Monday, August 19, 2019

Fisher-Outpost high route, North Cascades National Park

Probably the most remote and consistently-challenging trip I've done in Washington (and I believe Ben concurred). From Fisher Basin to North Fork Bridge Creek we did 11.5 miles of continuous cross country travel.

Approx. 30.5 miles, 12,000' gain, 6 bears

Fisher Basin

Pikas at work

Dying glacier on Mount Arriva

A loose descent


Lake 5972' ("Sheba Lake" dubbed by Ben)


Looking back up the multiple morraines

Lower Fisher Creek valley

Natal Creek valley

Two bears in the basin below Point 6985'

Looking back at the Arriva-Fisher group and satellite peaks

Outpost Peak and Logan in the clouds

North Cascades National Park

North side of Fisher Pass

One of three bears that we woke up to at Fisher Pass

Another bear at Fisher Pass


Logan, from low down on Outpost's north ridge

Climbing up Outpost

Last step to Outpost's summit 7910'

Goode and the North Fork Meadows from the summit of Outpost

Buckner, Logan and Boston Glacier peaks beyond

Picketts and Chilliwack group

From whence we came

Outpost's SE ridge


Outpost's SE ridge, Black Peak at left


Last look at Goode and the North Fork Meadows, from low on Outpost's SE ridge



Sunday, August 11, 2019

Big Snow Mountain 6680', Alpine Lakes Wilderness

Nice near-home adventure on a great mountain. The loop is probably more fun than an out and back on the road (which does have surprising old growth, though). ~20 miles - 6,000' gain

Big Snow Lake outlet gully

Big Snow Lake, Big Snow beyond

Tadpole explosion near Snowflake Lake 
Western Redback Salamander up at 5500' (higher than normal habitat?)


Myrtle (l) and Big Snow lakes

Big Snow Mountain summit 6680'

Great NE flank of Big Snow

Descent to Upper Hardscrabble

Little tarn in between the Hardscrabbles

Lower Hardscrabble Lake