Serious question regarding Cinderella

[Mr._Natural]

AA and I are (most likely) going to try Cinderella in the Twin Sister tomarrow. A tr was posted awhile ago but the approach was not really specified. So, is it best to go via Baker Lake, or via Hamilton through the private logging area. If it is the second option, what is the deal with gates? Are there certain times when you can get through? Best way to get to the base of the route? Thanks for the help.

Mr. Natural

 

[ 08-16-2002, 10:12 AM: Message edited by: Mr. Natural ]

[forrest_m]

Mr. N - I'm not sure how you would approach from Baker Lake, it seems like it would be a long hike. Most of the dirt roads that head up from that road are also logging roads owned by the same company, so you would still need permission and/or a key to drive in from that side.

 

On the positive side, the logging co. (crown pacific, i think) is really easy to deal with. The guard shack in Hamilton is open until 10 pm, so you can check in and get a key (if necessary) the night before. i think it opens at 7 am, as well. When we did Cindarella, we went in that way. The major issue is that the gate up high (about 5 miles before the end of the road) is periodically closed for elk migration. When we went in, the gate was physically open but had a sign saying no entry. We drove in anyway (bad), but didn't see anyone and got out before we got locked in. That was in late september, so this early it may not be elk season yet. Even if you had to park at that gate, if you had a mountain bike, it would be a pretty casual ride up to the end of the road.

 

The other trick part is finding the route. From the end of the road, there is a faint trail up through the trees for a while, then you have to cross a drainage and scramble/bushwack into a rocky basin. From there, you have to traverse and cross over TWO more ridges before climbing to the ridge, crossing the col, and dropping down to the base of the ridge. The route itself is very straightforward - just follow the easiest way. We did it in 2 simulclimbing pitches. Fun and solid; once you get on the ridge, it is all low fifth class on solid rock - no BS 4th class or sandy gullies to deal with.

[AA]

forrest_m!

[Mr._Natural]

Thanks Forrest, I found an old thread that gave that road as the way to go also. Just a few more question: Which direction are you scrambing to get into the rocky basin, straight up? Thanks for the help.

 

[ 08-16-2002, 11:31 AM: Message edited by: Mr. Natural ]

[forrest_m]

Mostly straight up and trending slightly (climber's) left, it's bushwacky scrambling for maximum 200 vert. feet before you break out into open boulderfields. Essentially you want to traverse the west/south face of the ridge (which is a series of open basins) until below the appropriate pass. It can be a bit tricky to figure out where you are.

 

i posted this photo before, it's taken from washington monument ridge to the east, arrow points to the base of the e. ridge of cindarella

 

[Mr._Natural]

thanks alot, we may even have a fightin' chance now.

[layton]

I was sent home once b/c they were working up there and the guy at the gate wouldn't let me pass.

 

CALL BEFORE YOU GO!!!

 

See Beckey guide for the #.

 

Also Beckey's driving direction are confusing. Turn left just before the road that crossed HWY 20. Don't go back over hwy 20, instead, follow your nose to the gate-only .25-.75 miles from the road. Good luck on the logging road. Bring a bike for God's sake.