Type E

Trip: Alta 6240' - Rachel Lake Date: 10/9/2012 Trip Report: Headed up with Bruce to due a nice fall summit of Alta. The colors were a tad passed prime but still something to behold. The weather was ideal and we both enjoyed our jaunt. The trails are all in good shape and I would guess that the time is running short to enjoy the area before Winter asserts itself. pictures and a more detailed report here: http://alpinelakesaficionado.blogspot.com/2012/10/alta-mountain-6240.html

Trip: Morpheus 5432' - Anderson Pass Date: 10/2/2012 Trip Report: Finally was able to knock off Morpheus off after a few attempts. We used the North Snoqualmie Road to access Road 57 which we drove to the new end of the road just passed the Bare Mt. Trailhead. The weather was cool as we headed up which didn't last long. The Anderson Lake Trail is in poor shape but with the dry weather is in better shape than I remember. Once reaching Anderson Pass we headed a short ways along the ridge before traversing to a small spine that we crossed at around 4800'. Once on the other side of the spine all that was left was the 1 mile long traverse to the summit block. We traversed around 4900' and slow but mostly easy travel. Once at the summit block we used a gully on the South side. The first 50 feet were easy and then the pitch increased greatly. Thankfully there was plenty of veggies to hang on to. After 50' of steep work we reached the ridge and very easy slopes to the summit. For the return we headed down the gully which was thankfully easier going down than it was to climb. We traversed a little lower and found it to be easier. Thankfully we did find some springs to replenish our water supply. The balance of the trip was trying to out run the setting sun. By the time we reached the road for the 1.25 miles to the car it was getting quite dark. Read a more detailed report here: http://alpinelakesaficionado.blogspot.com/2012/10/morpheus-5432.html

Trip: Granite and Trico Peaks - Date: 8/2/2012 Trip Report: The trail to the junction with Tuck/Robin lakes is in fine shape. The trail to Tuck lakes is badly eroded but easy to follow. Once reaching Tuck Lakes it is difficult to find which is the best way to reach the Robin Lakes trail. I found it easier on my return to stay on the shore of the upper lake. Once on the other side of the lake the climb is a grind with many cairns to mark the way. The going is steep but it was shorter than what I remembered. The lakes are all stil frozen and there is plenty of snow in the lake basin. I was hoping to camp between the lower and middle Granite Mountain potholes but when I saw they were both still frozen I found a suitable site in the Robin Lakes basin. After eating lunch I easily made my way to Trico's summit and watched the clouds wage a winning war against Mt Daniel. After I returned to camp and had dinner the wind was howling and the temps dropped dramitcally. In fact there was fresh ice in the morning. Thankfully I had a very restful sleep sheltered from the biting wind. The morning was spent lounging in the very warm sun waiting for the rest of my group. A single male goat spent some time waiting for me to leave. In order to save my gear from the goats I packed up and moved on the tha base of the climb for Granite. I chose to use the trail that traversed high above the highest of the Robin Lakes. About halfway up I caught sight of the rest of my group so I pushed the pace to the summit and back again. After meeting up I decided that I better get back home and we parted way. Read a more detailed report with pictures here: http://alpinelakesaficionado.blogspot.com/2012/08/granite-and-trico-730-31-2012.html

Trip: Boojack 6789' - Blackpine Date: 7/18/2012 Trip Report: I was looking for something on trail and with some decent vertical. I had been up Bootjack a couple of years ago and remember the trail as being efficient and pleasurable. That trip I was forced to ride my bike 5 miles from the washout to access the trail. This year the road has been fixed and I was able to drive all the way saving much time and aggravation. The trail starts about a 1/4 mile before the signed Jackpine trailhead. The trail is easy to spot if you are looking for it although it is not signed. I left a little later than I would have liked but I still had plenty of time. I was concerned for the predicted afternoon thunderstorms. I left the ice axe and crampons lessening the chance of being struck my lightning. If the weather looked safe I had hoped to make my way along the ridgeline to Highchair. The weather was dry but recent rains made some of the brush lining the trail wet, but worse was the humidity but since the temps were lower is was quite pleasant. The trail joins the Jackpine trail and to your left is a junction with the tread to Bootjack. The trail is in great shape and the grade is efficient in the dispatching of the 4000' of climb to the summit. I just kept a moderate pace and soon I broke out on the ridgeline in a beautiful ghost forest. I stayed on the trail until I reached a small saddle with a perfect view of the summit above me. I left the trail following the ridgeline to the summit. I had no issues with making the summit which is a wonderful regional viewpoint. I relaxed for some time carefully watching the brewing thunderstorms in the area. I searched for the summit register that I had left on my last visit but was unable to find any register. I assessed the route to Highchair and felt I could make it there and back in 2 hours. I wasn't quite sure about being able to outrun the thundershowers that were drifting my way. I was caught on a ridgeline once in a thundershower and I desperately wanted to avoid that happening again. I decided to prolong my summit stay instead. On my previous summit of Bootjack I had really pushed the pace on the descent because of the great tread and was able to descend the 4000' in just over an hour. This trip I was not so aggressive and still was able to make the round trip in 5 hours. The day was a perfect fit for what I needed for this day. Approx 9 miles 4000' of climb 5 hours car to car Report with map and pictures here: http://alpinelakesaficionado.blogspot.com/2012/07/bootjack-6789-71812.html

