|
HIKE |
Dirty Harry’s Peak |
|
ROUTE |
Main route |
|
DATE |
4/21/2005 |
|
ATTENDEES |
Darlene, Dat, Don, Mark and Tom |
|
NOTES |
Snow! |
PHOTOS
TRAIL REPORT
Hello, TNAB'ers:
After last week, it was "decided" that the warm-ups were done, time to do something substantial. That something was Dirty Harry's Peak. So, if you're looking at the schedule on the website, just pretend Rattlesnake isn't there, and you have an idea of what's on tap.
This week, there was a hearty crew of five for the event: Darlene, Dat, Don, Mark and Tom. It's great to have Dat onboard again, after missing the '04 campaign. Equally great to have Darlene and Tom return for another season. Darlene and Dat drove separately to the trailhead (outside the gate), while I joined Don in Eastgate, then picked up Tom in Issaquah. At the Sunset off-ramp, we found Tom carrying a cardboard sign reading: "Will TNAB for Beer". Should've known then it would be quite a night!
At the trailhead, Don and I convinced Darlene that boots would be preferable to trailrunners, since both of us expected to encounter snow at some point. Since we're on the subject...From my 3/13/05 TNAB message: Based on my recon mission this afternoon, snow will NOT be a factor this season, for any hike. Since then, Mother Nature has been doing her best to make a liar out of me (although I still blame Matt's biz-related visit at roughly the same time). Sure wish we had that snow two months earlier! :)
Back to the hike. We started just a bit past 5:50 PM and made our way to the real trailhead. Once on the trail, Don quickly developed a lead, while Dat, breaking off a year's worth of leg rust, fell behind, leaving Darlene, Tom and I grouped in the middle. Around 45-50 minutes into the hike, we reached the turnoff to Dirty Harry's Balcony. A bit later, we reached a clearing where we could see McClellan's Butte looking majestic in the afternoon sun. Shortly after that, a small tree bent over the trail, and from it hung a wood figure that looked to be straight out of the "Blair Witch Project". Dirty Harry's ghost? Only now do I realize - why didn't I take a picture? (And when did we last see Dat?)...
The hike continued more or less uneventfully until we reached the talus field. To this point, conditions had been mild and dry, so there seemed no reason not to take the talus. This is TNAB, right? I knew it was possible to climb the talus, traverse west, and rejoin the trail at some point. Until tonight, though, I'd never done it. At a point that seemed likely, a couple hundred feet below the ridgeline, I led Darlene and Tom westward and into the woods.
Within minutes, the boots/snow issue went from a running joke to full-fledged reality. Protected by the forest, snow lay all around. We were able to hop islands of talus for a while, then the talus ran out and it was trail-breaking time. Although it seemed quite crunchy on top, the snow gave way easily under pressure, and the postholes only got deeper the higher we went (up to 20 inches). At first, we angled to the northwest, then we cut it straight north to reach the summit. We came across several obvious switches on the ascent, but none showed signs of being the trail (ie: no footprints).
Finally, after cutting across yet another switchback, we found the trail! Within ten minutes we reunited with Don, then made our way to the summit by 8:05 PM. The sunset was an indescribably beautiful deep pink. Pics were taken, food was consumed, and all were happy. All too soon, we began our descent at 8:20 PM. Darlene took the lead, and quickly disappeared from view. Fair skies and the coming full moon (this Sunday at 10:06 AM) made it possible to navigate the trail without the aid of headlamps for a good long time.
Don, Tom and I kept the descent at a deliberate plod. Darlene was far, far ahead. I, for one, didn't use my headlamp until we reached the Balcony fork. Back on the road, we all turned our lamps off to better enjoy the faint, natural light. Strangely, a few cars passed us, heading towards the fire training center. At the bridge, Tom spied the glowing embers that had been a raging bonfire near the river's edge. Finally, the gate was in sight. Then, a car came directly at us - it was Darlene! As it turns out, she had to head straight for Seatac to work tonight's redeye flight for Jet Blue. Darlene hustled down the trail so fast, she had time to take a swim in the river to freshen up, then change into her uniform. Hike first, then work? Now that, ladies and gentlemen and TNAB'ers, that is pure TNAB spirit!
It was barely 10:00 PM as we packed up to make our way home, just a little over four hours total on DHP. After all was said and done, it was a great hike. BTW - Dat's vehicle was gone by the time we exited, so we can only assume he escaped the "Witch", hehe. After missing the first week, then last week's calculated tromp up Tiger, it finally feels like the '05 season is under way. Join us - feel the pain, feel the bliss!
Next Week: Mount Si via "Old" Trail
A TNAB classic. Hope for good weather and a perch on the Haystack!
TNAB "REDEFINED": Millions of entries were made this last week, but there's only room to show the best - can you top this?
Those Nasty Alpine Boys (alt. The Nasty Alpine Bunch) - submitted by Damon
ToNight: Another Bath! - submitted by Matt
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There Never Are Breaks
Toe Nails Are Black
R&R,
-Mark