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Sadie's Driver Sadie's Driver
Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 1763 | TRs | Pics Location: Welcome Pass |
Much like the Mariners, we like to shuffle the line-up in our little hiking group - however, unlike the Mariners, this is a WINNING team! What an absolutely fabulous day with some of the best hiking partners - team members included: Tish and the Whippets (sounds like some 70's girl band); John ( just back from his Southwest Canyons explorations); Jim K; and Barb - at clean-up was Gus! Figuring that the snow conditions would still be iffy - and desiring a nice, brown, warm hike, we settled on Tibbetts Mountain outside of Cashmere. Thanks to Wildernessed for his explicit instructions and map - which we just about totally disregarded (at our own peril!) - we couldn't have picked a better day or location. The traffic across the Pass was a snap and we were ready to hit the trail by 9:30 a.m.
Getting started The team Gus and Barb at the start
With no snowshoes, ice ax, microspikes, and limited layers, we made our way first through the Pinnacles of Peshastin.
Some of the rocks at Peshastin Pinnacles More climbing pinnacles . . . and more pinnacles Taking in the views
Once on the ridge, we started to see what we came to see:
The flowers, oh the flowers, they were "OK" -
Penstemmon . . . and more flowers Flowers & Snags Flower Boy Shutter delay Bluebells Spring Beauty Big, sunny Balsamroot One big bloom!
Fields and fields of flowers - ho-hum!
Basically, this hike is just one ridge after another - everything is so wide open, it would be tough to get lost! We had several discussions about which was the right ridge to follow - but we "got it" pretty quickly. And there were views all around - even above!
View toward Wenatchee Planes above Awesome views Our destination - bump in the middle is Tibbetts On the ridge Picnic spot
The ridge is a good leg stretcher - you end up gaining about 3800' - but it has to be perhaps the most pleasant 3800' I've ever done!
Summit route to the top of Tibbetts in the back Last steep section to the summit Tish and Barb coming up A Whippet summits Looking to the Enchantments Jim coming up the last steep stretch to the summit - panorama behind
We got to the summit a little after Noon - just in time for lunch and lounged on the top for quite some time - even watched three hang gliders taking off and soaring above.
Tish, John and the girls on the summit Lunch break on the summit Driver & Gus on the summit of Tibbetts - Mother's Day 2010 Summit meeting Hang glider
Finally, it was time to head down.
Coming down from the summit Coming off the ridge
We didn't see a soul the whole day! In fact, there were NO other cars in the parking lot when we arrived - we were really surprised. Yet, when we got back to the picnic area, it was occupied.
A family outing
A beautiful day to be out enjoying this spectacular place. However, a trip with the driver wouldn't be a trip without a bit of a "challenge." As Tish and I were headed down the ridge towards the final drop back through the Pinnacles, "SOMEONE" decided that it would be much quicker to head down this one ridge and circumnavigate the Pinnacles, avoiding the steep drop . . . . After much poking around and probably some questionable property access issues, we finally made it back to the trailhead BUT WAIT, this little adventure wasn't over! Oh no, we decided it was our responsibility to have a toast to moms everywhere - so we headed to the Icicle Winery in Peshastin - lovely little spot. In fact we hit the mother lode when we saw a load of mothers leaving as we arrived - we knew we were in the right spot! We sat in the sun sipping wine before hitting the road back to Seattle.
8 Miles Roundtrip
3800' gain
Trekking poles were the only gear
No detectable ticks!
And, special me, when I got home I had a lovely little surprise waiting for me.
Flowers for Mom!
What more can you ask for? Wonderful friends and the coolest kids!
Four-paw buddy lets me tag along!
Four-paw buddy lets me tag along!
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Michael Lewis Taking a nap
Joined: 27 Apr 2009 Posts: 629 | TRs | Pics Location: Lynnwood, WA (for now) |
I had no idea it was so dry on the East side already.
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wildernessed viewbagger
Joined: 31 Oct 2004 Posts: 9275 | TRs | Pics Location: Wenatchee |
It''s a nice trip, love those views . We noticed up the Wenatchee - Methow, and Entiat Valley's that the Southern and Eastern exposed areas of the desert foothills were starting to turn brown.
Living in the Anthropocene
Living in the Anthropocene
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TrailPair Member
Joined: 17 Apr 2005 Posts: 1699 | TRs | Pics
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Looks like a fine dry outing. No snowshoes, no ice ax, no crampons/microspikes. The packs must have felt very light
This thing called work is interfering with my play
This thing called work is interfering with my play
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Snowdog Member
Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 1027 | TRs | Pics Location: on (& off) the beaten path |
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Snowdog
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Mon May 10, 2010 8:44 am
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talked me into it- I may head there later this week.
'we don't have time for a shortcut'
'we don't have time for a shortcut'
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Sadie's Driver Sadie's Driver
Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 1763 | TRs | Pics Location: Welcome Pass |
Four-paw buddy lets me tag along!
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BarbE Member
Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Posts: 1153 | TRs | Pics
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BarbE
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Mon May 10, 2010 10:43 am
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The timing for this beautiful ridge walk couldn't have been better.
Temperatures in the low 70's, a cool breeze, blue skies, snow covered mountains, an abundance of flowers and excellent company.
A finish at the Icicle Winery-a most excellent Mother's Day!
Tisha & the girls John heading up more lupins more flower pictures the views, the views! snag & Balsamroot little beauty ridge groups shot ridge walk to summit walking through flower fields Big Jim summit group shot lush spring valley We love her! summit activity leaving the summit snag gate snags/more flowers flowers/mountains Icicle Winery group shot
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Tall Hiker Man Member
Joined: 23 Jun 2006 Posts: 346 | TRs | Pics Location: Cashmere |
Great trip!
For those interested in a somewhat shorter way up. There's an unofficial trail from Ollala Canyon that leads right up to the picnic area you found.
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Highwalker's Daughter Member
Joined: 12 Aug 2006 Posts: 1575 | TRs | Pics Location: Bothell, WA |
Looks lovely - I was already planning on checking that area out after hiking Sauer's Mtn. this coming Sat. so now I'm really glad I'm finally going there after driving by it for so many years on the way to Twisp! Thanks for the TR.
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the Zachster Member
Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 4776 | TRs | Pics Location: dog training |
I love to see reports on new places...thanks! And this is such a nice time of the year to hike around in that area. Way too hot in the summer time! And thanks for the heads up about water for the pooches.
"May I always be the kind of person my dog thinks I am"
"May I always be the kind of person my dog thinks I am"
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