The busy parking lot at the park reminded me the summer is here (regardless of what that lingering snow is thinking), and it is time to pick less-populated trails. To start, it's a long uneventful hike along the road, eventually climbing steeply up into the forest with plenty of deadfall, rocks and exposed slippery roots. The Alder Flats camp is getting quite a few visitors, and we saw even more tents pitched on our way back.
First snow patches appeared at ~1000m, and by the time we arrived on the ridge, the snow depth was 1-1.5m. It was well compressed and easy to travel on in just boots, and we continued along, ascending into denser and denser clouds. The snow on the traverse along the steep slope before the shelter was solid, with good foot steps made by the people who went there earlier. As the snow conditions are constantly changing, an ice axe and traction aides would be highly recommended on that stretch. I put my crampons on at that point and felt very comfortable.
Though the visibility deteriorated to the point when we could barely see 20m ahead, we followed several sets of tracks towards the summit, checking frequently with a GPS. Reached a very steep (~45-degree) section where, deceivingly, it is possible to hike up following others' steps without much trouble, but an ice axe and/or crampons are a must for the descent: it's a lo-ong slide down if you slip, and the snow is wet and very slippery! Took us a while on the way back. A few small snow fields interchanging with fun scrambles along the rock, and we're at the summit, the NE Ear. The decision was made to not attempt the second, SW Ear due to poor visibility, and we headed down.
On our way up, mcontinue reading »et two parties who spent the night high in the alpine, and on our way down, another 2 or 3 hiking in. Can't imagine how crowded it will be in the summer! Btw, hardly any bugs as of yet. « less
Jul 03, 2010
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