Mount Rose

We drove to the southwest Olympics to hike up Mt Rose. We stopped short of the summit as the snow was  starting to melt and we could not get footsteps up to the top. Overall we hiked 5.7 miles with 3,350 ft of gain of the 5.8 mile 3,500 ft route. We only saw 5 other hikers on this trail today.

The trail was dry and free of snow and ice until just before reaching Horse Camp, where we put our micro spikes on.

Shortly after Horse Camp, the snow levels became deeper. As long as we stayed on the packed route, we did not post hole.

There were some nice icicles on the boulders and rocky cliffs.

View of Lake Cushman below as we neared the summit block.

We continued up the summit block, following a previous track and reached 4,150 ft where the snow was melting under our feet and we could not get a good purchase in the snow. Up where there is a tree/log lying diagonally near the top of this photo. We decided to turn around.

From the bottom of the summit block, we followed some steps out to get a better view of Lake Cushman.

View of Lake Cushman below, a nice spot for a lunch break. 

 

Hurricane Ridge Snowshoe

I drove up to Hurricane Ridge at Olympic National Park to do some snowshoeing on this beautiful sunny day and learned this is the last weekend the road to Hurricane Ridge is open until sometime later in April or May. So glad I came up! I combined parts of several trails: Hurricane Hill Road and part way along the ridge, over to Sunrise Point and then back to the Visitor Center by what would be the Cirque Rim Trail in the summer time, Overall 4.7 miles with 700' of gain. The ranger told me there is 10 feet of snow here.

View of the Olympic from near the Visitor Center

Panoramic view to the south

The closed Hurricane Hill Road is a mile long, I then continued up along the route towards Hurricane Hill, only two snowshoers before me today. Lots of cornices have built up along the east side of the ridge.

Looking back to the south from up on the ridge. The winds have blown most of the snow off of the ridge, it was hard packed and a bit icy.

Views from the ridge

northwest

west

south

Mount Angels to the south east as seen on my way back 

Then I headed up to Sunrise Point, view looking back towards the Visitor Center and this gorgeous view of the Olympics

zoom of Mount Olympus

Views of the Olympics from part way up to Sunrise Point

Mount Angels and Klahhane Ridge to the east

view of the Olympics to the southwest, the Visitor Center can be seen, but the parking lot is hidden by the meadow area.

Sunrise Point is to the left, with Mount Angels in the center

From Sunrise Point looking out along Sunrise Ridge towards Mount Angeles. Between the cornices and the exposure, I decided not to continue along the ridge, but to enjoy the views form Sunrise Point.

View of Hurricane Hill to the southeast

Mount Angels and far below the Salish Sea and north to Canada

Another view of Hurricane Hill

Heading back down, Olympic Peaks to the southeast

Panos looking south

from Mount Angeles in the east to the route down from Sunrise Point

route down from Sunrise Point towards the west

lots of lovely frosty trees

icicles hanging down from the branches

View to the north from the "Cirque Rim Trail"as I head back to the visitor center

 

Lake Angeles

Drove up to the Hear of the Hills area of Olympic National Park outside of Port Angeles to hike up to Lake Angles. 7.4 miles round trip with 2,350 ft of gain.

Most of the first 2 miles of the trail was dry, except for one very icy patch just before the log bridge crossing. I wore my microspikes for this very icy section.

stream

Continued hiking up this pretty forested trail.

Around 3,400 ft the trail was covered with what looked like hail, underneath was very icy and slippery. I was glad I had my micro spikes and put them back on for the remainder of the hike up.

Around 3,600+ ft, the trail became continuously snow covered.

Before long, the trail was a winter wonderland. I only saw 3 other hikers on my way up to the lake.

View of Klahhane Ridge from the meadow area shortly before the lake

lovely bright green lichen hanging off the tree branches

View of a snow buried Lake Angels and Klahhane Ridge. I took a lunch break here and had this view to myself.

 

Mazama Ridge Snowshoe

We drove up to Paradise at Mt Rainier today to snowshoe up to Mazama Ridge, what a beautiful day. Such a change from the low cloudy covered day yesterday. We did 4 miles round trip with 1,100 ft of gain. We didn't see any other people on Mazama Ridge until we were coming back down. And there were more than 20 empty parking spaces at the upper lot when we left in the early afternoon. 

View of Paradise Inn and Mt Rainer as we started down the closed Paradise Valley Road.

View of the Tatoosh from the north end of Paradise Valley

It was nice to be able to go up the fresh tracks we made coming down from Mazama Ridge yesterday. And today we had glorious blue skies and views of the mountain.

Part way up Mazama Ridge, looking over at Paradise Inn where we began today.

Animal tracks heading up in the snow

Beautiful snowy trees

Remains of an igloo from the weekend. Wish they had completely demolished it, as it can be a hazard when it is buried in fresh snow, creating unsuspected sink holes. Lovely view of the Tatoosh Range.

We continued going north up Mazama Ridge with gorgeous views of Mt Rainier, fresh snow over last weeks ski and snowshoe tracks. The snow is quickly melting off the trees from today's sunshine.

We continued on going up towards the "Paradise Glacier Trail". Here we broke trail.

Looking back at the Tatoosh Range

zoom of Mt St Helens south of the Tatoosh

We took a long lunch break on my favorite little hill. Beautiful cornices with views of the eastern Tatoosh Range and Mt Adams in the distance. Overlooking Stevens Canyon

zoom of Mt Adams beyond the Tatoosh

Our lunchtime view of Mt Rainier and Little Tahoma, we saw no other people while we were here. It was so quiet and serene.

Watching the clouds gather behind the Tatoosh as we snowshoe back down.

Looking back at our tracks going up and back from my favorite little hill.

The narrowest part of Mazama Ridge in the snow. Fabulous views of the Tatoosh here.

Clouds were gathering over Mt Rainier as we were heading back down.

View of the Paradise River as it meanders down Paradise Valley.

Barely able to see Mt Rainier behind Paradise Inn when we returned to the parking area, what a change a few hours makes.