Forum Index > Trip Reports > Lichtenberg Mountain, Union Peak, Jove Peak (6/21/02)
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Randy
Cube Rat



Joined: 18 Dec 2001
Posts: 2910 | TRs | Pics
Location: Near the Siamangs
Randy
Cube Rat
PostSun Jun 23, 2002 10:22 pm 
This one starts along Smith Brook Road just east of Stevens Pass. Specifically, park somewhere close to the confluence of the Lichtenwasser Lake outlet and Smith Brook, elevation 3720 ft. Currently the road is blocked by snow and a large tree at about 3650 ft. We walked the road until we had a clear view up into the Lichtenwasser Lake basin. Here we headed straight up the hill. The way is only medium brushy with snow and we made quick time to the lake in 40 minutes. We reached the lake on its NE corner and contoured along its E shore until we reached the inlet creek where we headed for the ridge above. The lake is completely iced over except for a bit of open water at the outlet. Snow in the basin rages from 3 to 4 ft deep. The S ridge of Lichtenberg is heavily corniced on its E side, but we did manage to spot a gap at about 5640 ft. The ascent to the ridge was straight forward without difficulty and at the top we were treated to great views in all directions. To summit Lichtenberg all we had to do was walk the ridge north to the top, once again no difficulties. From Lichtenberg we had plans to traverse around and over to Union Peak and finally Jove Peak. We initiated a descent towards Lake Valhalla, but didn't like the idea of dropping nearly 800 ft on talus and heather because we would have to gain it all back again and eventually lose it at Union Gap. So, we traversed the ridge to the NW in hopes we could snake our way through the cliffs, but no dice. We returned to the ridge and glissaded back to Lichtenwasser Lake this time contouring around its W shore until we were in line with Union Gap on the other side of the valley. From Lichtenwasser Lake we descended to the NW reaching Smith Brook, this time at 4000 ft. We ascended towards Union Gap and when we reached the obvious basin we headed up hill to the NE until coming to the SE ridge of Union Peak. The ridge walk to Union is easy, that's about all that can be said about it. It should be noted that Union Peak isn't really a peak at all. It is a lump or at best a prominent mound. We struggled to find a high point amongst the trees and before long lost interest and headed off towards Jove Peak visible to the north. A very fast, standing glissade worked well for us along the N ridge of Union "Lump" and in no time we made the gap 800 ft below the summit of Jove. We ascended straight up the obvious summit spine amongst patchy snow until we topped out at 6007 ft. A vast improvement from our previous summit we lounged about on top for a good 30 minutes before returning. Awesome views to the north and Glacier Peak, down to Lake Janus, and west towards Index and Baring. Another standing glissade brought us off the summit of Jove and back to the gap in something like 10 minutes. An extremely reluctant second ascent of Union ensued as we gained our last elevation of the day back up the ridge. Upon nearing the top of Union we purposely went out of our way and passed just below the top of the mound just so we could claim to have summited only once in our lives. We continued down the SE ridge of Union, but instead of retracing our steps, we made a b-line for Smith Brook Road 1200 ft below. The descent down the ridge-line was fast over mostly open terrain. We connected with the PCT spur trail at about 4350 ft and followed it down to the road. The road-walk out went without incident although we did pass over two or three large slide areas that will have the road closed for some time regardless of the snow conditions. Stats for the day were 10.5 miles walked and 5600 ft gained.

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Forum Index > Trip Reports > Lichtenberg Mountain, Union Peak, Jove Peak (6/21/02)
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