[TR] Lillian Ridge High Route - High Alpine Traverse - 9/3/2012

[Fairweather]

Trip: Lillian Ridge High Route - High Alpine Traverse -

 

Date: 9/1-9/3 2012

 

Trip Report:

Ok, a year after the fact, but I never posted this one as I was too busy to write it up last year. In any event, it was a September trip and I imagine conditions are similar right now.

 

Greg and I did this traverse--another one of the routes listed in the Olympic Mountains Climber's Guide--and it is a very nice three day XC adventure. The trip begins at the Obstruction Point trailhead, but leaves the trail as it traverses over the Moose, descends to the headwaters of the Lillian River just beneath the now-gone Lillian Glacier, and then climbs to Lillian Lake. From the lake, the route follows an abandoned boot path into a born-again perennial snowfield, traverses beneath McCartney Peak, travels along a beautiful flower-covered ridge, and then skirts into Cameron Pass. From the pass, we dropped down the trail to Cameron Basin, dropped further into Cameron Creek Valley, climbed 3000 feet over Grand Pass, gave it all back by dropping into Grand Valley, then climbed another 3000 feet or so back to Obstruction Point. The trip loses and gains about 8700 feet. The route finding is generally easy, and the views of Olympus and the Eel Glacier on Mount Anderson are incredible. Anyway, here are some pictures:

 

 

Lillian Lake Basin:

 

 

 

Snowfield above the Lake:

 

 

Behind McCartney Peak:

 

 

 

Mount Olympus:

 

Cameron Pass:

 

Mount Anderson, West Peak, and the upper part of Eel Glacier:

 

The Euro-trail down into Cameron Basin:

 

Cameron Basin:

 

 

Looking across the valley to Grand Pass:

 

Cameron Glaciers:

 

Grand Valley:

 

Gear Notes:

Ice Axe useful above the lake. Also, if there were snow below Cameron Pass an ice axe and crampons would be essential. Luckily, it was bare for us this time.

[ivan]

sorry, can't be an official olympics high traverse tr w/o a picture of a bear

 

looks a gentle n' glorious gambol

[Fairweather]

No bears this time, but as we entered the lower meadows of Cameron Basin we did happen upon two young nymphs frolicking in an icy cataract, their boots and clothing strewn haphazardly alongside the trail. Sorry, no pictures.

[Off_White]

Looks beautiful and uncrowded, thanks for posting this.

[olyclimber]

On a cold rainy fall night, makes you question your priorities. Man, every. single. moment. Summer time was made for this stuff. Good on you for making good use of your time on this rock.