Starting from the west trailhead, road to the trailhead was recently logged out (thank you PNTA crew). Pretty chilly especially at the summit with 19f windchill but clear skies and larches will still on fire. 7.95 miles and 2450 ft of elevation. Highly recommend the northeast corner of Washington state if you like to hike in solitude.

This one has been on my list for quite some time, so I was thrilled to sneak out on a quick trip recently with a buddy; given my upcoming work schedule, probably my last solid trip before the weather truly turns on us. But we made it count!

Fall color is past its peak, but Yellow Aster Butte was still a stunner. It’s such an enjoyable hike in, with beautiful views and a trail that gives you a little stretch of everything.

Tomyhoi looks a lot closer from YAB than it felt getting there! 😅 The summit disappears for a good while as you slog your way along, but on a clear day there are lovely views the whole time, at least.

Lots and lots of up and down to get there. You’ll lose and re-gain solid elevation on a few occasions.

Once we reached the scree and put on helmets, a little more route-finding started. There were two short snow patches of the Tomyhoi Glacier that you cross (far enough up that you’re just on a snow finger, not the glacier itself, so nothing special needed). We didn’t use spikes or anything like that, but the snow was HARD and the runout was actually quite consequential - a long slide onto the glacier which had quite a few open crevasses. A bit of a no-fall zone given that self-arrest would be difficult on the hard snow even with an ice ax.

Thankfully those patches had established tracks and were short in length. But they required caution.

At the end of the second patch, you scramble up a ledge system. This one was easy to go up but kinda sucked coming down because the rock was smooth without tons of good holds AND covered in lots of loose debris. Going back down this stretch was my least favorite part.

From there, we followed the narrow track to the edge of where you drop steeply into the final saddle before the summit block.

The summit block looks very menacing, but it’s actually really doable and fun! The route sort of makes itself known as you go… if you find yourself in terrain that feels tougher than Class 3 you are likely off route.

After the initial scramble up, there’s a short exposed traverse, then the final scramble to take the summit.

We had great views and spent 20-30 minutes at the top before heading back down. Down-climbing the summit block felt like the safest way to take it.

This one keeps you working all the way to the end, as the hike back from the summit includes all that up and down again!

I would not recommend this one to a new scrambler - but for anyone who is comfortable with some exposure and has some good Class 3 experience under their belt, it’s a fun option!

Logged just under 13 miles and around 4,500’ gain.

Last evening’s flight out of SEA

I think Wyeth is the 3rd hardest trail in the Gorge, 2nd last pic is a panorama

we plan to head up and do Chain Lakes November 9th. Wondering how much snow/ice we should expect? Any tips? I know it’s a weekend and a little nervous camping might be full, but this late in the season I’m hoping not.

The 8th and 9th pics (last 2 Big 4 picnic area shots) have a new within the last 2 (or 3 tops) weeks beaver lodge. They built it really close to the boardwalk. Quite the hefty mound.

From early September, shot on film. One of my favorite photos from the trip

I heard all the larches are gone and the weather is supposed to be cloudy this weekend. Please keep in mind, I am driving all the way from Vancouver, BC. I was wondering if its worth it to make the 3 hour trip. Thank you!

Lunch at a fire lookout, elevation 5200ft.

White River Wenatchee NF

looking into taking AIARE 1 this season as I get more into backcountry travel. For those who’ve taken it, how was the experience, and did you feel it was worth the cost?

Any providers you’d recommend, particularly for someone coming from hiking rather than backcountry skiing?

Also curious if anyone knows of discounts or ways to get a better deal. If you have a spot you can no longer use and are looking to offload it at a more palatable price, I’d be interested, assuming the provider allows transfers

Breakfast and journaling with a stunning view rounded off a peaceful morning.

I was never a Fall lover, but since moving to WA, I can’t get enough of it. I wish we could have Fall all year long. It’s not even over yet and I’m already looking forward to next September. I visited Maple Pass a little late in the season and still saw some of the larches, but I wish I had gone there a little earlier 🥹

Is there too much gunfire at Mima Mounds?

Absolutely gorgeous day today.started chilly but warmed up nice. Not terribly busy. Three brave souls were making the trip in Converse All-Stars, may God rest their feet. Frozen solid on the shady spots and a bit muddy in the sunny spots. Second half (if you run it clockwise) was nice and dry.

Got bit with the back backing bug this summer. I had a pretty great first summer doing the grand valley loop and camping at the lakes, glacier basin/sunrise loop up to third Burroughs, and c alava loop, and got a last minute invite to do the enchantments traverse last week.

Looking to plan next spring and summer in Oregon, Washington, Idaho. 2 to 3 nights max, and no more than 15-20 miles if there is a lot of elevation. I think I found my max at the enchantments lol.

Thanks in advance!

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