Stegosaurus Butte 2-2-2014

I was looking to bring a friend on a shorter summit trip that would allow us to be in Seattle by noon. This short hike is surprisingly popular among NW Hikers likely due to the high visual payoff and low physical cost. As a bonus I would get a look at the new section of the Pratt River Trail, which we left almost as quickly as we met it. On our way through North Bend the fresh snowline on Mount Si was crisp and clear.


We followed a faint bootpath along the top of the ridge which became more clear as we climbed. About halfway up we were treated to stunning view of Mount Garfield mostly covered in snow. Near the top Mount Bessemer and part of Preacher Mountain appeared.

Paying a High Price for Mount Price: A 14 hour Winter Adventure

I've had my eye on Mount Price since beginning this quest for summits. It's mostly forested Southern slopes stretch 4000' vertical feet above the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River, lending the illusion of greater prominence. While dwarfed by neighboring Big Snow Mountain, Mount Price stands on it's own when viewed from many other peaks in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. A later start time made this peak seem like a more reasonable winter summit trip other options that were on the table. I have read reports of 4-6 hour ascent times with moderate to heavy snow cover but we found having dogs in tow added nearly 2 hours to that estimate.

Most of the snow above 3000' was 2-4 feet of compressed base with a few inches of powder, of course with the occasional sections of icy crust and deep powder. We used microspikes for the top 2/3 of Dingford Creek Trail and snowshoes from the Dingford Creek crossing to the summit, then crampons on a quickly-firming surface during our descent. A few inches less snow would have made the crossing of 2 small fields of large talus too hazardous to cross, especially with dogs.


We left the Dingford Creek Trailhead at 8:30. A few other vehicles were in the lot but their drivers must have been busy on the Middle Fork, as we saw only our own tracks in the snow all day. Snow began on the trail before the rock slab waterfall, and was fairly consistent from the Hester Lake junction on. We considered an attempt at the NW route but with only an few inches of snow at Goat Creek, the longer route past the lakes was far more appealing.


Dingford Creek was low enough to walk across near the trail, but we did use a log about 30 feet upstream on the return. Navigating the snowy route with a half dozen creek crossings took some effort but within 4 hours of leaving the truck we were standing at the shore of Hester Lake with our destination in view behind thin clouds.

Big Snow Mountain 9-14-2013

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The drive from renton was a little rainy, but it let up the I crossed up the Middle Fork Snoqualmie road, which was riddled with potholes as usual. The dingford creek trailhead was about halfway full when I arrived at 3 a.m.

The five and a half miles to Myrtle Lake was a bit of a slog, taking me nearly 2 1/2 hours. The surprisingly high temp of over 60 before sunrise made the 2500' gain a sweaty venture. There is an amazing variety of fungi and shelf along the Dingford Creek Trail. I also encountered several large salamanders sitting in the middle of the trail, all of them seemingly indifferent to my presence.

5-11-2013 Goldmyer Hotsprings

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Last weekend Steffy and I backpacked in to Goldmyer Hotsprings with Ben, Tiffany, and Scott. None of us had been in over six months, and this was Scott's first visit to the Springs themselves so needless to say we were all pumped from the start. On the hike in the weather was ideal and the mountain views were spectacular.


Dingford Creek and Burnt Boot Creek were raging from the recent warm weather, and the Middlefork was easily a foot higher than I have ever seen it . We met the new caretakers and their dog, who left us a nice present at our campsite upon arrival.





Plenty of soaking was had, as usual with no shortage of dong. We were lucky to get the hotsprings to ourselves for a few hours although reservations for the day were maxed out. All slept well and ate well, and we were even able to avoid the wet forecast for the hike out. What a great trip!

First summit of 2013: South Bessemer Peak

I am normally willing to drive over the pass on any day for a better chance at sunshine, but today I kind of wanted to stay closer to home. I've been holding off on Bessemer Mountain until I could get some snowshoes or a bike to add some excitement to the long road walk, so after reading up on the main summit and considering the snow conditions, I made plans to head up to South Bessemer Peak and then to Moolock Mountain before returning to the car.


Snow appeared on the Middle Fork Road before the pavement ends and was steady enough for snowshoes just past the Mining operation about a mile from the trailhead. It rained steady all the way to the summit, never quite turning to snow which meant my rain gear lost nearly all breath-ability. The heavy slush stuck to my snowshoes and caused a few extra inches of sinkage. No big deal, I don't mind a challenge but when I soaked through my last pair of socks and my toes began to go numb a few hundred feet below the summit I decided I would have to return for Moolock another day.


Just like my trip up Green Mountain to the south it was completely socked-in by low clouds and the only short sunbreaks came  just before I returned to the trailhead. I can't complain though because I was blessed with a great vantage point on Russian Butte and Revolution Peak. A fairly uneventful trip and much wetter than I prefer, but I was glad to get out all the same and Automahn got a great workout shouldering through the slush.