You know how it goes. In the winter we snowshoe. In the summer we backpack. In the fall we hike. And in the spring... well... it depends. Surprise snowstorms can extend snowshoe season. Warm weather can hurry the melt. Of greatest import is the avalanche danger.
After what seemed like a long time waiting, the conditions have finally improved enough for us to start back into the high country. Since it's May (at least when this adventure took place if not when I'm writing about it), it seemed appropriate to climb one of my favorite late spring peaks.
Down low, as expected, the trail was bare and the creek crossing were a little spicy. We made good time until it got steep. We lost the trail under deep snow before finding it again after our little off-trail adventure. Once we got to the top of the south facing slope it was continuous snow to the summit.
Tinkham did great, of course, and the boy crushed every part of this. Since climbing Mt. St. Helens he's been gung ho for more and this fit the bill perfectly. He got to play on rocks, kick my butt up the steeps, and even sneak in a couple little glissades from the summit.
Plus we did some SCIENCE! and tried out some sweet new gear. What more could you ask for from an early Sunday morning adventure?
📍On the lands of the Snoqualmie people.
