Iron Bear Peak

May 23, 2015

Those who regularly hike with me are beginning to realize what my sister learned long ago - outings with me are always an adventure. I'd like to think it's because of my inane ability to keep life interesting, but it probably has more to do with the events of happenstance that seem more prolific when I'm around. Our hike to Iron Bear Peak was no exception...

I was joined this week by Chris M. and my sweet Rottweiler-Lab Mix, Zillah. The adventure probably began with my choice to drive the Mustang on a road described as "dicey in places". People just don't think of Mustangs as all-terrain vehicles, although I am working on re-defining the term 'sport utility vehicle'. I am thankful for that wide wheelbase which made straddling the large potholes possible.

The Teanaway Ridge trail to Iron Bear Peak is located in Eastern Washington, just north of Cle Elum. The majority of the trails I hike are, for no particular reason, on the west side of the state, so hiking on the 'dry side' offers different terrain, foliage and vistas. Teanaway Ridge offers striking lodgepole pine, a smattering of larch, and serviceberry. We timed our hike just right to be blessed by wildflowers galore; balsamroot, trillium, glacier lilies, paintbrush (yellow & orange varieties), and many more I can't name. We stopped at a clearing and were witness to the spectacle of a butterfly ballet. There is no other way to describe it...

We stopped for lunch about half way in, where the trail comes to a junction and splits off into different directions. While eating lunch we admired the industriousness of the ants who were exploring every allowable inch of our packs in search of a meal. (I'm sure both packs were emptied and well shaken to ensure no stowaways). Soon a large, "exuberant" group of young people came up the trail behind us. As they tried to decide which direction to go, we discussed our own options. Initially we decided we'd go whichever way they didn't go ... but they took off towards the peak with enough youthful gusto that we realized their loud chatter wouldn't disturb the peace of our journey. We finished lunch and headed up the trail behind them. Once we rounded the first bend in the trail, we were so glad we did. The view was gorgeous.

The trail wasn't crazy steep, offering instead a steady climb to our destination - Iron Bear Peak. We met up with a few other hikers, and encountered a few motor bikes, but for the most part it was just the three of us on the trail. Zillah behaved good, as she usually does. The summit was reached with little difficulty and our efforts were rewarded with stunning views of the Cascade range, Stuart range, Wenatchee range, Mount Rainier and Mount Stuart. We were able to watch formations of clouds move in and out, playing with the light.

 

The adventure got interesting as we begun our descent down the trail. Those cool cloud formations began bumping into each other with some force, resulting in what I've always called 'thunder bumpers'. Zillah doesn't do thunder, but quelled her panic, focusing instead on getting to the relative protection of the car a little more quickly. Then the hail begun. You read that correctly hail. It was coming down hard and heavy ... and on a portion of the trail without cover - not that lodgepole pine offers much in the way of cover. Chris and I laughed as we were pelted by small marbles, yipping as one would hit a tender spot, then laughing again at the absurdity of it all. The hailstorm lasted roughly 20 minutes and left us as suddenly as it appeared.

A bit further down the trail, the ground squirrels started tormenting Zillah. She could hear them pip-pip-pipping warnings of our approach, then she'd catch sight of one running for cover under the brush. Normally this wouldn't pose much of a problem - except that Zillah's leash was attached to the waist belt of my pack by a carabiner. Zoom! Down the mountainside she darted ... Kristi in tow. Crash! Into the brush she went ... Kristi in tow. I felt like a rag doll. I wish we had video as it must have been amusing to watch from behind.

The terrain and elevation gain/loss of this trail didn't pose enough of a problem for us to haul out our trekking poles (now referred to as lightning rods). I could again feel the positive effects of my mid-week conditioning, as my downhill speed actually bettered our uphill pace. Of course, part of that could be attributed to being pelted by ice...

I think we can put down the hike to Iron Bear Peak up as an adventure of near epic proportions.

Distance hiked: 6.5 miles
Elevation gained: 1900'
Highest point: 5,489 ft

Mt Pilchuck

May 16, 2015

Depending on which trail guide you read (or which set of lies you choose to believe), the trail to the summit of Mt Pilchuck is either 5, 5.4 or  as much as 6 miles and (again, depending on the source) the elevation gain can be anywhere from 2300 to 2600 ft. It is classified as either Intermediate or Most Difficult. All that really matters is that you start an upward trek as soon as you leave your car and you don't stop until you've scaled the ladder to the restored fire lookout at the top. To put it in perspective for those of you who aren't avid hikers, for each city block you hike, you go up roughly 900 feet. That's a climb of 9 stories per block. Looking at it that way, it's no wonder my legs are stiff today!

The trail itself is well traveled, so in mostly good condition, although so heavily-travelled in places that it is overly worn and difficult to navigate. In these places, hikers have begun to go around, causing damage. At about the mid-point of the trail the terrain shifts from dirt and rocks to ... well, rocks.
Lots of rocks.
Lots of big rocks.

