|
HIKE |
Mt Persis |
|
ROUTE |
Straight up! |
|
DATE |
5/26/2005 |
|
ATTENDEES |
Mark, Joan, Larry and Dan |
|
NOTES |
We had to go hiking on the hottest day of the year! |
PHOTOS
TRAIL REPORT
For the first time since 2003, TNAB did a Hwy 2 hike! And no, it wasn't Lake Serene, but Mt Persis, the first significant peak on the southside of Hwy 2. Persis shares the same ridgeline with Mt Index. Now, there's a reason for avoiding Hwy 2 hikes - the traffic is terrible, especially in the afternoon! Still, four of us gutted it out for a TNAB first hike up Persis: Dan, Joan, Larry, and Mark. We met in Woodinville at 4:30PM (or so), with Larry taking on the task to fight rush hour. Thanks, Larry!
Anticipating a long ride out, I brought some Sprites and Triskets for the occasion. The Triskets were accepted, but the Sprite was not. Fine, more Sprite for me! Sure enough, we hit traffic, bumper-to-bumper. Did I happen to mention this was a record-setting warm day for the Seattle area? Highs were in the mid to upper 80's, a far cry from last week's snowy ascent up Snoqualmie. So it's hot, and we're stuck in traffic. Apart from an encounter with a maniacal cement truck driver, though, we survived rush hour unscathed and slowly made our way past Monroe, heading for the hills.
Sometimes, you have to pass many hurdles to get to the promised land. For this night, that was certainly true. We finally left Hwy 2 and took a right onto FR 62, which is a couple miles past Zeke's. Here, I finally let on that we still had some driving to do - up and up the logging roads. By the second left turn, the TNABmobile was not happy and threatened to overheat. A mile or so from the trailhead, we stopped to let the good car rest, and ply it with more water. At last, we climbed the last bit of road, dodged the muffler-killing rocks, and arrived at the trailhead around 6:15PM. Fortunately, Larry was not forced to drive with the hood up...
As mentioned before, it was a very warm day. We quickly got our gear together and set off on the hike by 6:20PM. Unlike many TNAB hikes, there is no nice warm-up quarter mile on this hike - Persis starts off steep, and stays that way for quite a while. The route basically runs the ridge from the west all the way to the top. No one was having fun on this punishing first half of the hike. Although we spread out to match our individual paces, we periodically stayed within shouting distance to make sure the group navigated some tricky spots (talus fields, etc).
Finally, the terrain began to decrease in steepness, and the views began to unfold. The drive up had been through one clearcut after another, but up high and looking west, there is nothing to obstruct the view from Persis. Puget Sound, the Olympics, and all the rest were on display, glittering in the early evening sunlight. The pain and suffering of getting to this point was beginning to pay off! After a false summit, we dipped down on the ridge and traversed a clearing that lead to the base of our destination.
This was my third trip up Persis, but my first time without significant snow (previously ascents were in February and March). Before, I would cross the clearing and bushwhack straightaway to the summit. Although patches of snow still lingered, a bushwhack was not possible. Instead, we continued to traverse under the summit, then start heading north where the trail or opportunity afforded access. We passed a small lake, halfway thawed, and continued upward. For a while, it seemed that the summit would never show, seemingly always just beyond the next stand of trees or outcropping of granite. Yet, we persevered and gained the summit just after 8:00PM.
For all the struggle and hardship it takes to summit Persis, it is worth it. Personally, once I'm there, I don't want to leave. Rainier, and even Adams, were to the south. Glacier Peak stands front and center to the north. Back aways and hidden by Pilchuck (I think) is Baker. And that's just the major points - ten times as many other peaks are in clear view, with close-ups of Index and my favs, the Gunn-Merchant-Baring trio. Down in the Skykomish valley, you can see Index and Goldbar layed out, watch the traffic on Hwy 2 race by, and hear the train blowing through. Just plain wonderful, I tell ya!
By 8:30PM, it was time say goodbye and start heading home. The heat had dissipated somewhat and a glorious sunset was beginning - perfect, since we'd be descending west all the way back. Several times, we had to stop take pics, throw snowballs, and enjoy the scenery. The perspective coming down gave us pause - did we actually climb up this? Wow! As the sun faded away, the stars came out in the still blue sky, despite the recent full moon. We were able to complete the hike without the aid of headlamps (yeah!), exiting by 9:45PM. We followed up the hike with beer and chips at the Monroe Ixtapa - nice. Everyone agreed: great hike!
Hope to see more of you next time we hit Persis!
Next Hike: Mailbox - need I say more?
TNAB Defined: To Nab Adventurous Babes - submitted by Gretchen. Well, it worked for Matt! :)
Enjoy the holiday,
-Mark
www.tnab.net
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