[TR] North Twin Sister - West Ridge 7/6/2008

[Mike]

Trip: North Twin Sister - West Ridge

 

Date: 7/6/2008

 

Trip Report:

As we were driving in along Mosquito Lake Road, we noticed that the gate to Daley Prairie was open which would have let us drive all the way to the TH. We chickened out and continued to the usual TH at the bridge over the Nooksack. That gate is now welded shut with big concrete eco-blocks to further prevent access.

 

We started out at 8:45am under overcast skies, riding and mostly pushing our bikes uphill. When we got to the turn-off at 2.5 miles, we were amazed to see this massive, new road coming in from the right (replacing the old road) and continuing on to the quarry. We turned right on the new road and pedal our way to the new bridge which crosses the creek at the same spot where the old road crossed. From there you continue on the original road to the TH, although there's a lot of saplings blocking the way. Somebody had parked on the road near the old, rotting log confirming that at least some people are driving in.

 

The ridge was in great shape and we hit the summit around 1:45. There are enough rocks showing on the N face that we opted to descend snow about 150' before glissading into the basin. We were in white-out conditions for the whole ridge and summit. As always, the bike ride out was a blast! I hope somebody is climbing the NTS today because in would be perfect conditions AND perfect weather!

 

Does anybody know if the gate to Daley Prairie is now being left open, or is it still hit-or-miss?

 

Gear Notes:

The only thing you'll need is an ice axe for the glissade down the north face. And a bike for the approach.

[Bill_Simpkins]

I'm amazed how much time the road "improvement" saves.

[ira]

Does anybody know if the gate to Daley Prairie is now being left open, or is it still hit-or-miss?

 

when i was there last year we were pondering the same question when this pickup came down the road and stopped. they said it's a good thing we didn't go up there as the sherrif is fining people who do and then there is the potential the gate will get locked (which he proceeded to do).

[G-spotter]

A simple way to make sure open gates stay open is to bring your own lock and lock them in the open position don't get caught doing it though!

[dberdinka]

MikeSomebody had parked on the road near the old, rotting log confirming that at least some people are driving in.

 

Those somebodys have access to a key cause they're special. The rest of us will continue to push, pull and ride our bicycles for the forseeable future.

Edited July 9, 2008 by dberdinka

[glassgowkiss]

Bill and I did FA of that route 2 weekends ago. even though Bill was there a week earlier and there were other people on the route that day, we still claim FA, so don't make any falls claims!