[wisedamian22]

Hi all, I flew in from Vermont on Thursday 3/2/2023 to make an attempt at Hidden Lake Lookout. Once landing, I stopped into REI to pick up a few last minute essentials (ice axe and avalanche shovel). I made my 2 hour drive out to Cascade River Road up to MP6,. Drove thru the road closed signs until I reached the portion of the road where the large fallen boulder blocks the remainder of the road. I drove around the boulder and parked on the other side of it before making my trek to the hidden lake lookout (Winter Route) trail head. I departed from my vehicle at approx 6PM and snowshoed my way to the trail head. Deep snow was encountered along the way (~3'). I got about 7 miles in and heavy snow fall began to accumulate to the point where I felt that I needed to set up camp. I set up camp during this heavy snowfall by digging a cave to put my tent for the night. My Hope's where that the weather would pass by morning time so that I could continue my ascent. Morning time rolls around and there is still substantial amounts of snow fall accumulating. I heard a few trees fall due to the weight of snow (I assume) in the distance. Everything in my tent was soaking wet due to the condensation and weather conditions. I decided then that it would probably be best to hike back down and find other activities to do for the remainder of my time in Washington. I packed up and departed the site at approx 8:30AM. I encountered numerous trees that had fallen on the road leading up to the trail head that were not there the night prior on my ascent up. I made it back to my vehicle at approx 1PM to find that it was blocked in by snow. I had no service and was extremely exhausted at this point. I attempted to turn my rental vehicle around in the snow but got stuck almost instantly. I then grabbed the shovel that I purchased last minute to dig myself out and then dug enough snow out to create a turn around point to get out. I dug what I thought was enough but then got myself stuck again. I then took a 30 minute break to make myself some lunch (Mountain House - Beef Stroganoff - my absolute favorite meal) pounded down my summit beer and then continued to dig. Took 2 hours to dig enough out for a good turn a round spot. Finally, for the moment if truth. I got the car turned around and made it around the fallen boulder onto the other side of freshly powdered road and carefully made my descent down to maintained road. I then got to spot with decent cell reception and notified the family that I was safe. Then I booked a hotel near Mt. Rainier and made the 4-hour drive there. I'm currently testing up to hopefully get some hiking in on Rainier tomorrow and possibly squeeze in a trek up Mt. St. Helens on Monday. Might try to squeeze in some backcountry riding before I leave on Tuesday. This was my second attempt to hike to HLL in the last 3 months. I booked a trip to go up over Christmas but had to make other arrangements due to weather (flights to Seattle were canceled due to storm). Then of course this attempt. This attempt was also due to weather and lack of time to properly ascend this route. I'll be taking a third attempt in either summer or fall this year (hopefully without opposing weather conditions) to finally complete this route. I did have a good time and enjoyed the fact that I was off the grid for a good 24hrs. Just me against nature. It was a challenge but it's not yet completed. I hope to one day be able to ascend the winter route. The views on a clear day in the winter look mesmerizing. See attached photos of my trip. Nothing really to report other than a few fallen trees on the road up to trail head. I'll be back.

[zimmertr]

Thanks for posting, sorry about the unwelcome introduction to the community. Glad to have you. Beef Stroganoff is my favorite freeze dried meal too. Come back some time in the summer.

[Kim Brown]

7 miles in 3 foot snow with no one to help break trail is quite a trek. Add all the shoveling, and additional treks at MRNP and Mt St Helens would be a no-go for me. Actually after the first half hour of your trip, the rest of it would have been a no-go for me. Except for Mtn H Beef Strogonoff; of any of those pre-packed foods, that one is a good one and it's the only prepackaged one I ever have on hand when too lazy to make my own.

[Chief Joseph]

Nice attempt and as long as you return safely it's always good to get out. Was that a rental car and non AWD I assume?

[Huron]

That's some serious determination! Thanks for the report and photos.

[Bootpathguy]

Thanks for the report & the entertainment on the other thread. My suggestion is to go in mid July Once you get to the top, the adventure does not end. It just begins, if you want it to https://www.nwhikers.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8024855

[zephyr]

Thanks for the trip report and the photos. That was a lot of work. 'Glad you made it down safely. May the rest of your trip go well.

[uww]

MSH on a clear winter day is hard to beat. Hope it works out for you. Thanks for the great threads.

[zimmertr]

[BigBrunyon]

Beef stroganoff is decent as a mountain house meat main but I personally recommend the BEEF MAC for a true MEAT MAIN experience

[Chief Joseph]

[Kim Brown]

Remember that poor guy several years ago, whose rental was stuck on the other side of a sudden road washout for months on the Hoh River Road and Avis charged him late fees? They finally waived them, after public outcry.

[reststep]

I thought we might have a topic here about the car on the Hoh but anyway here is a link to an article in the Peninsula Daily News. https://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/stranded-cars-recovered-from-hoh-river-road-exile/

[wisedamian22]

Hey all! Thanks for the kind comments. Update: I was able to catch Rainier on a good day. Rented a set of snow chains and got up there around 11AM. Hiked in and set up shot to have some lunch. (You guessed it - Beef Stroganoff) I left Rainier around 1PM and set my sights on Mt. ST. Helens. I booked a cabin 20 minutes away. My goal was to summit this mountain today. However, there was another storm blowing thru I assume and did not give the conditions I felt like hiking in. Since I'm flying out tomorrow morning, I booked another ABNB in Seattle. I made my drive there and found some other stuff to get into. I rented a Lamborghini for 2-Hrs and tore it up around Seattle for a bit. This place has been wonderful but now it's time to make my way south to warmer weather. MAHALO🤙🏻

[Chief Joseph]

Cool. It's not often that one eats a Mountain House dinner one day and drives a Lambo the next!