Basic Alpine Climb - Copper Peak & Mount Fernow

It was to be a super hot weekend in Seattle and in the mountains so we downgraded our mountain plans from Sinister to Copper Peak and Mt Fernow.  After catching the 11:15am Lady of the Lake from Field's Point, we arrived at Lucerne at 1:15pm to catch the Holden Bus at 1:30pm.  After making the necessary adjustments, we crossed Railroad Creek on a bridge and departed Holden around 2:45pm.  Boy, was it hot!We were careful to find the bypass trail that would take us to the Copper Creek Trail.  We now start up the forested Copper Creek Trail that will take us to our destination for the night, Copper Basin at 5600'.The going was rough due to the heat, but thankful most of the trail is in the trees and several streams cross the trail where we can rest and cool off.  We're near the 5600' basin around 5:45pm.  Before reaching the largest and flattest portion of the basin, we leave the trail and drop about 150' looking for a log that we've read about that can take us across Copper Creek.  Too bad it's completely submerged in  fast running water.  We check downstream and find nothing so we head upstream to the wider basin and are able to cross there.   Water is so cold!  We then head back downstream, on the west side of Copper Creek and camp near the submerged log.  Next morning we're off at 4:30am.  We want to beat the heat and some may want to attempt Mt Fernow on the same day.    We're in the burned area almost immediately and it's steep.  We bumped into Mountaineer, Eileen K at Lucerne so she joined us for the night.  But she was soon off solo at her much faster pace.  Looking back at the burned area we just passed through.  Buckskin Mtn above.Soon the East Face is visible in the morning light and we can see our route.    Although not really needed, I stop to put on crampons while others wait till further up.Taking a break while the temps are still comfortable - 5:30am.Arriving below the SE glacier.  We're able to avoid the few crevasses we see and will go across those slabs.

Heading for the slabs.

Off the glacier at about 7400'.  The NE Ridge is clearly in sight.  The summit is behind that pyramid shaped peak.The crampons go off at about 8200' and it's all rock scrambling from here.  Andrea does a great job leading the way.On top of the NE Ridge  with the summit in view.One of the more exposed class 4 moves on the ridge.  We brought a rope, but did not use.Getting closer.Summit success at 10:15am and what stunning views on this clear day.  Glacier Peak looming large.Bonanza and Martin in your face.Holden below.Mt Fernow just across with Rainier peaking out in the distance.The temperature was very pleasant on the summit so we stayed for about 45minutes before departing.   Slowly we head down the ridge.

Back on snow and back to our camp 10 hrs later.  Definitely a leisurely day for us, but that's how we like it.The next day, co-leader Sharon C and the 2 others went to summit Mt Fernow.  I decided to stay in camp since I had done it before.  What a luxury that was.  On Monday we departed camp early to catch the 10:45am bus to Lucerne.   We again went up river to cross.It was quick getting back to Holden where we waited a hour for the bus and then waited at Lucerne for the Lady Express which was half hour late.  Some swam in the lake and we reunited with Eileen in Holden who had gone to do Martin on Sunday.   Back at Field's Point around 2:30pm.  Hot, hot, hot!  108 in Seattle that day, a record breaker.  Think we had it better in the mountains than being in Seattle.  Great trip with some of my favorite mountain peeps and Bulger #82 for me.

My GAIA read  9.72 miles/5967' gain for Copper Peak.

Rochelle's GAIA read 15.2 miles/9478' gain for Copper and Fernow.