[HikingBex]

[zimmertr]

Yeah Newcastle had pretty bad air yesterday too. Sucks.

[Now I Fly]

Hound pound! Oxbow, Bessemer Rd, CCC, Middle Fork Rd., for the loop. https://www.flickr.com/photos/44468754@N04/albums/72177720303703488/with/52500918734/

[HikingBex]

Melakwa Lake 11/13/2022 Snow from the trailhead with a nice bootpack all the way to the lakes. Only slippery part was in the first mile-ish where the snow was really compacted and had melted & refrozen a bit, but I never put on microspikes. Denny Creek was low enough that we just walked across in mountaineering boots at both crossings (the log at about 2.5 miles in was a little treacherous with snow on it). The sun dipped behind Low Mountain at about 1:30pm, and that was the last of our direct sunlight for the day! So fun to do this trail covered in snow & without the summer crowds - only saw about 10 people all day. Absolutely beautiful day to be out!

[mosey]

Amazing weather window, snow is fairly icy and consolidated with 1-2cm of hoar and lots of wind scoured areas up high.

lemah

kaleetan

7 labels

Crest

lunch break

[Malachai Constant]

Back in the USA recovered from Covid. First trip to Snow Lake this year fairly crowded (suprise). Incredably beautiful blue bird day some wind easy with spikes.

[Nancyann]

Another post Covid recovery hike, just an easy walk up the Foss River Trail to Trout Lake on Wednesday. Hardest part was removing part of a log blocking the road. A bit snowy and icy on parts of the trail so I wore Microspikes but Hiking Partner didn’t need them.

Old folks getting it done!

Now we can drive through.

Normally busy lake was very peaceful.

I always hug this tree.

Alpenglow at the outhouse.

[hikergirl1234]

Wright Mountain via Snow/Gem Lakes After being sick with a cold earlier in the week and spending far too much time indoors working, I was eager for a mellow-ish day outside! Beautiful day tagging Wright Mountain via Snow Lake/Gem Lake trail - destination chosen after reading several beautiful TR's on the WTA site. There's well-defined bootpath all the way to the top of Wright Mountain. A special opportunity to explore the area in low avy danger conditions, I imagine conditions, ease of access, and safety could all change quickly after a big snow dump.

Crossing Snow lake's outlet

Views from the summit Equipment: poles were extremely helpful, brought and did not use spikes but my friend found microspikes helpful for a few slippier parts. Stats: RT approx 10.6miles and just shy of 3k ft total elapsed gain, about 5 hours moving time.

[BeardoMcGrath]

November isn't often a kayaking month but this hasn't been an average November. Paddled around the east end of Spada Lake on Saturday. With the reservoir drawn down there were some interesting things to see; I stopped at the Williamson Creek mud flat/gravel plain and explored some on foot. The bridge shown crossing the creek upstream of the lake is still in great shape, although the road on either side is very overgrown. I was surprised to see a faint footpath and pink flagging heading along the east side of the creek along the old road--perhaps a few folks are still headed to Copper Lake? A helicopter did fly overhead going up the creek before returning a half hour later, so maybe some of the mining claims up that way are still active. Back at Spada I briefly headed towards the Sultan River inlet but couldn't make it far with the low water. I did run cross the old bridge pilings of what was an old road from the south side of the Sultan River over to Williamson Creek; I assume this bridge was in place and in use until the dam was raised in 1984, though maybe someone more familiar with the history knows for sure. I'm interested to come back to Williamson Creek now that it looks like the old road is not a total brush bash.

Vesper and Morning Star

Rojo and Red

Like glass

Williamson inlet

Gravel flats of Williamson Creek

Approaching the old bridge

Looking east on the old bridge

Faint trail on the E side of Williamson Creek

Hall Peak overlooking Williamson Creek

Old bridge piling and approach + Red

Old pilings up close

Snags and Hall Peak

[Backpacker Joe]

Frankly its amazing that access to Spada is still allowed. Considering the terrorist threat these days. Its nice to see it again.

[Malachai Constant]

Took a trip up Tiger 1 & 2 today before predicted storm hit no pix. Went to Highpoint East site of T4 up Highpoint to TMT East to Preston Trail. Preston trail to clearcut backtrack on upper bootleg. Cross country to closest tower 3-5” snow on ridge top. Went to WT1 friendly pickup driver on road working on towers. Then over to WT2 and down to K3. Saw a number of trail runners but no hikers. Back down to Marats bridge and back to car 7.6 mi. 2750’ elevation. Afraid it will get a lot harder after tonight.

[Randy]

Ran into you lower down on my way up, one of a few times we've crossed paths over the years

[Malachai Constant]

Did you see mother bear with cubs?

[Kascadia]

Spent a short Thanksgiving weekend in the Oregon high desert. It's been 30 years since we've been to Smith Rocks, climbing back in the day. It's good to see the park service has built trails/belay base areas to support some of the high use routes. What a spectacular place! We did the Misery Hill loop (clockwise) to get some exercise on a cold, bluebird day.

Mandatory monkey

Spent 2 more days touring, it's really fun to spend time in such different ecosystems. The area is enormously interesting for the geological/evolutionary record that is preserved, looking forward to going back. Those colors are real! And the juniper trees.........

[RichP]

I visited the Roslyn Urban forest for the first time yesterday and hiked to the 3760' highpoint, Cle Elum Ridge or Roslyn Ridge depending on your source. I parked at the end of Nevada Ave and took the Crooked Tree Trail up to The Main Ridge Rd to finish up. About 5 miles RT and 1400' of gain. Deep, powdery snow made for tough trail breaking with snowshoes.

trying to not step in ski tracks

I soon veered off to trackless snow

Looking back to my route from the main Ridge Rd

These snowmobile tracks were a welcome relief after knee-deep trail breaking

Bench or hitching post near the highpoint