[ozzy]

Sorry for the late report but we had such a blast up there I decided I better write one up lol. The only good window during the week was on Tuesday so we decided some sick days were in order! As per freakin usual Hans and Bryan were easily persuaded! We decided for a nice alpiny start seeing as it could be the last chance of the year. The stoke was high to try and get up there for the sunrise! We met Hans at the Perry Creek trail around 3am and were moving at 345am. The miles flew by up to the ridge that lies between Forgotten and stillaguamish. We left the trail at 4600ft and climbed straight up until we intersected the climber's path that leads all the way to stillaguamish. The meadow rambling is awesome up here and it's pretty sweet how quick you reach the alpine! On the way to the peak we stopped at pt 5443' to catch a cool sunrise! The inversion layer added to the gnarliness! We made it here around 7am. Sipping on whiskey the moment was splendid for all, cheers Bois!

Bryan early dawn

inversion with whitechuck and Pugh

ooohh buddy

the montes and dickerman

big 4

love this time of day

gp and Sloan

can't drink all day unless you start in the morning!

Awesome stuff

never gets old

Stillaguamish

ooohweee

Going into this one we weren't expecting much...but dayum what a stellar area!! The weather man was right on today, mostly sunny! Big four, the montes, Sloan, gp, Pugh and whitechuck, baker, Whitehorse, and 3 fingers to name a few were out in full force!! We took our time to the peak, the nice trail was pleasant. The views just get better and better the closer you get. Once the summit block was reached we had a nice little class-2/3 finish to the broad area up top! Wow!! Awesome views to boot all round! It was nice and comfy up there too so we decided for the extended stay! We got lucky and found a mounty reg up there. What a sweet leisurely stroll that was much needed, I love the mtn loop. The time was 9am.

nice layering down low, whitechuck above

closer

love these places

the last slopes to the summit

last move up top

B dawg topping out

Baker back there

the reg with 3 fingers and Whitehorse

bums

forgotten and gp

Stokery

Stilly valley

the ridge back home

reluctance

The time always flies by when on a peak, or just in the alpine in general lol. We ended up reluctantly leaving at 1045am. As we headed back down many stops were made to maximize our time up there. We couldn't help ourselves! Retracing our route back through the beauty of the meadows it went quick. After that we were in the trees for a while then the stretch by Perry Creek falls was alive with fall colors! It was sweet seeing all the bright yellows and they weren't even larches lol. We got back to the car at 3pm making it just over 11hrs for the day. I think the mileage is around 13 miles with about 4600ft gain. Man we were totally fulfilled with this lil peak, it exceeded expectations for sure. I'm starting to love the mtn loop more and more each year it seems! Well thanks Hans and Bryan for getting back out again! Cheers buddies and cheers to all!!

back down the peak

Hans coming down

South lk and pemmican

Hans playing around

this guy lol

ledges

break spot

another break spot

what a day

looking back

Pugh and forgotten

the shiny part of Perry Creek

[zephyr]

Great report. Looks like fun up there on that ridge. I've been up Perry Creek as far as the high point before the descent/traverse to Mt. Forgotten. That view in the last photo seems to get a lot of attention in the fall during leaf season. I've seen it a few times here. Makes me want to go back.

[camut]

Really enjoyed your pictures of an old familiar friend. We used to go up there a lot, but haven't been in a long time. Used to be a fairly large herd (maybe a dozen or so) goats up there.

[RichP]

Great berry picking in season on that ridge too.

[ozzy]

[Chief Joseph]

That's a fun one and a really nice trail...once you find it. Unlikely to see anyone on that hike. I want to go back and camp and fish at South lake, just below Stilly Peak.

[ozzy]

[camut]

South Lake is a really pleasant place to camp, and not difficult to get to. It used to have fish; don't know if it still does.

[Chief Joseph]

Anyone know the best route down to the lake? Prior to the traverse, on the right there was a drop off that would require maybe a couple of short raps....thinking west, then down toward the north would be better.

[camut]

CJ, getting to South Lake involves nothing any more difficult then a steep heather/berry brush scramble following the path of least resistance from the obvious low point in the ridge. I don't know how many people go there now, but it would not surprise me at all if there is now an obvious bootpath and/or some flagging. A map and some common sense should get you there. There used to be a guy (I don't remember his name) who would fly you in to South Lake by helicopter. (It is not in Wilderness.) I've heard some pretty wild stories about some of those escapades.

[Theboywhocriedroute]

Yes sir! Oh how my expectations were exceeded... theres always something new to see as the seasons pass, like those leaves riding currents up the cliff face and swirling around the ridge like a snowglobe!! Great stealth op, great sunrise, and a pleasure doing business with you and b dawg yet again

[Lightning_bug]

[puzzlr]

It looks like you got a fantastic day on a great peak. Thanks for the photo of the brass Mountaineers register. I added it to a list I'm keeping of the peaks that still have one of these. AFAIK, what's out there is all there will every be, assuming a new batch isn't manufactured. The Mountaineers had a good article about summit register history.

[raising3hikers]

[KascadeFlat]

Love the early morning shots. Inversions never get old. Perry Creek is a special place and leads to even specialer places. Thank you for sharing!