I made the mistake of a late start on Saturday, and didn't get to the trailhead until 10:30. For some reason, it always takes longer to get to Silver Star than it seems like it should. The road out of Washougal had spots of rather slick ice, and the last mile or so of 1200 Road had snow/ice up to 8" deep for stretches, with ruts for a single vehicle to pass through. On the way out, I hit a really icy spot climbing a short shaded hill, and started sliding up sideways for a bit. (I was back in 2WD by then.) Plan on some winter driving!
Was it worth it? Oh yeah...
Looking south near the Indian Pits.
Click any photo for a fullscreen enlargement.
The trailhead is at about 1650', and there was a fair bit of snow to start out. The ground was still frozen, but the air was warming quickly. Didn't even consider using gloves or a coat. But did stop to put on the MICROspikes in well under a mile. But in just over 1.5 miles (about 2800'), I started post-holing and had to strap on the showshoes for the very first time! (Actually, I had used them once before - in 1974 - but the technology has <ahem> "advanced" a bit since then!) By now, it was also warm enough to remove my baselayer top, and roll up my sleeves. I'd have zipped off the lower legs too, if they weren't doing such a good job of keeping me out of the snow.
Newb Alert! First time on real snowshoes. This oughta be "an experience!"
The trail is rather troublesome for the next half-mile or so, as there are a number of places where it's pretty well melted, and you need to plow through the small trees to stay on snow. And some climbing in and out of trenches. Not the best place to re-acquaint oneself with huge paddles on the feet.
Worst part of the journey, but it doesn't last too long.
But it soon broke free, into the more treeless realm that is the upper flanks of Silver Star.
2 miles in at 3100'.
First view of Pyramid Rock, over on the Grouse Vista approach.
First major mistake - not packing for summer! I had a fleece stocking cap, and another fleece brimmed cap. Both were way too hot! No regular old baseball cap, to keep the sun off. No sunscream either, but I hate that stuff anyway. No shade from here on...
Jefferson and the Sisters (indiscernable in the photo) in the distance.
The trail ahead was clearly marked by the authors of last week's TRs, though...
Indian Pits atop knob at middle-left; Star 2 on far left.
Climb up to Indian Pits was 600' in .34 miles! Am I nutz? Kicked me hard. Zoom to see tracks.
Snow was in great shape, though! Not too icy, and not at all slushy (yet).
Looking back down the trail, fog enveloping the Portland area.
It was impossible not to take far too many photos!
Cresting the ridge that would lead me up to the Indian Pits area, Mt. Hood made its first appearance.
I believe, across the gorge, that's Nesmith Point and Larch Mountain in front of Mt. Hood?
Climbing this ridge was breathtaking. In every imaginable way. Last time I'd used snowshoes, they were made of wood and rawhide! But for scenery like this??? Incredible...
Looking back down the south ridge.
Pyramid Rock. Zoom to see tracks all over it. Haven't seen that TR!
Saddle Mountain in the distance! Clark County in a dense fog.
Mt. Adams comes into view.
Sturgeon Rock rising above the linear replanting. My descent would take me through there.
Cool cornices atop the ridge. Almost there!
Last September, I followed that ridge in the foreground, picking huckleberries the whole way to Little Baldy!
On top of the ridge, I couldn't stop taking photos! So worth the effort to get here!!!
Star 2, St. Helens, and Rainier.
Unfortunately, it's now 1:40, and I'm wondering if I'll make it to the summit. I definitely want to get out before dark. That drive was just too nasty to not be able to see.
But I digress... On with the show!
Zoom on St. Helens.
360° Panorama. Click photo for still image, or... 54-Megapixel Interactive Photosynth.
Pretty harsh, but beautiful, environment! Wish I had a cap with a visor!
The fog doesn't seem to be letting up in the city, at all.
So I leave the ridge, heading north towards the summit. I spot an outcropping partway up, and decide that'll make a nice stopping point if I hit my turn around time, and push on.
No idea what made those tracks heading down over the edge.
Mt. Hood rising above the Indian Pits ridge. My tracks were the higher line of the two.
Looking back at where I'd come from, again.
I'd have probably made better time if I weren't documenting every little hill and vale. Heheh...
Alas, I had told myself I'd turn around at 2:30, regardless of where I was. Wanted to be sure I was back at the Jeep by 4:30. So, 0.1 miles and 300' short of the summit, I made that hardest of decisions. Back down I go! I know that seems pretty darn close, and it was! But the final slope was somewhere in the 45-55% range. There was a roundabout way, that would've been 4x as far. Probably just as quick. Ah well...
Walking directly into the sun now. The temperature is hovering right around 60°F.
Weak attempt at a VanMarmot style self-portrait!
The other group, who I'd last seen at the TH, was now near the Indian Pits. (Hey, mandrake!)
I was about to be reminded of why they taught us in Boy Scouts that you shouldn't go snowshoeing alone. My descent route was through that uniquely linear replanting area. Lots of trees. Lots of treewells! 'Nuf said?
No mistaking you're in a "planned environment" here.
Fog seems to be getting even thicker, if that's possible, down in the cities.
I think it was VMs tracks I was following through here? Two days of sun later.
So, would you have walked over this, to the right, after taking its picture? Whoooomp!
Sunk in to my armpits!!! Crap... Snowshoes prevented an easy escape, of course.
Took a fair bit of work to get my sorry arse outta there.
Obviously, I lived to tell about it.
The remainder of the descent was, thankfully, uneventful.
The valley fog was simply amazing!
There was a beautiful moon rising over the ridge I'd traversed.
The steam-generating plant on Lower River Road raises a plume behind Pyramid Rock.
Here, I climbed back up to that ridge, and followed it down rather than the trail I'd come up.
Goodness in every direction on Silver Star!
Cool ice dome at end of ridge.
Parting shot of a distant volcano.
I kept my snowshoes on until about 2200' on descent. At that point, the trail was perhaps 25-30% uncovered. In all, it was about 7.5 miles and 2800' of EG. Some of the hardest 7.5 miles I've done! But totally worth it.
http://gpsfly.org/gps_map.php?gps_id=2044&w=645&h=440
Click map to zoom.
What a great day in, and especially out of, the woods!
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