Day Hike - Mount Townsend

Meet at the Olympic National Forest Office:

1835 Black Lake Blvd SW, Olympia, WA 98512

TIME:  06:30 am

OR

at the upper Mount Townsen trailhead -if you are going to meet us at the trailhead, please make sure you've communicated that to me.

TIME: 08:30

Greetings fellow Mountaineers,

WARNING: This trip will not be a fair weather hike; inclement weather expected in the form of sleet/snow and moderate winds. Higher elevation, especially towards the summit, will have snow.

If you are a fair weather hiker, this trip is not for you. It will be wet and cold, and once exposed to the ridgeline, the winds will drop the temperature even more.

 That said, if your looking for experience travelling in inclement weather, then this trip is for you.

REQUIRED GEAR:

• Microspikes –we may encounter ice on the ridgeline.

• 10 essentials

RECOMMENDED GEAR:

• Insulated vacuum bottle with hot liquid –I bring hot broth; coffee/tea works too.

• Hand warmers

• Bring a change of cloths to leave in the car at the trailhead

SUNRISE/SUNSET

7:12 AM PST / 4:38 PM PST

Weather:

[http://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Mount-Townsend-2/forecasts/1914]

NOAA (forcast is for the lowlands)

Rain. High near 51. Light north northeast wind. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Itinerary

Saturday November 14th

06:30 Depart Olympia (Forest Service HQ Black Lake)

08:30 Arrive Mt. Townsend Trailhead

08:45 Start ascend to Mt. Townsend

12:00 Reach Mt. Townsend landing

12:30 Summit

12:30-13:00 Lunch

13:00 Depart (descend)

16:00 Arrive back to trailhead

Bring microspikes & trekking poles.

If the group is up for it, I'd like to do the whole ridge.

Prepare for a long day, and potentially hiking out in the dark. Pace is always dependent on the group, with the intent to keep the group together.