Trip: Dakobed/Napeequa Loop - Clark Mountain Trip Date: 07/04/2018 Trip Report:
A few pics from a very scenic 5-day loop through the Dakobed Range in the Glacier Peak Wilderness. We picked it because it was one area neither Andy or I had been to and it had a pretty good forecast. From the White River trailhead, we camped at Boulder Pass, Butterfly Butte, Napeequa Basin and at the Thunder Creek/White River junction. You can connect the dots.
Very sleepy area – we followed animal tracks nearly the whole way but ran into only one group of humans over a holiday weekend. Mostly off-trail travel and even parts of the 'trail' were pretty schwacky. A great trip through classic North Cascades terrain.
On the trail to Boulder Pass, near the Sheepherder Trail takeoff
View from Boulder Pass into the reclusive Napeequa Valley
Walrus Glacier on Clark Mountain, in great early season condition.
Clark summit with Dakobed
Clark from Butterfly meadow camp. We descended the Richardson Glacier on the left
Looking up the Pilz basin, Luahna up there somewhere....
Butterfly Camp with Buck Mountain in the distance
Heading out of Butterfly camp to sidehill to Napeequa Basin
Napeequa basin, very austere
Freeze dried ice cream bar - Oh yeah!
Climbing to the pass at 7750'
Descending through the fog into Thunder Basin we spooked this nanny with her kid tucked behind. Pretty sure Andy was going to get gored for this photo! One piece of advice: Do not attempt this descent without the Routes and Rocks beta!!
Thunder Basin with Tenpeak up on the ridge (maybe net time). Waterfalls everywhere and much lusher than Napeequa basin.
Just in case you get the idea it was all lovely alpine rambling....it was not!
Some big trees in the White River valley, ferocious skeets too.
Gear Notes:
Usual backcountry and glacier gear, beta (topos, Fred, Routes and Rocks). White cotton dress shirts provide stylish protection from sun, brush and bugs. Bug hood came in handy too. Approach Notes:
It's all approach really