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HIKE |
Snoqualmie |
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ROUTE |
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DATE |
05/11/2006 |
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ATTENDEES |
Carla, Chris M, Chris S, Drew, Mark and Don. |
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NOTES |
PHOTOS
Photo credits: Chris M.
TRAIL1EPORT
Hello, TNAB'ers:
Enough with waiting for better weather and improved snow conditions, it was time to get out hit a cool peak! The peak in question was Snoqualmie Mountain, arguably the all-time favorite TNAB hike. As it would turn out, it'd be an experience to remember.
Eastgate, 5:00 PM. It's pouring cats and dogs. Are we really going hiking? Oh yeah, baby! Despite the downpour, there's five of us to carpool, and one getting a headstart, for six total: Carla, Chris M, Chris S, Drew, Mark and Don, respectively. Although I'm tempted, I can't really call Carla a newbie. She was on the post-Thanksgiving hike, and showed up late on the Winter Solstice hike. She's a vet!
The drive out to Snoqualmie Pass was dismal, to say the least. It was raining hard through North Bend. As we passed mile post 42, though, a small miracle occurred - the rain let up, then stopped altogther. The weather stayed dry as we saddled up and left the Alpental parking lot. It was 6:00 PM.
It wouldn't take long to realize this wouldn't be a normal hike, especially for Snoqualmie. Snow and route-finding would be a issue from the get-go. Where possible, we'd follow tracks in the snow. But where the trail was bare, snow melt turned it into a creek. The travel was slow, and the temps were warmish, giving one the feeling of walking through glue.
One nice bonus was the waterfall - it was a sight to behold! I'm used to seeing it at a trickle, not at full gush! Shortly after the waterfall, the trail got steep and snowy. The next ten minutes were the toughest of the hike, kicking steps into the hard snow to gain precious toeholds. Heavy boots were a requirement.
After a short rise, we trended left, away from Guye Peak and Cave Ridge. Under a blanket of white, the terrain looked foreign to me. It was until we were on the final ridge run that I realized just how far we'd traveled. Here, we intercepted Don methodically kicking his way up the hill. He had thoughts that he may be alone on this hike! In short order, we scaled the rest of the ridge and arrived on top. It was 8:00 PM. No one ventured close to the obviously corniced edge on this viewless evening.
On the way up, a couple of rain squalls came through, but they didn't linger. The descent off of the summit made up for the sloggish ascent - glissade time! Chris S demonstrated great skill, at times looking like he was waterskiing. Halfway down the ridge, we turned left and made a quick slide to the gully.
This glissade's for you, Matt! :)
The weather held up for the rest of the descent. There was ample light to exit without the aid of headlamps, another sign that summer is coming soon! We were back to the parking lot by 9:45 PM, tired and invigorated all at the same time. Woo hoooo!
Next Hike: Effirenet!
BTW: We're just three weeks out from the legendary Summer Solstice Hike on Granite Mountain - make your plans now!
Cheers, -Mark