail to Mt. Stickney 11/25/18

Trail to Mt.Stickney 11/25/18

By the time we reached the saddle at about 4 miles, the snow was three feet deep “Cascade Concrete”, making breaking trail with our boots way too much work. So we took a lunch break and enjoyed the views into the Wild Sky and MorningStar backcountry, before turning around.

View towards the Monte Cristos from the trail to Mt. Stickney 11/25/18

Static and Greider Peaks from the trail to Mt.Stickney 11/25/18

Static and Greider Peaks from the trail to Mt.Stickney 11/25/18

South Fork Sultan River drainage from the trail to Mt.Stickney 11/25/18

Turnaround point for no snowshoes on the trail to Mt.Stickney. Elevation 4,000ft, snow depth 3 ft. 11/25/18

On the way back it began snowing, so we stopped to put on our rain gear, only to discover that it was a just a brief squall, despite the threatening skies!

Heading back down the trail to Mt.Stickney 11/25/18

Heading back down the trail to Mt.Stickney 11/25/18

Heading back down the trail to Mt.Stickney 11/25/18

Puget Sound lowlands and Mt. Pilchuck from the trail to Mt.Stickney 11/25/18

Mt. Pilchuck from trail to Mt.Stickney 11/25/18

Heading back down the trail to Mt.Stickney 11/25/18

Along the trail to Mt.Stickney 11/25/18

Along the trail to Mt.Stickney 11/25/18

Our exit plan was to arrive at the trailhead after dark, after the target shooters would be gone. As we hiked out, we heard lots of gunfire until about 5pm, when it was fairly dark. It seemed like our plan was working, until we had about 1/2 mile to go. Then, suddenly, we heard new gunfire, and it sounded like it was right where we were headed. By now it was pitch dark, and we were using our headlamps. Not certain what to do, I waited until there was a break between volleys, and then I started shouting at the top of my lungs to stop shooting. Fortunately, they apparently did hear me, and the shooting ceased. As we approached the gate, we aimed our headlamps towards the truck that was parked where we were headed, and then they quickly left. It was a very nerve-wracking experience, and it wasn’t until later that I realized that we should have made an emergency call on our Garmin InReach and just waited for law enforcement to arrive. Lesson learned!

[Randito]

Nice photos -- looks like a good non-horde overrun place to hike.

[Ski]

Maybe this is a stupid question, but aren't there regulations about not shooting after dark? WAC 332-52-145

[Schroder]

Where did you start from Nancy?

[Nancyann]

Schroder, we started up the Olney Creek drainage from a target shooter garbage dump off the Spada Lake Road. Randy, thanks for reminding me about using the whistle. I tend to forget that I carry one. Thanks for posting the target shooting rules, Ski! I know they are not supposed to be (1) shooting there in the first place and (2) not supposed to be target shooting ANYWHERE after dark. Obviously they knew that too, that’s why they left in such a hurry. If we have this problem again, we will contact law enforcement with our InReach.

[GaliWalker]

Scary! Such non-hiking related issues are so much worse.

[Randito]

[BigBrunyon]

Sounds like some hunters engaging in the heavily frowned-upon "wild nights" technique where you drink whiskey and shoot in all directions after dark and then scan the area come morning to see what you got. Illegal as well as heavily frowned upon. Should be reported!

[Nancyann]

I am going to report it Wednesday, too busy out hiking today in the sun.

[SwitchbackFisher]

Unfortunately at this point reporting it is probably only a waste of your time. It’s to late to effect any enforcement action and the local sheriff department And WSP are probably stretched to thin with pending in progress calls to increase area check frequency. Unless you just want to give yourself the warm fuzzy feeling you reported it then go ahead. On other topic looked like a fun trip and good workout trudging through that snow.

[timberghost]

Reporting it will fall on deaf ears. It has been reported several times up there and nothing has been done about it.

[Nancyann]

We’ve chatted with enforcement several times this past summer when we see them up in the basin, and they have been making an attempt to change things for the better. It’s kind of like dealing with rats though.

[kitya]

Sultan area seems to be troubled This summer my car was broken into there while I was hiking and I still find little pieces of glass inside the car here and there. I called Sultan police and their response literally was "we don't investigate crimes like this if damage is less than $5000". While I do understand the point of saving police resources, I felt very upset because rules like this seems to hurt poor the most. I can absorb $5000 damage, but $5000 damage to somebody's car who doesn't have means may put them into a really bad situation and police basically refuses to even look at it.

[SwitchbackFisher]

[moonspots]