I'll admit it upfront - this was not my best week, TNAB-wise. I procrastinated, I napped, and I missed the Eastgate meeting. As a result, I had to drive solo and lonely all the way to Snoqulamie Pass in order to catch the group for tonight's hike - Kendall Peak. LOUD R.E.M. music and 80+mph notwithstanding, I did manage to reach Exit 54, find the road, and catch the pack before they set off on the hike. Apparently Drew's b-day party took away most of the new crowd, but still we had eight old-schoolers (plus one) show up:
Amy (Last week's newbie, this week's new vet!), Angela, Chris, Damon, Don, Jason, Larry, Maren, and Mark. Amy also brought ten month old Waldo the black lab (already big, and getting bigger), for a total of ten semi-sentient beings on the hike. Rascal, you have competition! :)
The first obstacle was to circumvent the concrete barrier to the forest road that leads to the trailhead. I managed that, then proceeded up the road. I was told (by Larry) to stay left on the road, but I (being left-handed) envisioned many alternative routes. Still, I somehow managed to find the group. We started around 6:20 PM, hiking up the road a short distance, then cutting off the left side into the brush, heading straight for the Kendall Lakes. Although slightly bushy, it was easy traveling, until we got past the lakes and we were confronted by the ridge. The ridge proved to be decent ascending, but was fairly steep and rugged descending towards the PCT.
The PCT was a breeze in comparison to the ridge. As we approached the turnoff to climb up Kendall Peak, it was barely 7:30 PM, so we decided to hit the Catwalk first (no one appreciated my "Right Said Fred" reference). The steep edges of the "Catwalk" were very impressive, causing random bouts of vertigo within the group. Suffice to say, the middle ground was well occupied...
Soon thereafter, we turned around and attacked Kendall Peak proper. The trail from the PCT brought us to the top in short fashion. The top of Kendall seemed to me to be very similar to the top of Red Mountain (which was impossible to miss from this vantage point) - a jagged, rocky ridge. From there, we lounged around, signed the summit log, and took in the sights of the various peaks that comprise the Snoqualmie Pass region. Don had a name for just about everything tall and pointy. Rainier (my new/old love) was present as always.
We summited around 8:00 PM, and hung around for 20 minutes or so, before the bugs discovered where we were. On the way out, we got to annoy some marmots (one of my favorite pasttimes) and race Waldo down the ridge to the lakes. Yet again, we made it out without the aid of headlamps - Woo! Back at the cars, Amy treated us to a six pak of Blackhook (last week's outro on McClellan's Butte must have left an impression!). The brew and the sunset were a perfect way to end the evening. Well done!
****Next Up: Defiance Peak! Be prepared for a dunk into Mason Lake! Look out for Llamas!
****On Deck: Red Mountain! Come along and view this week's hike from a westerly vantage point. A TNAB classic!
****Overnight, 8/12/04: Melakwa Lakes/Kaleetan Peak. This will be a definite overnight for those who want one (I do!). Alternative will be to hike to the lakes and then head out. Seriously, the the round trip distance to the top of Kaleetan and back to the cars is 12 miles, a bit much for a TNAB hike. Make your plans accordingly - Matt and Gretchen will be participating as well - a TNAB "homecoming"! Come out and wish them well before they tie the knot (cue the Darth Vader music)... :)
See ya on the trail, -Mark
All images and content on these pages are Copyright © 2004 by Dan Scherer. Reproduction without expressed written permission prohibited.