|
HIKE |
Kendall Peak |
|
ROUTE |
Normal route |
|
DATE |
08/10/2006 |
|
ATTENDEES |
Don, Chris M, Chris S, Larry and Mark |
|
NOTES |
xxx |
PHOTOS
Photo credits: None.
TRAIL REPORT
A last minute change of schedules brought us this week to Kendall Peak, a chain of several rocky knobs surrounding the Eastern side of Commonwealth Basin near Snoqualmie Pass. Three hikers showed up at Eastgate. Don, Chris M and Chris S. After negotiating rush hour and some speed traps, we arrived at the trail head at quarter to six. We were greeted there by the posterior of a woman who just couldn't bring herself to use the latrine only a few yards away. Larry's empty car was in the upper lot, so we quickly hefted the packs and got underway.
Don lead the way through the forest and several river fords where we enjoyed a total lack of insects. The cooler weather seems to have chased them away. The trail then broke free of the creek and rose to meet the PCT where we turned Northbound toward Kendall. It was a moderate trek of a few miles till we reached a lightly traveled boot path leading to the summit of Kendall Peak. Don spotted the track and we began the steeper ascent through loose rocky terrain. In only a hundred feet of vertical, the wind began to howl, the temperature dropped and a curtain of clouds began to push its way toward us from the Eastern ridge of Red Mountain. We stopped to suit up with jacket and hats. Isn't this August?
Once at the summit, Don found the olive drab metal summit register stamped "mountaineers" on its side. We all registered and began to shout for Larry. He doesn't answer. After consuming some trail mix, we took in the last of the limited views and retraced our steps down from the summit. At the same time, Larry was heading up toward us. He had already been to the Katwalk and was returning. Larry suggested that we continue to the Katwalk while he tagged the Kendall summit and warned us to be on the lookout for a goat. Don and Chris M spotted a male and a female before we got back to meet Larry.
It was already quite dim as we made our way down toward the forest, so headlamps came out early. No views today, but still a very enjoyable hike due to the cool weather and total lack of bugs.