| Previous :: Next Topic |
| Author |
Message |
Matt
Tea, Earl Grey, Hot
Joined: 30 Jan 2007
Posts: 4246 | TRs
Location: Shoreline
|
Date: 1/23/2021
Destination: Galleon Mtn 5283 (USGS Snoqualmie Lake)
Party: Matt, Carla, Elle
Short Version: We hiked up the Green Ridge trail to Green Ridge and Hi Low Lakes, then went up steep forest to the col just left of the sharp outcrop south of the summit, and followed the crest to the top. Firm crusty snow made for straightforward cramponing, with no rope needed. We followed excellent directions from Monty's trip report.
 Galleon GPS Track
The Green Ridge trail starts at an unmarked spot on the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Road, 4.4 miles past the Taylor River junction. The road has become even worse than I remembered. It took 25 minutes to drive through he giant potholes and washouts.
The trail itself starts just before a couple wide spots for parking. It lives up to its name, becoming a very green ridge higher up, after some extra steep parts lower down. At 3450 feet, we turned off on the junction to Green Ridge Lake, and shortly had to don crampons for hard crusted snow. Sun was shining warm as we traversed around the north side of Green Ridge Lake. Carla and Elle decided to stop there and enjoy the sunshine, while I continued on.
 steep trail  a very green forested ridge  Hiking up toward Green Ridge Lake  Traversing along the edge of Green Ridge Lake
Snow in the forest was mostly a good crampon crust, making for steady progress up to the ridge crest. On the crest, there was a bit more fresh snow, but it was solidly attached, and allowed for kicking good bucket steps. Snow definitely helped for this part of the trip. Where summer parties had traversed across steep rock, I could kick in bucket steps and was getting full depth placements on my ice axe. At the steep notch just before the summit, brush provided good handholds both down into the notch. A short section of Gabriel's rope emerged from snow on the far side, but kicking steps between the brush and snow let me ascend safely.
 Route from Green Ridge Lake to Galleon  Steep traverse along the crest toward the summit  Notch with Gabriel's old rope buried in snow  Looking back from the summit to the notch and col  I made it to the top  Me walking around near the summit
Views from Galleon summit:
 Looking northeast to Snoqualmie Lake and Glacier Peak  Looking east to Horseshoe Lake, Big Snow, and the Snoqualmie Crest  Looking northwest to Garfield and Treen, plus Green Ridge and Hi-Low Lakes  Closer view of Garfield and East Garfield  Looking south to Chair & Kaleetan (and the top of Rainier)  Tea, tracks, and sunshine
Travel downward went quickly, and I only had to use my headlamp for the final 20 minutes back to the trailhead. While I changed clothes at my car, I could easily hear when each passing vehicle approached by the rattle-clunk-splash-clunk of their tires hitting the potholes.
 Last light and rising moon on the way out.
Stats: 8 miles, 4200 cumulative gain, 9 hours
--------------
“As beacons mountains burned at evening.” J.R.R. Tolkien |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
RichP
here and there
Joined: 13 Jul 2006
Posts: 5038 | TRs
|
| That took determination to make it up there in winter. I don't suppose you found Monty's register under the snow? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Stefan
Member
Joined: 17 Dec 2001
Posts: 4670 | TRs
|
beautiful shots...as usual!
--------------
Art is an adventure. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Randy
Cube Rat
Joined: 18 Dec 2001
Posts: 2889 | TRs
Location: Near the Siamangs
|
| Love that summit. I think I did that trip with Stefan. I think... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
dicey
custom title
Joined: 11 May 2004
Posts: 2867 | TRs
Location: giving cornices a wider berth
|
You did! And me, and Cartman and the Beave and several others. We had terrible weather and no views!
--------------
I'm not always sure I like being older but being less stupid has advantages.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/32121172@N00/sets/ |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Randy
Cube Rat
Joined: 18 Dec 2001
Posts: 2889 | TRs
Location: Near the Siamangs
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
KascadeFlat
Member
Joined: 06 Jul 2020
Posts: 82 | TRs
Location: Eating peanut M&Ms under my blue tarp
|
That trail from the road to Green Ridge lake is no joke. I attempted Galleon in 2019 and I think I need a couple more years of rest before tackling that one again.  Good for you guys for getting out there in January! I am inspired.
--------------
For a good time call: 1-800-SLD-ALDR. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
puzzlr
Mid Fork Rocks
Joined: 13 Feb 2007
Posts: 6838 | TRs
Location: Stuck in the middle
|
Matt, I think you're right that the summit ridge is easier with a solid snow pack. It's fun how Gabriel's stuck rope lives on in TRs.
| Matt wrote: |
Closer view of Garfield and East Garfield |
What's up with the main Garfield peak being snow free and East Garfield ridge being plastered and corniced?
--------------
Mid Fork Rocks • flickr |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Brushbuffalo
Member
Joined: 17 Sep 2015
Posts: 1748 | TRs
Location: there earlier, here now, somewhere later... Bellingham in between
|
| Matt wrote: |
a very green forested ridge Me walking around near the summit |
Excellent trip in stellar midwinter conditions by Team Red.
--------------
Passing rocks and trees like they were standing still |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Brushbuffalo
Member
Joined: 17 Sep 2015
Posts: 1748 | TRs
Location: there earlier, here now, somewhere later... Bellingham in between
|
| puzzlr wrote: |
| What's up with the main Garfield peak being snow free and East Garfield ridge being plastered and corniced? |
Maybe just that the snow can't stick to the steep slabs but can adhere when held by veg. and broken rock. I haven't climbed either peak, so this is just a wild hypothesis based only on the picture.
--------------
Passing rocks and trees like they were standing still |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Mike Collins
Member
Joined: 18 Dec 2001
Posts: 2835 | TRs
|
| puzzlr wrote: |
What's up with the main Garfield peak being snow free and East Garfield ridge being plastered and corniced?
Closer view of Garfield and East Garfield |
A number of years ago I climbed the main summit of Garfield on Feb 19. The approach was from the north via the North Pass. You will definitely be kicking steps in the high-angled snow to reach the summit from the north in the winter. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
iron
Member
|
| this TR is like the who's who list of yesteryear. even a dicey post. just need quark, DHM, geohiker, and a few others and it'll be like 2008 all over again. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Type E
Member
Joined: 19 Aug 2006
Posts: 1364 | TRs
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Mike Collins
Member
Joined: 18 Dec 2001
Posts: 2835 | TRs
|
| iron wrote: |
| this TR is like the who's who list of yesteryear. |
Yesteryear...Ouch... I was so upset the tennis balls flew off my walker. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Quark
Niece of Alvy Moore
Joined: 15 May 2003
Posts: 14155 | TRs
|
| Mike Collins wrote: |
| iron wrote: |
| this TR is like the who's who list of yesteryear. |
Yesteryear...Ouch... I was so upset the tennis balls flew off my walker. |
Mine too. But first, I had to pick up my teeth after they fell out of my mouth when I shouted outrage and other endearing expletives after reading this. darn whippersnappers.
--------------
"...Other than that, the post was more or less accurate."
Bernardo, NW Hikers' Bureau Chief of Reporting |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
