Post by GaliWalker on Feb 27, 2017 7:04:25 GMT -8
Hike #6, in my personal Top-10...
Top-10 hikes:
10: Lake Ida – Lake Edna loop (Washington)
9: Chesler Park and Druid Arch (Utah)
8: Presidential Traverse (New Hampshire)
7: Half Dome (California)
6: Pea Soup Lake (Washington)
5: Grand Canyon (Arizona)
4: Enchantments (Washington)
3: Nanga Parbat bc, Fairy Meadows (Himalayas)
2: Snow Lake (Karakorams)
1: Concordia and K2 basecamp (Karakorams)
This is an obscure hike for non-Washingtonians, and even for most Washingtonians. Also, a large part of the hike is off-trail. You would need to pull out the topo maps to puzzle out my route.
Pea Soup Lake (8/15/2008)
Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Washington
Ever since I saw photos of Pea Soup Lake I'd wanted to see it for myself. Unfortunately, it isn't that easy to get there: the easiest approach is via Jade Lake, but the route was too long for my taste. So, I researched alternate routes, finally coming up with one I was happy with.
I made my 1st attempt right after heavy rains. 3hrs of futile brush-bashing in extremely wet conditions left me defeated and dispirited, but I did end up scoping out the correct route.
A week later, I was all set for attempt number two. An early start had me hiking from the Deception Pass trailhead by 4:50am. 1hr 50min later I reached Deception Pass and then headed south on the Pacific Crest Trail. Eventually, I reached the jump-off spot and was soon brush-bashing to hit a meadow at 4,400ft...and this wasn’t your ordinary garden-variety brush either: I think I only touched the ground about half the time, spending the rest suspended in branches over an unseen floor. Mercifully, it was short and I was out of it in about 30min.
The meadow was quite pretty with snow-melt streams cutting through it. Also, absence of the bushy stuff was most welcome! Unfortunately, I was soon back in the brush as I ascended the next ridge where I was able to pick up an old, faint trail. I was able to stick to this trail almost all the way up the ridge. Soon things began to open up and I was gawking at stupendous views of Mount Daniel, towering above a lovely, secluded basin. The basin was almost entirely enclosed by towering cliffs; numerous waterfalls thundered into it, and then gathered themselves to form the roaring creek which cuts the PCT lower down (and frequently leads to re-routes when running high).
A steep climb took me to more open terrain and gorgeous meadows. Again, rushing streams lent music and drama to the area and it was difficult to remember that the main course was still to come. Finally, I crested a saddle and there it lay: Pea Soup Lake, a dream come true.
This lake is just stupendous. The water color changes with the light, all possible shades of blue and green are represented. Mounts Hinman and Daniel are an awesome presence on one side, while Lynch and Diptop Peaks are a somewhat lesser one on the other. Ice chunks floated on the lake surface; in fact, I could periodically hear the crashing sounds of more chunks calving off the Lynch Glacier and dropping into the lake. Precious flowers sprouted amidst the rocky terrain, lending yet more color and atmosphere.
I wandered partway up the slopes trying to get as much out of the experience as I could. Eventually, it was time to say goodbye, but my photographs will keep the day forever in my memory.
Cumulative stats:
- Distance: ~16mi
- Elevation gain: 5,250ft (High point: 6,300ft)
- Hiking time: 12hr 45min
Top-10 hikes:
10: Lake Ida – Lake Edna loop (Washington)
9: Chesler Park and Druid Arch (Utah)
8: Presidential Traverse (New Hampshire)
7: Half Dome (California)
6: Pea Soup Lake (Washington)
5: Grand Canyon (Arizona)
4: Enchantments (Washington)
3: Nanga Parbat bc, Fairy Meadows (Himalayas)
2: Snow Lake (Karakorams)
1: Concordia and K2 basecamp (Karakorams)
This is an obscure hike for non-Washingtonians, and even for most Washingtonians. Also, a large part of the hike is off-trail. You would need to pull out the topo maps to puzzle out my route.
Pea Soup Lake (8/15/2008)
Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Washington
Ever since I saw photos of Pea Soup Lake I'd wanted to see it for myself. Unfortunately, it isn't that easy to get there: the easiest approach is via Jade Lake, but the route was too long for my taste. So, I researched alternate routes, finally coming up with one I was happy with.
I made my 1st attempt right after heavy rains. 3hrs of futile brush-bashing in extremely wet conditions left me defeated and dispirited, but I did end up scoping out the correct route.
A week later, I was all set for attempt number two. An early start had me hiking from the Deception Pass trailhead by 4:50am. 1hr 50min later I reached Deception Pass and then headed south on the Pacific Crest Trail. Eventually, I reached the jump-off spot and was soon brush-bashing to hit a meadow at 4,400ft...and this wasn’t your ordinary garden-variety brush either: I think I only touched the ground about half the time, spending the rest suspended in branches over an unseen floor. Mercifully, it was short and I was out of it in about 30min.
The meadow was quite pretty with snow-melt streams cutting through it. Also, absence of the bushy stuff was most welcome! Unfortunately, I was soon back in the brush as I ascended the next ridge where I was able to pick up an old, faint trail. I was able to stick to this trail almost all the way up the ridge. Soon things began to open up and I was gawking at stupendous views of Mount Daniel, towering above a lovely, secluded basin. The basin was almost entirely enclosed by towering cliffs; numerous waterfalls thundered into it, and then gathered themselves to form the roaring creek which cuts the PCT lower down (and frequently leads to re-routes when running high).
A steep climb took me to more open terrain and gorgeous meadows. Again, rushing streams lent music and drama to the area and it was difficult to remember that the main course was still to come. Finally, I crested a saddle and there it lay: Pea Soup Lake, a dream come true.
This lake is just stupendous. The water color changes with the light, all possible shades of blue and green are represented. Mounts Hinman and Daniel are an awesome presence on one side, while Lynch and Diptop Peaks are a somewhat lesser one on the other. Ice chunks floated on the lake surface; in fact, I could periodically hear the crashing sounds of more chunks calving off the Lynch Glacier and dropping into the lake. Precious flowers sprouted amidst the rocky terrain, lending yet more color and atmosphere.
I wandered partway up the slopes trying to get as much out of the experience as I could. Eventually, it was time to say goodbye, but my photographs will keep the day forever in my memory.
Cumulative stats:
- Distance: ~16mi
- Elevation gain: 5,250ft (High point: 6,300ft)
- Hiking time: 12hr 45min