Forum Index > Trip Reports > Blowout Mtn and "Blow Past" Peak June 7, 2016
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RichP
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RichP
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PostWed Jun 08, 2016 10:25 am 
Puzzlr and I noticed this nice ridge and peak during our hike of Cole Butte in the same area last week and decided to return and check it out.
Blowout Mtn and Rainier from Goat Peak trail.
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Blowout Mtn and Rainier from Goat Peak trail.
The approach is via forest road 119 which leaves the opposite side of FR 4110 from where we drove up to Cole Butte last week. There is a sign for the turnoff "Trail 1318 2 miles" but you won't get far up the road due to several fallen trees. http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/okawen/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=57415&actid=24 We walked 1.5 miles up road 119 to the official trailhead at 4700' which is not signed and soon entered nice forest on the way up to "Blow Past Peak" which is easy to blow past without noticing this forested bump.
A half dozen downed trees stopped us about 1.5 miles before the trailhead.
A half dozen downed trees stopped us about 1.5 miles before the trailhead.
No sign at the last fork in the road for the trailhead. It starts in a clearcut and soon enters old growth.
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No sign at the last fork in the road for the trailhead. It starts in a clearcut and soon enters old growth.
Don and puzzlr on top of "Blow Past," 5495.'
Don and puzzlr on top of "Blow Past," 5495.'
The Blowout Mtn Trail crosses the Manastash Ridge Trail and then joins the PCT in 1/4 mile after several ups and downs.
Blowout Mtn 5750' and its lower east peak 5556.'
Blowout Mtn 5750' and its lower east peak 5556.'
Trail junction before reaching the PCT.
Trail junction before reaching the PCT.
PCT
PCT
Bowout Mtn from the PCT.
Bowout Mtn from the PCT.
East peak of Blowout and the basin below through which we would return.
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East peak of Blowout and the basin below through which we would return.
Monty on Blowout Mtn.
Monty on Blowout Mtn.
Relaxing on Blowout Mtn, 5750.'
Relaxing on Blowout Mtn, 5750.'
We decided to check out the east peak of Blowout that features a walk along a cliffy ridge and return via the Manastash Ridge Trail. We found many game trails to walk on and there was little brush to contend with. We all agreed this was the best part of the day.
Views north from Blowout.
Views north from Blowout.
East peak of Blowout.
East peak of Blowout.
"Blow Past" and the ridge we ascended.
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"Blow Past" and the ridge we ascended.
Lenticular clouds.
Lenticular clouds.
Small pond below Blowout Mtn and headwaters of Big Creek. This area has so far been spared from logging.
Small pond below Blowout Mtn and headwaters of Big Creek. This area has so far been spared from logging.
Lots of this greenish colored rock near Blowout.
Lots of this greenish colored rock near Blowout.
Puzzlr on traverse to east peak.
Puzzlr on traverse to east peak.
Checking out the vertical.
Checking out the vertical.
Goats below during traverse to east peak.
Goats below during traverse to east peak.
Along the way we spotted some goats walking along the little ledges below the ridge and puzzlr scrambled a spire.
Puzzlr never leaves a pointy thing unclimbed.
Puzzlr never leaves a pointy thing unclimbed.
Puzzlr on top of spire.
Puzzlr on top of spire.
East peak of Blowout, Point 5556.'
East peak of Blowout, Point 5556.'
After reaching the east peak we dropped back to the low point of the ridge and took the Manastash Ridge Trail down to a small pond before ascending back to near Blow Past Peak and returning to the car. Here we spotted a good sized herd of elk grazing in the meadows below.
Grazing elk below.
Grazing elk below.
Looping back along the Manastash Ridge trail.
Looping back along the Manastash Ridge trail.
Stealthily passing by grazing elk.
Stealthily passing by grazing elk.
A large elk cooling off and checking on the others in its group who are now alerted to our presence.
A large elk cooling off and checking on the others in its group who are now alerted to our presence.
Just before most of the herd scampered into the forest.
Just before most of the herd scampered into the forest.
Looking back to part of the traverse and Point 5556.'
Looking back to part of the traverse and Point 5556.'
On the way down we tried to drive up to Cabin Mtn to see how far we could go but found trees down immediately on Cabin Creek Rd north of the junction with Rd 4110. Off we went for the brew pub instead. Another fun day on the "forgotten" side of I-90. wink.gif

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iron
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Joined: 10 Aug 2008
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Location: southeast kootenays
iron
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PostWed Jun 08, 2016 11:04 am 
RichP wrote:
A large elk cooling off and checking on the others in its group who are now alerted to our presence.
A large elk cooling off and checking on the others in its group who are now alerted to our presence.
awesome shot! what a cool little pool.

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Distel32
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Joined: 03 Jun 2014
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Location: Edmonds, WA
Distel32
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PostWed Jun 08, 2016 11:35 am 
up.gif

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Snowdog
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Joined: 21 Jul 2006
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Location: on (& off) the beaten path
Snowdog
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PostThu Jun 09, 2016 9:07 am 
excellent! I loved that pic with the Elk bathing too! up.gif

'we don't have time for a shortcut'
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