Hiking with Annie
2010
April - June
These two hikes were nothing more than short walks that occurred on the same weekend, therefore I have combined them both into one. The Moses Coulee trail is just off Jameson Lake Road which cuts off of Highway 2 between Waterville and Coulee City. The trail leads about 1/2 mile to the coulee wall and Dusty Hill Falls. The falls is usually dry by early summer and was already dry when we were there although there was still water in the splashpool below. We spied a small cave next to the falls and climbed up to check it out. From here the trail leds in two directions, both following along the coulee wall. We took the south trail and soon ended up in a maze of tall sagebrush. This sagebrush is supposed to be centuries old but I don't know how you could tell. When we started getting into grazing land, we circled around back to the cars. We then drove up an old, primitive road above Jameson Lake and parked, after which we hiked about 1/2 mile to a spot directly above the lake. After checking out the scenery we hiked back to the cars and headed home. Horse Thief Cave is located off Road 23 which cuts off Highway 17 at the north end of Soap Lake. It is a short walk from where we parked - between 1/4 and 1/2 mile. I had heard of this cave before but had never been here. I was actually impressed with the size of it. I was expecting something like the Lenore Lake caves but it was actually much bigger. The name comes from settlers in the area - the story is that natives used to steal horses from the settlers and hide them in the cave until the heat was off, at which point they would make off with them. Supposedly it was dynamited at one time to fill it in some and prevent this. Not sure if the story is true or not but it adds a little element of excitement.
Apr 03 & 04 - Moses Coulee & Horse Thief Cave
Parking: N47 31 50.0 W121 58 45.2 (NAD83) Elevation: 515 ft Distance: 11.0 miles Elevation gain: 2470 ft Hike time: N/A Total time: N/A Permit required: Discover Pass
Destination: N47 29 18.4 W121 56 50.4 Elevation: 2985 ft Total Ascent: N/A
Driving directions: From I-90, take exit 20 and turn south at the end of the exit ramp. A few hundred feet from the freeway, is a gated road on the left. Park at the gate and walk down the road about 1/4 mile to the trailhead.
Hike description: We started off walking through the gate toward the trailhead just under 1/4 mile away. Once on the trailhead we hiked up the hill just over 1/4 mile and took a left on the Power Line trail. This trail loops back around and catches the powerline road. After just over 1/4 mile we cut to the right onto the Lingering Loop trail. This trail is a pleasant little section of trail that meanders along the hilltop for about 1/2 mile before intersecting with Dwight's Way, where we took a left. Dwight's Way circles around the hillside about 3/4 mile to the northeast ridge of West Tiger #1. From there we took a right and headed up the Preston trail. This is a steep rugged trail that is often muddy and slippery. After just over 1/2 mile we caught the Middle Bootleg trail. The Bootleg trail circles around and attacks West Tiger #1 from the east. We ran into a couple of the local residents on this trail - first a Douglas Squirrel sat and chattered at us until we left his territory then a fat little wren twitted at us for a moment. After a little over a mile on this trail we finally took a left and caught the East Tiger trail. This trail drops down to the east and crosses an old road before crossing Soderman Creek. Just past this area the trail passes through a somewhat swampy area before starting the climb up East Tiger. At just over a mile, the trail crosses the Preston Railroad trail before continuing up another 1/2 mile to the East Tiger Road. From there it is a short 1/4 mile up the road to the top. There are communication towers here and a picnic table to sit and enjoy the view. before heading back down.
Apr 12 - East Tiger Mountain
Parking: N47 26 08.6 W121 46 05.4 (NAD83) Elevation: 920 ft Distance: 8.0 miles Elevation gain: 2285 ft Hike time: N/A Total time: N/A Permit required: No pass required
Destination: N47 26 39.1 W121 47 48.5 Elevation: 3205 ft Total Ascent: N/A
Driving directions: From I-90, take exit 32 and turn south on 436th Ave SE. 436th soon becomes Cedar Falls Rd SE. Turn right into the Rattlesnake Lake parking lot, just under 3 miles from the freeway.
Hike description: We headed up the trail around the north end of Rattlesnake Lake for just over 1/4 mile to the trailhead, then proceeded up the trail. After nearly 2 miles, 4 wide sweeping switchbacks and 1100 feet we reached the lower ledge at 2040 feet. After taking a break and enjoying the view we proceeded to the next ledge. At just under 1/4 mile we hit the middle ledge at 2180 feet. All three ledges afford nearly 180° views (mostly northwest to southeast) each one just a little higher than the proceeding. Another 1/4 mile and we hit the upper ledge at 2345 feet. The benefit of this ledge is that you get the same view as the lower two plus the view of the lower two ledges. After taking in the view here we pressed on. A little over a mile later we passed the Barrow Pit and a short distance from there we turned around and headed back.
