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neek
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Joined: 12 Sep 2011
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Location: Seattle, WA |
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neek
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 Mon Aug 19, 2013 8:09 am |
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Look at a map of the Glacier Peak wilderness, and this ridge screams out as something that Must Be Done. A recent report proved that one day would be sufficient, so early Sunday I set out for the North Fork Sauk trailhead (along Road 49 off the Mtn Loop Hwy) and began the loop in a clockwise direction. Getting to the top of Painted (Red) was straightforward; go left at the obstacle at the end of the maintained trail. Following the ridge to Magenta was an easy walk. From there, things got interesting. The east ridge of Magenta involves some exposed but solid scrambling, and I took it really slowly. My tiny pack got in the way a few times and I can't imagine doing it with a heavy overnight pack--maybe folks who do that descend considerably and avoid this section. I tried to cut over to the north side of the ridge too soon a few times, but eventually found the spot. Black was a lot of fun: easy snow and slabs, and the gully on the west side of the peak was mostly solid and not bad at all, despite the horror stories. Coming off the south of Black involved a steep and tedious meadow gully but led to a beautiful basin a cool water slide. Next it was back up to a high point on the ridge, and a ridge walk to Skullcap involving another short but tricky section. The remainder of the ridge was straightforward and pleasant.
 Lots of old growth in this area  Approaching the Summit of Painted (Red) Mountain  Black Mountain, from the summit of Magenta. Last entry in the register was Stefan's 8/4 trip.  Exposed Class 3 downclimb off the south side of Magenta  Gentle snow slopes on the west side of Black  Slabs on Black  A little pool  Rock slide  Some of the rocks on Black are almost white as snow  Looking back at Painted and Magenta from the summit of Black, with Sloan Peak in the distance  I believe this is the White Chuck glacier  Descending south from Black  Pretty basin south of Black  Flower  Butterflies doin' it  From Point 6844 along the ridge. Next up: Skullcap and Portal  Thanks guys for showing the way  Some more class 3, pretty short this time  Water coming off snow to the east  Glacier from Skullcap  Johnson, across the North Fork Sauk valley  Easy from this point  White Mountain, not in the cards for today  On the summit of Portal, still lookin' good  On the way down to the trail  Getting late  From near the top of the North Fork Sauk trail  These huckleberries, along with perfect alpine blueberries along the PCT, really slowed me down  Final shot before entering forest
 Now I Fly, Anne Elk  SpookyKite89
Now I Fly, Anne Elk SpookyKite89 |
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ree
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Joined: 29 Jun 2004
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ree
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Mon Aug 19, 2013 8:18 am |
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Wow, nice! I got this on my list too. I don't think I want to do it as a day hike though.
I hope the bugs are getting better out there. About time.
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olderthanIusedtobe
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Joined: 05 Sep 2011
Posts: 7708 | TRs | Pics
Location: Shoreline |
| neek wrote: | Johnson, across the North Fork Sauk valley |
I was on top of that on Thursday, in the fog. Coming up from Blue Lakes was easy switchbacking thru high meadows. Looking down the side of it shown in your photo (what little bit I could see), the mountain takes on an entirely different character.
Nice photos, looks like a cool traverse.
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BarbE
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Joined: 28 Jul 2006
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BarbE
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Mon Aug 19, 2013 8:56 am |
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| neek wrote: | | A recent report proved that one day would be sufficient |
Only for a select few  but hikers like me with an overnight pack name it The "Pained Traverse" 
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neek
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Joined: 12 Sep 2011
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Location: Seattle, WA |
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neek
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Mon Aug 19, 2013 12:08 pm |
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| ree wrote: | | I hope the bugs are getting better out there. About time. |
Yeah, forgot to mention, practically no bugs.
Thanks for the White Chuck correction; that's of course what I meant.
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Stefan
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Joined: 17 Dec 2001
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Stefan
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Mon Aug 19, 2013 5:05 pm |
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wow. glad that worked out for you!
that's where I left my knife...by accident!
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neek
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Joined: 12 Sep 2011
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Location: Seattle, WA |
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neek
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Mon Aug 19, 2013 5:16 pm |
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| Stefan wrote: | | that's where I left my knife...by accident! |
sorry I couldn't grab it for you! with the minimal pack, there was no safe place to put it without getting holes poked in stuff. you'll have to repeat...
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wolffie
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Joined: 14 Jul 2008
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wolffie
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Tue Aug 20, 2013 10:05 am |
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ice ax? crampons?
Some people have better things to do with their lives than walking the dog. Some don't.
Some people have better things to do with their lives than walking the dog. Some don't.
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neek
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neek
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Tue Aug 20, 2013 10:28 am |
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| wolffie wrote: | | ice ax? crampons? |
Axe wasn't strictly necessary but took it out a few times to look cool and feel more confident on soft but somewhat slippery snow. Always like having an axe for unexpected ice, digging cat holes, fighting off mountain lions, or whatever opportunity for creative use might present itself. The scariest section was definitely the climb down the south ridge of "Magenta". An error there would not be in your favor.
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User-Name
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Joined: 10 Aug 2010
Posts: 312 | TRs | Pics
Location: bellevue |
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cascadetraverser
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Joined: 16 Sep 2007
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You didn`t waste any time on that trip. Well done. The gully section from Magenta is loads of fun isn`t it, fortunately short!
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