[rocknclimb]

Sorry for the late trip report as I imagine conditions have changed significantly since. Anyways, was hoping to get out and hike up a mountain for my Birthday. Thankfully the weather was looking good, and even recruited my dad and a couple friends to join in on the fun. The 4 of us met at the Cayuse Horse Camp near Salmon La Sac. The camp was obviously closed, but there is plenty of street parking nearby. The trail was in good condition with very few fallen trees to deal with. After switchbacking up a couple miles we hit consistent snow around 3,600'. Our group used snowshoes from here, but could have managed without.

Icy bridge crossing

Eventually reached a nice little basin around 5,200'. From here we made an ascending steepish traverse to a saddle at 5'600'.

Break at the saddle

The summer trail follows the ridge proper, but we dropped a bit into the basin and worked our way to an obvious saddle cutting out some distance. The destruction from the Jolly Mtn Fire in the area is intense.

Hiking through the burn

Neil starting up the ridge

Neil leading the way

Jolly Mtn fire remnants

After reaching the saddle we continued to follow the ridge the last few hundred feet to the summit. Always feels good to nab a backcourt peak on your Birthday with family and friends.

Dad & Stu

Teanaway looking good

Stuart & The Enchantments

Rainer

Liz happy for the summit

summit selfie

Nearing the summit

Neil soaking in the view

The amount of convergent ladybugs on the summit block was out of this world.

Ladybugs

Ladybug galore

Ladybug swarm

Ladybug orgy

After enjoying our summit beers and the views we reluctantly headed back down the valley.

Heading back down

Celebrated in Roslyn with beers and food from the Roslyn Cafe. Highly recommended..

Queen of the ladybugs

Lizzy happy for the sunshine & views

12.5 miles w/ 3,900' gained. Another great day in the mountains!!!

[fourteen410]

[Malachai Constant]

Ladybugs bite!