[Dustin Trails]

Little Devil Fletcher usually has good trip ideas and when he suggested Little Devil it seemed like another one. As it turns out, I think it was originally Dave's idea. Either way, a great choice for the day. The only hiccup is that because snow conditions have been so poor for skiing as of late, we would have to snowshoe instead. If you know me, you may know that snowshoeing is my least favorite way that I travel in the mountains. But on the bright side, I generally love being in the mountains so snowshoeing is still fun. I plan to keep this pretty short because I would like to go to sleep. Our decent-sized crew all converged at the Lookout Mountain Trail on Cascade River Road at 7am. Actually, everyone (coming from various places) was a touch early so we got the bags tidied up and were moving by 7:15. I was really impressed that nobody was late. We switch backed up the Lookout Mountain Trail until hitting patchy snow and eventually deep snow around 3500', where we donned snowshoes. After crossing two meadows we went steeply uphill and emerged from the trees to crisp morning views. Hopefully somebody else got some pics here. From there, some prolonged side hilling took us under Teebone Ridge and Point 6844' and above Monogram Lake.

GPX of descent

Fletcher with Dave in the background after a quick break

Nearing the glacier, Eldorado & The Triad background

Same area with better view of Isolation Traverse

Further in the background of the previous photo are perhaps Primus, Austera... Klawatti? Somebody help me out with that if you know. In the foreground is The Bat. On the left I believe is Newhalem Peaks. We then traveled the really neat and fairly flat glacier south of Little Devil's summit. It was incredible to see these mountains under winter snowpack and I think it's fair to say we were all stoked to do some peak nerding in the alpine on a nice weather day and taking full advantage of a good avy forecast.

Off the glacier towards SW summit ridge

The final push to the summit got steep enough for axes, crampons and a bit of caution. A large cornice exists on top and the summit area is relatively small but made for a decent break. Great views from Baker to Glacier and then looking east, deep into the North Cascades.

Nearing the summit

Fletcher on the final pitch

Baker

Snowfield Peak and surrounding

Andrea happy on the summit!

Beginning down, Glacier Peak background

Everyone made good time getting off the peak and we had an additional, more-relaxed break lower down. The summit was breezy, making it also feel cold. Our route back was more efficient than our route in.

Sun behind Pk 6844

Isolation Traverse peaks to Eldorado

This trip really lent itself to quite a few more trip ideas. I guess that always happens, but looking at these peaks in winter sure got the wheels turning. It was helpful to be joined up with such a strong team and I am thankful for their skill and good humor. Notes *Only attempt in low avalanche danger *Avy gear necessary *Crampons and axe during winter and in combination with flotation *12.3mi, 6580' gain, 10:11 round trip time

[RichP]

Nice! A day in the mountains doesn't get any better than that.

[kitya]

I'm full of envy Looks like perfect timing with all the frozen snow too.

[Stefan]

great! Hey, did you need snowshoes on the trail? was it hard packed in the trees?

[raising3hikers]

[Fletcher]

Really fun day with all my favorite mountain buddies. I’ll put some pics up later when I have a chance.

[raising3hikers]

here's a few of my pics. fun trip, nice to get a good weather window like that in january

a few decided to go low

backbone ridge, the bat and radar pks

reed leading up to the summit

the crew heading up

typical slopes we'd cross

last look at little devil

[Fletcher]

A little late to the party here, but here are my photos from the climb.

a nice morning in the North Cascades

cool clouds in the Cascade River Valley

Dave

Dorado Needle and Eldorado

some big recent avy debris

the CREW

summit

Dustin making sure

north cascades

Hozos

Eldo

heading home

Thanks for the awesome day everyone!

[timberghost]