[RichP]

Chase Mountain from Touchet Corral Sno-Park on the western side of The Blue Mountains. A road is drivable to near the summit in summer but I headed directly up the east ridge. Mostly easy waking through sparse forest until hitting the summit road higher up. Snow is still 6-8' deep in shaded areas above 5200' but I never used my snowshoes. A heavy thunderstorm started right as I got back to the car.

Bluewood Ski Area

Middle Point Ridge

Chase Mtn

Hiking the summit road.

Toward Table Rock

Forested summit area of Chase Mtn, 5642.'

Back down the ridge

Sno Park

[Hutch]

Did Mailbox on Tuesday, because weekend crowds moved it to my Never Do on Weekends list. Just a few snowy bits left but short enough that traction wasn't worth it except for training weight. I bet they'll be gone completely by this weekend with the coming warm weather.

[kiliki]

Lewis Butte Saturday. Balsamroot past peak but still gorgeous. Lupine are at peak and smell terrific. The new loop is great--it takes you west though a little forest and a big meadow. And no one is on it--it seems like most people turn around and go back via the east half of the loop.

[Nancyann]

Necklace Valley Trail footlog crossing, May 16

Downstream options used in the summer not much better either…

[Malachai Constant]

San Juan's from lookout point Mesa Verde NP

[mosey]

Blue Ridge near Olney pass got logged within the last few years, giving it nice views south and west in the mile or so of road around the "summits" (how does that work on an undulating ridge?) The real views are at the now clearcut lookout site though, contrary to summitpost's now outdated claim there is a view of Spada from the summit. I ended up jogging a significant amount due to the clouds of bugs that were following me trying to get into my ears, but in the summer this would be best with a bike due to the now extra mileage for a decent view, or best as a snowshoe to the first spur viewpoint. I don't think I'll walk it again. It was too smokey to get any shots, even index was hazy. Somehow I got a ridiculous sunburn through the overcast, though. Figures. 5.5mi/1.2k' gain to the lookout

Hazy index and persis

Vesper, morningstar, sloan

Bare and spada

three fingers

vesper

morningstar

Westward from the summit (very faint Olympics) lookout site on right

[mosey]

honeymoon

independence

someone had a paddleboard but no pump and wanted to raft an iceberg... I'm much more practical

[Bramble_Scramble]

I thought it was weird that they barred off Honeymoon. It's short and seems very stable but the other mine was left open. Actually we had a harder time finding the Honeymoon than the lower mine. The side road to the lower mine has gotten very overgrown since the first time I went to the lake in 2010 and I think most people miss it. The connector trail between the memorial and the waterfall trail has also gotten very rough since the first time I went there.

[Nancyann]

Took a quick trip up the West Fork Foss Trail to the snowline at 3,600 feet yesterday afternoon. Deep snow still covers the trail just past the footbridge crossing.

Waterfall crossings before the footbridge.

We were surprised to not see anyone else on the trail, but on the way back the holiday weekend campers began trickling in. It was great to see families with little kids so excited about their first backpacking trip of the year.😊

[Slim]

Went up to Loch Katrine yesterday to checkout last year's burn. Fires were mainly in areas that were clear cut but some near the lake as well. Lots of firefighting equipment still present. Nice waterfall near inlet of lake. Lake completely melted out.

burned slope

typical burn area

burned clear cut

hose that ran nearly 1/4 mile from lake to burn area

Gas cans left by firefighting crew probably for running water pump

Fallen timber from burned roots

Other-worldly combination of burned stump and tibetan prayer flags

[ALW Hiker]

[Slim]

The trees to the south of the lake were unaffected but the little ridge to the east was burned and the trees laid down. It's a mess. re:road - yes, it was a slog even on a mild, sunny afternoon. I hope the FS comes back to pickup the fire fighting equipment. Seems like they had to drop everything and high tail it out of there. I may give the Ranger in Snoqualmie a call just as a reminder. ~Slim

[Backpacker Joe]

Hey Chubby, did you park across the road and hike the Phillipa lake road and peel off at the fork that goes left and climb up to the lake? How's that road for electric biking?

[Slim]

[Now I Fly]

Low Mountain. Up via Granite, down via Hemlock Pass. I like this route better than going passed Denny Lake. Walked the road back to the Granite trailhead (3 miles). Snows in great shape right now!

Needed to self belay working down through here.