[Chief Joseph]

We had planned on hiking in a ways on Friday night and camping, but after seeing about 69 cars at the TH we opted to go to a campground about a mile down the road to spend the night. Saturday morning we headed up into Leroy basin to begin our assault upon 7FJ Sunday morning.

Parking Lot

We got an early {afternoon} start and headed for Phelps creek. The multiple water crossings are low and did not require getting wet feet (unless you are a clutz) or disrobing. The insects were not all that bad although somewhat irritating.

we are going there?!?!

some pretty flowers there, heh?

trail 'breakin'

sure were going there?

next time route

company at the camp site

Glacier peak

nice breeze here up high

I only appear tired.

Glacier peak

My first attempt at a 'boot' shot facing N.

view from tent

All in all a great trip, learning experience, and I will do it again!

[Dayhike Mike]

Nice! Obviously great conditions for a fun trip!

[Chief Joseph]

Thanks. The conditions were great, it was no where near as hot as we expected and most of the time there was a nice cool breeze. I gambled and left my rain fly at home. I have a MH tent with a lot of screening so I had a great view of the mountains and later the stars which were simply spectacular. Plus the bugs couldn't get me.

[mtn.climber]

Fantastic!! I gotta get up there someday.

[Tall Hiker Man]

Nice!

[veronika]

Hey Chief, the summit is still to the left. EDIT: My 2 cents below: First off, this was a great and fun trip all in all. However, it was my first backpacking trip so it was equally hell! I admit I have learned alot and I will more than likely say the same thing on the next one. We finally headed up the TH at around noon Saturday. Our original plans were to head up earlier and do Maude one day and 7FJ the next... we figured that there were so many freaking cars Friday night, no need to head up early and get a good spot (they obviously beat us to the punch). We ended up parking about 1/2 mile from the trailhead. By that time, there were close to 100 cars. It was insane. Looking at the TH register thingy, it was obvious where everyone was headed... not our direction. Of course pretty much uneventful up to Leroy Creek. Saw some hikers coming out... the first campground there was almost full so it was smart not to hike in the night before. Who knows where we would have ended up. A patch of Heather? JK. I do have to say that the creek crossing is much better than the last time I was up there.

Leroy Creek 7.10.10.JPG

Leroy Creek 8.15.10.JPG

The slog up Leroy Creek was insanely brutal as always. The flies were quite annoying. Definitely no lack of those. No skeeters until the sun started going down up in the basin.

Leroy Creek turn off.JPG

Leroy Creek Falls.JPG

Chief Joseph On Leroy Creek Trail.JPG

Wonderful trail.JPG

and more trail....JPG

At this point I told the Chief we were almost there .JPG

We decided to set up camp and call it a night. I was going to tackle 7FJ when we arrived but by that time I was already too pissed off at the flies so opted not to. Decided to hang low and enjoy the rest of the evening. 7FJ actually looks quite different than when it did last month as well.

7FJ 7.10.10.JPG

7FJ 8.15.10.JPG

camp (notice my tent is right side out? (yellow one).JPG

7FJ in the front yard .JPG

Alpenglow on 7FJ.JPG

pano.jpg

The next morning we decided to head up 7FJ... I now think we should have done Maude instead. It was worse than I thought it would be. As long as you stay close to the (very sparse) solid rock you will be okay. Of course that is not possible on this mountain.

Like this one. I think there were a few pebbles holding it in place. .JPG

038.JPG

040.JPG

Don't want to get caught in here!.JPG

051.JPG

053.JPG

CLUE! The Ed Miller TSR is under this rock.JPG

Ed Miller Traveling Summit Register

060.JPG

064.JPG

070.JPG

071.JPG

What is this um... flower?.JPG

Back down at Leroy Creek and obviously tired as all helll!.JPG

[Chief Joseph]

Yep, 'twas great fun although I can do without so many loose rocks.

[ajax]

Was that you Friday morning? Did I ask you where you were going, and did you say, "Carne Mtn", but your original plans were the meadow? You look kinda like that guy. We were a group of two guys, one girl. We spent the night at Schaefer Cr. CG and got a start about 9:20 Friday morning if I recall correctly. I was frustrated at the cars in the lot that morning (67 when we started, and some cars were parked even farther out Sunday afternoon, I guess around 90-100 total).

[Chief Joseph]

[ajax]

[wamtngal]

So did you guys head to the summit on Saturday morning or leave the TH for Leroy Basin on Saturday morning? It's hard to tell in your report...a group of us summited around 4:45pm on Saturday. We didn't see a register at the summit of any kind - would have been fun to find the traveling one. Great weekend to be up there!

[Chief Joseph]

Thanks, yes, it was awesome.

[Layback]

Nice work guys. When one is in Leroy Basin looking at SFJ and Maude, Fernow is off to the left. I believe the top of it is visible from the basin.

[Magellan]

Good stuff you two. Ed would approve.

[Chief Joseph]

Thanks Magellan.