Apr 26 - Rattlesnake Mountain: East Peak (attempt)
Trailhead: N47 29 09.8 W121 42 03.5 (NAD83) Elevation: 950 ft Distance: 9.5 miles Elevation gain: 3050 ft Hike time: N/A Total time: N/A Permit required: Discover Pass
Destination: N47 30 40.0 W121 43 08.4 Elevation: 4000 ft Total Ascent: N/A
Driving directions: From I-90, take exit 32 and turn north on 436th Ave SE. In about 1/2 mile (at the stop sign), take a left on SE North Bend Way. Follow for .3 mile then turn right on SE Mount Si Rd. In nearly 3.5 miles (Just before 480th Ave SE) take a left onto a wide gravel area with a blue gate. Park here but don't block the gate.
Hike description: This "trail" is actually an old road that goes up the ridge between Mt Si and Mt Teneriffe before sweeping along the ridge toward Mt Teneriffe. From the parking area we headed through the gate up the road/trail. At this lower elevation there are obvious signs of this being a somewhat developed area - we passed by an old, defunct water tower. At just under a mile, we came to the intersection of the Kamikaze trail that cuts off to the left. Staying on the road/trail we came upon a nice little waterfall about 1/4 mile away and then the Lower Mt Si Connector trail another 1/4 mile away. Up to this point the hike was fairly easy but past this spot it gets a bit tougher as the road zigzags up the face of the ridge. After another 2-1/2 miles we came to where the Upper Mt Si Connector trail intersects. Past here the road/trail mellows out as it follows along the face of the ridge. About 1/4 mile from the Upper Connector trail we came upon a large clearing that afforded outstanding views to the south. Although it was a bit cloudy and misty we had some excellent views before it was completely socked in. About a 1/4 mile from here we ran into a large snow field and Annie went nuts running and rolling around in it for what seemed like a full 10 minutes. After she settled down we hiked through that snow field but started running into more and more of it. Since I had no traction devices with me and the footing was getting more and more precarious, we turned around and headed back. As we were going back through the clearing, the fog rolled in and completely obscured all the views - so I guess we happened to be there at the right time to get any views at all.
May 17 - Mount Teneriffe (attempt)
Trailhead: N47 24.068 W121 31.108 (NAD83) Elevation: 2645 ft Distance: 7.6 miles Elevation gain: 1560 ft Hike time: 10:30 am to 3:38 pm Total time: 5 hrs 31 minutes Permit required: Northwest Forest Pass
Destination: N47 25 23.0 W121 30 54.4 Elevation: 4205 ft Total Ascent: 1675 ft
Driving directions: From I-90, take exit 45, between North Bend and Snoqualmie Pass, and turn north onto FR9030. At just over 3/4 mile the road splits. Veer to the right, staying on FR9030 and continue for about 2-1/2 miles to the end of the road and the Talapus Lake trailhead.
Hike details: We started up the Talapus Lake trail under sunny skies at a snow free trailhead. The trail winds through the forest for about a mile before coming up next to Talapus Creek. From here it pretty much follows along side the creek for just over 1/2 mile to Talapus Lake. The lake was very picturesque with just enough clouds in the sky for dramatic effect. Thus far the hike was snow-free with only patches here and there in shady spots mostly off the trail. That changed about 1/4 mile farther up the trail. The valley between Talapus and Olallie Lakes often gets buried in winter under 10 - 15 feet of snow and the proceeding winter was no exception. The snow quickly got deeper and deeper and the trail harder and harder to follow. Finally, nearly a mile from Talapus Lake, we came up onto the Pratt Lake trail. The snow was just as deep here but because of heavier traffic the trail was much easier to follow. After just under a mile we reached the Olallie Lake viewpoint. By now, the clouds were thickening and the sunshine had disappeared. After another 1/4 mile we reached the saddle leading down into the Pratt Lake basin. I had planned on going to the Island Lakes but there were no tracks leading that direction. We attempted it, but after post-holing every other step we turned around and headed back.
