|
HIKE |
Guye Peak |
|
ROUTE |
Normal route |
|
DATE |
09/14/2006 |
|
ATTENDEES |
Don, John and Mark. |
|
NOTES |
None |
PHOTOS
Photo credits: N/A
TRAIL REPORT
Hello, TNAB'ers:
Sometimes, the old truism "that's why they play the game" is applicable to real life. The outcome is always in doubt, even if the evidence points to one conclusion or another. That certainly was the case for Guye Peak. One could be forgiven if they blew this one off as late season filler to Snoqualmie's little brother on a wet, miserable day. However, the hardy few that did make it had a great hike to a unique place, all the while bearing witness to the demise of Summer 2006.
Only three of us were in attendance: Don, John, and Yours Truly. The approach to Snoqualmie Pass was not promising - mostly cloudy skies reached down to fill the I-90 corridor. Atop the higher summits, a light dusting of snow could be seen from below. Pass temps were in the mid-40's as we arrived.
Shortly after 6:00 PM, we were on the Snoqualmie Mountain trail, just like we've done many times before. The threat of rain was tapering off, yet the bushes lining the trail were soaking wet, eager to share the heat-robbing moisture. It didn't take long before my hiking pants were drenched. Still, the steep pitch of the trail had us sweating as we neared the fork to Guye Peak. Crossing to the right and up over the talus field presented some navigation issues, but Don had been to Guye before and was able to keep us on track.
The ascent to Cave Ridge was steep, and plagued with glistening close-grown bush. Now my feet are soaked as well. Every so often, we'd glance westward toward the Tooth and Bryant, where the setting sun, amongst the restless clouds, put on a dazzling light show. Blues skies are nice, but it's hard to beat the drama of fast-changing, season-switching weather. To the east, Red and Kendall seemed so close at hand...
We passed a high tarn, then made the final push to the summit. But we weren't quite there just yet. My summit was actually the first in a series of three summits, with the last (south) being the true summit. The only way to get there was by scrambling the exposed ridgeline, up and down, over to the true summit. To our right, it appeared we could jump straight down to the condos at Alpental. To our left, an airy freefall into Commonwealth Basin. Hmmm. I made a feeble attempt to get to the second summit, but the wet, cold conditions and oncoming darkness forced my retreat. The north summit would have to do for now.
It was sunset when we began our descent (7:25 PM). We were able to go lampless until almost 8:00 PM, when we cleared the talus and returned to the forest. Half hour later, we were back to the cars. So sure, the conditions were a bit wet and chilly. Still, it was an opportunity to hike to a place TNAB hadn't gone before, and quite a place at that! Being denied the true summit, well, that just makes it even more spicy. Rest assured, Guye will be on the list for 2007 - maybe you'll join us then?
Cheers,
-Mark