Cousin Ryan, the dogs, and I started in the dark from an empty trailhead. Reports indicated that even at this crazy early hour, the larchiest of trailheads about 10 miles further up the valley was already packed solid. (The cars would eventually extend more than a mile from the actual trailhead.) As usual, I chose a place that I figured few other people would go, but would still be wonderful.

The ground was sparkly with frost and when our headlamps swung across the trees on the sides of the trail we were treated to pops of bright color. It's fall, all right. It finally got light as we continued our slog up a little creek. Nothing special here so we didn't miss much in the dark.

At the first split in the trail we continued straight. The second split we held steady. Soon we emerged into a wide basin. A single tent was tucked in the trees. The sun was still an hour or two from warming its occupants. Our trail continued up getting steeper and steeper until we gained the ridge.

Totally worth it. Not that it's ever not worth it, but sometimes it's worth it more than other times. This was one of those times. The ridge let us see snow-covered peaks to the north that formed the boundary of the Enchantments and we could even pick out the peak we'd climbed a few years ago. Sadly, the Enchantments were out of reach this day, but at least we could climb this big ol' pile of rock and stand on some snow!

Except, dang, that pile of rock was gnarly. The trail showed a route right over the top yet there was no route we could find. Instead, we scrambled and hoisted the dogs. Phew. That was tougher than it should have been. But the views... did I mention it was worth it?

The other side of the peak wasn't nearly as sketchy and had a boatload more snow. Plus we were hiking directly toward the jagged line of peaks ahead of us so it was all good. Rather than returning the way we had come (the original plan) we opted to skip the scramble and take a longer, easier route down.

Along the way we saw larches, a feline's footprints, and some old timey hiking friends. What a surprise that the types of folks I learned to hike with would also be trying to escape the crowds.

In total, we saw perhaps five parties on their way up the trail. Quite the contrast to the hundreds or thousands on the larchier trail up the valley. I won't deny it, that area is wonderful, but when there are so many people there it loses some of its luster. I think we'll keep sticking to the less popular places for our wilderness experiences.

📍On the lands of the Wenatchi people.