May 24 - Pratt Mountain Saddle
Trailhead: N47 26 06.0 W121 11 06.5 (NAD83) Elevation: 2890 ft Distance: 4.7 miles Elevation gain: 0 ft Hike time: 12:54 pm to 4:08 pm Total time: 3 hrs 14 minutes Permit required: Discover Pass
Destination: N47 27 26.4 W121 12 38.8 Elevation: 2865 ft Total Ascent: 490 ft
Driving directions: From I-90 take exit 80, west of Cle Elum, and turn north on Bullfrog Rd. In about 2-1/2 miles, turn left onto Highway 903 and continue thru Roslyn. At about 18-1/4 miles from the freeway, turn left onto FR46 and follow for about 4-3/4 miles. Turn right onto FR4616, crossing over the Cooper River, and in about 3/4 mile, keep left onto FR113. Follow for a mile to the end of the road into the trailhead parking area.
Hike description: We took this hike during the Memorial Day weekend with my brother, his wife, a niece and her boyfriend. The trail started out fine, as was the weather. It makes a more or less straight shot to Pete Lake through the Cooper River valley, occasionally running next to the river as it meanders through the valley. At 1-1/4 miles the Tired Creek trail cuts off to the right. At 1-1/2 miles the snow started to get deeper and the trail harder to follow. Finally, when it was obvious that the trail was actually under the creek running down the hill, we decided to turn around. I might have to make this hike on my own one day.
May 30 - Pete Lake (attempt)
Parking: N47 25 52.2 W121 37 56.2 (NAD83) Elevation: 1320 ft Distance: 8.4 miles Elevation gain: 3370 ft Hike time: 9:56 am to 4:05 pm Total time: 6 hrs 9 minutes Permit required: Discover Pass
Destination: N47 27 04.8 W121 37 18.1 Elevation: 4690 ft Total Ascent: 3790 ft
Driving directions: Eastbound I-90 - Take exit 38 off I-90 east of North Bend. At the end of the exit ramp, turn right onto Homestead Valley road and follow for 2 miles to the parking area. Westbound I-90 - Take exit 38 off I-90 and, at the end of the exit ramp, turn right. The parking area is only about 300 feet, just around the bend near the power lines. Don't drive through the gate to park or your vehicle may get locked in.
Hike description: After parking we walked up the road past the gate about 3/4 mile to the trailhead. This first section of trail is a little steep and rocky but if you look closely you'll see faint trails weaving from one side of the wide trail to the other, so you can avoid some of the worst areas. The trail is actually an old logging road cut sometime during the first half of the last century by a man named Harry Gault. Harvey Manning, a legendary local naturalist, once gave him the name Dirty Harry - hence the name of the features in this area. Nearly 1-1/2 miles from the trailhead there is an old, rusty milk can at the side of the trail - this is the trail marker for the Balcony trail. We decided to keep heading to the peak so passed it by for now. The next 3/4 mile of trail climbs steadily but is not as rocky as the lower section, so it is a bit easier. The view at the Change Peak viewpoint wasn't so great so after a couple photos we continued on. The next section of trail is fairly level and for about 1/4 mile is the easiest part of the hike. Once we reached the bottom of the scree slope the trail cut back to the west and for nearly 1/4 mile was under running water. Another 1/2 mile and several switchbacks and we were up on the crest of the ridge. The peak was a short 1/4 mile from there. Unfortunately the weather did not give us a break and there were no views what so ever - we could barely see trees just a couple dozen feet away. After eating lunch and taking a short break, we headed back down. Just a short distance from the Balcony trail, we ran across a huge slug - the biggest I've ever seen! It was nearly as long as my foot! Once we got to the Balcony trail I decided to see if the view here would be any better than the peak - it wasn't. There were bunches of Penstemon blooming on the rocks so I guess it was a little better. After a short visit, we headed back to the car.
