Forum Index > Trip Reports > Wild Dare 2023-02-11
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neek
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Location: Seattle, WA
neek
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PostTue Feb 14, 2023 8:02 pm 
"Wild Dare" sounds like a peak name that might have been conceived of at a frat party, but no, I think it's named that because it hovers above Wildcat and Derrick Lakes. I teamed up with Selena, Brenda, and Jamie to endure this obscure bushwhack that must be on some list or other. Actually, it was a lot of fun, maybe Type 1.75, and with great company. There are a few reports here, some from the north like we did, and others from the longer Snow Lake approach, but nothing that I can find from winter, although snow conditions don't look too terribly different from the May/June reports. The unpaved portion of the Middle Fork road was a delight as always; high clearance recommended. We parked at the Dingford lot, took the trail down to the river and turned right on the Middle Fork trail, then in a minute or two just headed straight up the ridge. It was fairly pleasant at first, not too steep or brushy. However, things soon got a little nasty, steep forest with a bit of blowdown and some cliffy bits to work through between 2000-3000', but nothing too difficult or scary. Snow started around 3000', can't remember exactly, and was not quite deep enough to make for safe travel across a talus field, so we skirted it. We heard it was best to leave the ridge and traverse at 4200', so we did that for what seemed like a long time but was only half a mile. Soft fresh snow on a harder layer made snowshoeing a bit annoying, requiring some more aggressive kicking at times to avoid sliding, but it could have been worse. Eventually we started heading more up than across, and made the final summit approach from the east. Breaking trail was a chore, and we took turns. It was sunny and pleasant at the top, with good views in most directions. You are pretty close to the main Snoqualmie peaks here and have a good view of Lemah, Chimney Rock, Big Snow, etc. Some of these peaks were a bit obscured by clouds but ours stayed clear. Caroline Peak was a stretch goal, but Wild Dare took so much time and effort that no one questioned saving it for another day. Maybe when the snow is a little firmer and days longer. For only 7 miles and 4000' gain, this excursion was surprisingly draining. Really makes me marvel at some of the more epic trips some folks have been doing this season.
Middle Fork Snoqualmie
Middle Fork Snoqualmie
(photo by Brenda)
(photo by Brenda)
(photo by Brenda)
(photo by Brenda)
Big tree
Big tree
Cool lichen
Cool lichen
Watch out for holes
Watch out for holes
Steep snow (photo by Selena)
Steep snow (photo by Selena)
(photo by Brenda)
(photo by Brenda)
Sidehilling (photo by Jamie)
Sidehilling (photo by Jamie)
What makes these?
What makes these?
Breaking trail
Breaking trail
Chimney Rock
Chimney Rock
Almost there (photo by Brenda)
Almost there (photo by Brenda)
Lemah, Chikamin
Lemah, Chikamin
Bears Breast, Summit Chief, Overcoat, Chimney
Bears Breast, Summit Chief, Overcoat, Chimney
Big Snow
Big Snow
Enjoying the summit (photo by Jamie)
Enjoying the summit (photo by Jamie)
Summit view (photo by Brenda)
Summit view (photo by Brenda)
Garfield
Garfield
Going down a big log (photo by Brenda)
Going down a big log (photo by Brenda)
(photo by Brenda)
(photo by Brenda)
(photo by Brenda)
(photo by Brenda)
(photo by Selena)
(photo by Selena)

ALW Hiker, contour5, ChinookPass, jaysway, Bluebird, mosey, puzzlr, LukeHelgeson, SeanSullivan86, Fedor, Bramble_Scramble, RichardJ, Tom, zimmertr, Mesahchie Mark, williswall, awilsondc, John Mac, RichP, Now I Fly, Eric Gilbertson
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Bluebird
suffering optional



Joined: 22 Jan 2014
Posts: 199 | TRs | Pics
Location: United States
Bluebird
suffering optional
PostTue Feb 14, 2023 8:20 pm 
What a fun not quite type 2 day, I haven't fallen on my butt and laughed so much in a while!

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raising3hikers
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Location: Edmonds, Wa
raising3hikers
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PostTue Feb 14, 2023 8:43 pm 
Very nice winter summit! Thanks for sharing

Eric Eames
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Now I Fly
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Now I Fly
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PostWed Feb 15, 2023 8:05 am 
Neat Route! Can't wait to try it! Thanks for the report!

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Mike Collins
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Mike Collins
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PostWed Feb 15, 2023 8:26 am 
neek wrote:
What makes these?
What makes these?
Sapsuckers typically make a checkerboard pattern on trees. They will lap up the sugary sap that fills the holes. https://www.spring-green.com/learn/blogs/blog-sapsucker-damage-control/ The sapsucker tongue has bristles on the end that provide an increased surface area for the sap to adhere to. https://www.blog.sawmillriveraudubon.org/the-tongue-tells-the-tale/

contour5, mosey, Fedor, Now I Fly, Tom, NWtrax, neek
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The Ghost of Bear 380
~SJ~



Joined: 15 Dec 2022
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The Ghost of Bear 380
~SJ~
PostSat Feb 18, 2023 1:53 pm 
Great route.... Will have to try! Thanks for the report. up.gif

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