[mtn.climber]

I definitely wanted to climb something to celebrate my birthday Saturday. Son Derek (rocknclimb) wanted to get up Cannon mountain this year, so our plan was set. Without Enchantment permits, we decided to enter from the NW ridge/Coney lake route, and descend via Aasgard/Colchuck. Veronica found out, and asked if she could join. We started out from the trailhead at 5:30 a.m. The trail starts on the abandoned and overgrown road that goes northeast from the Stuart/Colchuck trailhead. From information I had gathered, we followed it to a giant washout, then headed straight up the hill thru the remains of the Rat Creek fire. There were lots of downed trees and brush to deal with as we gained 3900' in a little over two miles. At point 6475 we connected with the NW ridge and continued upward until we reached a rocky ridge (7989') that would lead us towards Coney/Cannon.

The fun's just beginning

Looking towards Stuart as we headed up

Are we having fun yet?

Mount Stuart

We followed the ridge toward Coney lake. Derek was able to stay higher on the ridge, while Veronica and I dropped to the lake. From there, a couple of steep couloirs aim towards Cannon's summit. Either one works, and we took the one on the right. Near the top, we jumped off the snow onto loose, crumble rock and made our way onto the Druid plateau below Cannon's summit block. We all headed to the large boulder that represents Cannon's high point (8638').

The rocky ridge we traversed as we headed towards Coney lake

Coney lake, and the couloirs that lead to Cannon's summit (right)

Veronica climbing the last few feet to Cannon's summit

Summit block of Cannon

Stuart and Argonaut from Cannon summit

From there, we trended southeast across the Druid plateau, then dropped down to the Lorelei lakelets basin, just to climb back up the other side to Prusik pass. We wanted to descend Aasgard pass before darkness, so we quickly (not really....we were too tired for that) headed towards the upper Chants, reaching the pass at 7 p.m. We made it down to Colchuck lake just as darkness fell. Strapping on our headlamps, we dragged our weary bodies down the trail, finally reaching the cars at 1 a.m.

Goat posing

Druid plateau and Enchantment peak (I think)

Druid plateau and Dragontail

Backside of Prusik peak

Looking at Lorelei lakelets and Prusik pass

Little Annapurna and Perfection lake from Prusik pass

Goat and kid

Thanks to Derek and Veronica for helping me celebrate a birthday I won't soon forget. 17 miles 8706' total elevation gain 19.5 hours

[Jetlag]

Great pics! My birthday was Saturday as well - not quite as memorable as yours! Last year we took the same fire/blowdown route up Cannon as you did, though in June, but chose the infamous Rat Creek exit, lured by a 600 foot glissade. Encountered a valley clearing, half mile long avalanche snarl and wound up bivouacking in an alder thicket next to raging Icicle Creek. Ripped my best gaiters and coat clambering through multiple blowdowns. Walked upstream to the private bridge in the morning, missing work . . . so I'd say your 19 hour epic is a damn sight better!

[Magellan]

I knew I was too sick to pull it off. You guys are hosses!

[Fletcher]

Wow, way to get it done guys! I probably would have just crashed out at Colchuck for a few hours.

[wildernessed]

Nice, it's a worker !

[jcocci]

Wow, glad I decided to to something else as getting back to the car at 1am and having to work in Seattle at 6am would have been not so much fun. Glad you had a good outing.

[summithound]

Nice! My buddy and I attempted Cannon yesterday via the northwest ridge as well. We made it to the ridge at 8,000' but turned around due to time constraints and fatigue. We saw you and Veronica ascending the snow gulley towards the summit around 1:30 p.m.

[rocknclimb]

It was awsome being able to summit another peak with my dad on his birthday. Cannon had been on my short list for some time, and the route didn't disappoint. Some downed trees, rock scrambling, and steep snow makes for a good day Mosquitos were miserable the whole trip, so be prepared if heading that way in the next few weeks.

typical for the first few hours

paintbrush

Stuart dominating the view

Lupine

hiking through the burn

Coney Lk. basin

The gulley we took

looking back down

Coney lake and the ridge scramble (left)

summit scramble

Dragontail, Rainier, Colchuck

Stuart

Veronica on the summit

Druid Plateau

looking toward the lakelets

Lakelets

Goats and Shield Lk.

upper Enchants from Prussik Pass

Perfection

Inspiration

Upper Chants

[Hikingqueen]

What a trip! Love the goats!

[veronika]

WOW! What a day! It was both an awesome and grueling adventure. A very rewarding summit. Here are some more pics. They aren't that great as they are from the phone and the GoPro. I left my regular camera back at the truck.

Bushwhack in the Rat Creek burn area

Heading up through the burn

Stuart

Cashmere

Boot shot from the NW ridge

Coney Lake

Coney Lake

Lunch spot at Coney

Looking up from midway of the snowy couloir

looking back down to Coney

Goat below the summit

Goat approaching. He just wishes I would pee right there!

Father and son enjoying a well deserved break after a successful summit

Overlooking Druid Plateau

Traversing the Plateau

A bit of name that peak

Views from the Plateau

More views

About to drop down to Shield and Mesa-Earle Lakes

Goat and kid on the Prusik Pass trail

Approaching Rune (Perfection) Lake

Approaching Talisman (Inspiration) Lake

Talisman reflection

Goat and kid at "Not Sure" lake in the Enchantment Basin

Traversing Enchantment Basin

Heading down Aasgard

Colchuck

Getting ready to down climb a steep rock face on AAsgard

Had to drop the pack down for this one!

One more Colchuck

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVE!

All smiles!

[Hiker Mama]

Wow, that's just incredible! Great trip!

[like2thruhike]

Sorry I wouldn't have been the best company with my lingering cold. Looks like I missed out.Nice pics looks like you had a great adventure.Nice pic of V with the , Looking back; Would you go the same way? If going solo would you go the same way? That's the easiest line to the summit? The bushwack,was it marked at all?Climbers path?

[summithound]

mtn.climber might have had a different experience as he left the road at the washout. We decided to cross the washout and follow the road to just past the switchback where we turned uphill and began following the ridge. The road is very overgrown in places and presents an interesting challenge of its own. Once on the ridge it was almost entirely cross-country with only some faint animal tracks to follow. I can't comment on the easiest line to the summit as we only made it to the northwest ridge at 8,000'; however, my second attempt will likely follow the same route as my first. For a solo climber I think your main worry would be twisting an ankle in fire debris. I've heard rumors that the ridge scramble can be a bit spicy but it doesn't go without its solo ascents. We did encounter four backpackers on the way down who planned to camp at Coney Lake. One of them had dropped his wallet (if you're reading this we didn't locate it).

[ONELUV1]

Congrats team! Looks like you all enjoyed the day. Happy belated Dave! bruce: I did the same route a couple of years ago and went w/ a gentleman who had been up there several times prior. yes, yes, yes, pure schwack!

[LukerBee]

That looks awesome. I wanna go. I've heard that is a very tough day - nice work.