Trip: Lumiere Ridge 5651' - Date: 6/26/2012 Trip Report: On a day that felt much more like November I used the Steven's Pass ski runs to the ridge line. I dropped from the ridgeline to the Mill Creek valley and did a descending traverse until I reached an interesting gully that I used to reached Lumiere Ridge. The way to the summit was guarded by Power Outtage Peak and It didn't look inviting. I backed down the gully and continued my way to Lake Susan Jane. The going was straightforward and soon I found myself at the still frozen lake. I headed South up the steepish gully and quickly made it to the saddle which had a convienent fallen tree to sit on while I decided on my next move. I tried heading direclty to the summit but was thwarted by a short steep icy area and I instead backed down and traversed further South where I found more inviitng terrain. I easliy reached the summit ridge and found it half melted out making an iteresting mix of scrub trees, large rocks and snow. I left my crampons on an was able to reach the summit in short order. I quickly tagged the summit and then retraced my steps back to my approach gully. I had some fear about descending the gully but it ended up being surprisingly straightforward as I quickly make my way to the bottom. I followed my footprints and soon reached the climb back to the ski areas. After taking off my crampons I glissaded down the ski slopes making quick work of the descent. Still a ton of snow many areas still holding of 10' of snow. Read the entire story and a few pictures here: http://alpinelakesaficionado.blogspot.com/2012/06/lumiere-ridge-5651-62612.html

Trip: Johnny Peak 6294' - Johnny Creek Campground Date: 5/1/2012 Trip Report: Looking for drier weather Fletcher and I headed East. We did indeed find nicer weather. We headed up the distinct ridge above the Johnny Creek Campground on the Icicle Creek hoping for a summit of Big Lou. The route itself was great for reaching the ridge but the 2 miles to the summit didn't seem likely in our allotted time so we instead stayed on our ridge until we intersected Icicle Ridge. Once we realized the point to our East was a bit higher we headed there. The views were amazing and I was quite pleased with the route. He can read a more detailed report along with a route map and some pictures here: http://alpinelakesaficionado.blogspot.com/2012/ 05/johnny-peak-6294-5112.html

Trip: Haystack Mt. 2715' - Date: 3/8/2012 Trip Report: Bruce and I headed up Forest road #62 a few miles East of Goldbar. We followed the well traveled Road for just over 4 miles and parked just past the concrete bridge crossing Proctor Creek. There is a gated spur road that is plowed making for easy walking. We followed this road until the the point the plowing ends and switched to snowshoes. The sun was warm and at this point we had shed most of our layers of clothes. The snow was deep and unonsolitated in the shade and heavy and wet in the sun. We reached a spur road just before the saddle and headed North. The road was dotted with small trees making for annoying walking. Once we reached more mature trees we headed West up the slope. The snow was much better in the trees and soon we found ourselves at the sun drenched summit. We had hoped to continue on to 10-4 Mountain to the SW but the heavy wet snow stopped us at the new bridge of Duffy Creek. Read the full report here: http://alpinelakesaficionado.blogspot.com/2012/03/haystack-2715-3712.html

Trip: Monahan Mountain 3775' - Date: 2/13/2012 Trip Report: A suprisingly nice day to be out: http://alpinelakesaficionado.blogspot.com/2012/02/monahan-mountain-3755-p1355.html

Trip: McDonald Mt 3570' 2190'P - Northern Date: 2/4/2012 Trip Report: an interesting day to be out: http://alpinelakesaficionado.blogspot.com/2012/02/mcdonald-mountain-3570-2190p.html

Trip: Squak Mt. - long way route Date: 1/19/2012 Trip Report: An interesting day to be out http://alpinelakesaficionado.blogspot.com/2012/01/squak-mt-long-way-route-11812.html

Trip: Arrowhead Mt. 6030' 1.11.12 - East Ridge Date: 1/11/2012 Trip Report: A great day to be out with a great group of guys: http://alpinelakesaficionado.blogspot.com/2012/01/arrowhead-mt-6030-571p-11212.html

Trip: Mudbog Hill 1250' 500P' 1.2.12 - Date: 1/2/2012 Trip Report: This may or may not be a fictional account of today's escapade. http://alpinelakesaficionado.blogspot.com/2012/01/mudbog-hill-1250-500p-1212.html

Trip: Little Peak 3440' 600' 12.28.11 - Date: 12/29/2011 Trip Report: A very soggy day out: http://alpinelakesaficionado.blogspot.com/2011/12/little-peak-3440-600p-122911.html

Trip: Lizard Lake Pt. 4120+ 12.13.11 - Date: 12/13/2011 Trip Report: A nice day to pound out some miles: http://alpinelakesaficionado.blogspot.com/2011/12/lizard-lake-pt-4120.html

Trip: Bluebirds on Snoqualmie 6278' - Date: 12/6/2011 Trip Report: A simply fantastic day spent with great company: http://alpinelakesaficionado.blogspot.com/2011/12/bluebirds-on-snoqualmie-mt-6278.html