Jun 07 - Dirty Harry's Peak & Balcony
Trailhead: N47 30 57.7 W121 36 47.3 (NAD83) Elevation: 925 ft Distance: 7.6 miles Elevation gain: 1775 ft Hike time: 10:28 am to 2:01 pm Total time: 4 hrs 11 minutes Permit required: Discover Pass
Destination: N47 32 21.1 W121 36 50.9 Elevation: 2700 ft Total Ascent: 1885 ft
Driving directions: From I-90, take exit 34 at the east end of North Bend. Turn north onto 468th Ave SE and follow for about 1/2 mile. Make a sharp right onto Middle Fork Rd and follow for about .9 mile. At this point you can take either the left or right fork. The right fork - Follow Lake Dorothy Rd for about 6-1/4 miles to a sideroad, on the left, blocked by a blue gate. (Note: At about 1.6 miles, Lake Dorothy Rd becomes FR56 about where the pavement ends) The left fork - Continue on Middle Fork Rd for about 1.2 miles to the stop sign. Turn left onto Lake Dorothy Rd and follow for about 5 miles to a sideroad, on the left, blocked by a blue gate. (Note: Lake Dorothy Rd becomes FR56 between .3 and .4 mile where the pavement ends)
Hike description: We headed up the road past the gate at the small parking area. The first mile or so was an easy walk through typical lowland forest. The occasional roadside clearings were filled with berry bushes - mostly blackberry and salmonberry. Just after this 1st mile the road intersects with the old CCC Road which has been converted to trails in places. Just to the left is a tributary of Blowout Creek which would make a nice place to cool off on a warm day. Since it was misty and overcast we didn't need to cool off so after Annie got a drink we headed east on the CCC Road. At just under 1/2 mile, the CCC turns into trail and continues to the east while the road cut us back to the northwest to begin our way up the mountainside. In just under 1/2 mile, at the first switchback in the road, we walked by a rock quarry. It doesn't appear to be abandoned, but it doesn't seem to be very active either. After a couple more switchbacks and a little more that 3/4 mile, we came to a nice little waterfall at the side of the road. A little ways past the waterfall the weather started to turn for the worst. We headed up and made a couple more switchbacks and after nearly 1-1/4 miles came across an old, abandoned piece of logging equipment. The weather was getting down right miserable by now, so a little ways past here I decided to turn around - nearly 3 miles short of the summit.
Jun 15 - South Bessemer Mountain (attempt)
Parking: N47 28 03.6 W121 40 28.2 (NAD83) Elevation: 730 ft Distance: 5.4 miles Elevation gain: 4095 ft Hike time: 10:37 am to 6:29 pm Total time: 7 hrs 52 minutes Permit required: Discover Pass
Destination: N47 27 44.8 W121 38 21.3 Elevation: 4825 ft Total Ascent: 4155 ft
Driving directions: From I-90, take exit 34 at the east end of North Bend. Turn north onto 468th Ave SE and follow for about 1/2 mile. Make a sharp right onto Middle Fork Rd and follow for about .9 mile. At this point you can take either the left or right fork. The right fork - Follow Lake Dorothy Rd for about 1.6 miles to the trailhead on the righthand side of the road - about where the pavement ends. The left fork - Continue on Middle Fork Rd for about 1.2 miles to the stop sign. Turn left onto Lake Dorothy Rd and follow for .3 mile to the trailhead- about where the pavement ends.
Hike description: We reached the parking lot that morning and quickly headed up past the gate toward the trailhead. Just minutes before we got to the parking lot we had seen a deer at the side of the road. This would be the best view we would get all day. A 1/2 mile past the gate we arrived at the trailhead. This hike is such a rugged and steep hike that there is a warning sign posted at the trailhead. Most hikers consider anything over 1000 feet of elevation gain in 1 mile as being steep. This trail averages over 2000 feet in 1 mile. It starts out tame enough for the first 1/4 mile but quickly changes after that. The trail becomes very rugged and very steep with no switchbacks to smooth out the elevation gain. And to make matters worse, about 1/2 way up it becomes muddy and somewhat swampy and in some places its hard to find the trail. In these areas I found it best to look up at the trees for the trail markers. At about 1-3/4 miles from the trailhead we came out of the trees into the open. I imagine the view would be great from here on a clear day but not today. The last 1/2 mile is mostly out in the open with occasional treks into stands of trees. When we finally reached the top, 4 hours later, it was completely socked in and there were no views. There is really a mailbox on the peak - maybe no official address - but a mailbox none the less. It is filled with interesting little trinkets and such and there is a summit log we signed and dated. After a good, long rest we headed back down with the only 2 other hikers we met that day. It ended up being a much longer day than I had anticipated.
Jun 21 - Mailbox Peak
A note about the Google maps: Because of the way the Google maps work, the marker for the parking lot or trailhead is not always in the right position on the map. However, there is a way to find the exact position. First copy the GPS coordinates from the description below the map. Then click on the word Google in the lower left corner of the map. This opens another window with a full sized map of the area. Paste the coordinates into the search box and hit enter. A red marker appears at the exact coordinates of the parking lot or trailhead. You can also get directions to it by clicking the word "Directions" - just under the box you pasted the coordinates into - and then entering a starting location.