 

 

Hiking over large rocks (aka small boulders) is exactly what we need for our conditioning. Fully 2+ miles of our Mt St Helens journey will be through a boulder field where we will be navigating large boulders. Although much smaller in scale, the rocky terrain of Mt Pilchuck tested every muscle group our legs possess, both on the uphill trek and back down. Holly and I maintained an even pace up the trail, and seemed equally matched in speed and endurance on this one.

 

We hiked the entire day through very low, misty clouds. The mist gave an ethereal, almost eerie feel to the trail that made it seem otherworldly at times. We heard some pretty songbirds nearer the trailhead, but the higher we journeyed, the quieter it became - the air instead being filled by the sounds of our own breathing and our light-hearted conversation.

 

 

To actually reach the summit of Mt Pilchuck, you have to scramble up some large boulders (seen in behind me in the photo below), then climb a ladder the last few yards to the lookout. I had to really take care and take my time due to the fragility of my hands, but knew that this workout, too, was absolutely necessary. I will be taxing my hands a lot on the climb to and from the crater. Learning now how to pull myself up and over the larger boulders on the way up, and support my weight for the traverse down will benefit me greatly in September.

 

Once at the top, we enjoyed lunch in the shelter of the lookout. From there, on a clear day, you can see forever. Our weather wasn't quite so gracious - we were able to see less than 100 feet. It didn't rain on us, so we were happy. The clouds swirled around us, dancing to music only they could hear. While there we met a couple of young men who were conditioning to climb Mt Baker and Mt Rainier, which made us feel even better about our choice of trail. We compared notes on trails, shared stories and talked about our upcoming climbs - theirs far more difficult and technical than ours.

After we were rested and refueled, we started back down the trail.

Mt Pilchuck was hiked in its entirety without knee supports, and my legs held up surprisingly well. I was pretty stiff and sore by the time we returned to the trailhead, but on a physical whole, I felt extremely well. Our downhill pace closely matched that of our uphill trek, and I could further feel the benefits of my off-trail conditioning. My confidence boosted, I am ready to tackle the next hike. After I can move without creaking. ;)

Distance hiked: 5.6 miles
Elevation gain: 2350 ft



Annette Lake

May 2, 2015

Some trails are just worth the effort it takes to hike them. Annette Lake Trail is one of those trails, and I would recommend it to anyone in shape enough to tackle the elevation and distance.

I worked out lightly throughout the week in preparation for the hike to Annette Lake, keeping my sets on the stair machine to 100. I have been paying more attention to diet as well, especially the day prior; plenty of protein and water, less caffeine. Since we planned an earlier start, due to the popularity of the trail, I made sure I was in bed plenty early enough to be fully rested. Although these details seem minute in the grand scheme of things, I felt they made a difference in my body's performance.

The trail starts out fairly benign, with negligible elevation gain tempered by a few switchbacks and littered with rocks. Once we intersected the Iron Horse Trail, however, the going got interesting. The terrain became more uneven, the trail strewn with rocks and small boulders to navigate, and crisscrossed with roots. The elevation gain on this trail, almost all 1700 ft of it, comes within two miles - switchbacks helped, but you still knew you were climbing. Although not as steep as our hike up Kloshe Nanitch, it was enough to give us a good workout, especially with the rocks and roots factored in.

Mother Nature had mercy on us. Not only was the weather spectacular, but interspersed along the route were a couple small waterfalls and views of the ridgeline running parallel to us to reward us for our perseverance. The majority of the trail is under cover of the forest, which kept the temperature cool. Just as I started thinking I should throw a layer on, we'd pop out into the warmth of the sun and I'd be good to go again.

Eventually you make it to the lake, which is situated in a bowl at a confluence of ridges, thus surrounded by steep walls of rock and trees. It is crystal clear, and the most beautiful shade of turquoise. This is a perfect place to stop for lunch ... or to catch it, if you brought a pole. That's right, this lake has trout.

After resting, eating lunch and exploring the shores of the lake, it was time to head back down the trail, with a quick side-trip to the back-country toilet. Those are something one just has to experience firsthand. Although I wouldn't say I struggled on the way down, I most certainly felt the strain in my knees and quads. Even my hips were making themselves known by the time we again reached the Iron Horse Trail, but with the unevenness of the trail, I wasn't surprised. It is conditioning like this that is going to help prepare me for St Helens. One thing I'm noticing is, although I still hurt and ache when I get home, my recovery time is less. By Sunday afternoon I was only feeling the muscle strain in my upper quads and only minimal stiffness when I awoke Monday - little to no joint pain at all.

All in all, this was a great hike.

Distance hiked: 7.5 miles
Elevation gained: 1750 ft