quick and dirty route info: drive to mowich lake, hike to tolmie lookout and then take ridge e to tolmie peak, hike trail back down to 5800', then descend n, then nw on easy terrain to howard. head n and take moderately steep n ridge to howard/rust ridge saddle. from saddle ascend ne up rust ridge wsw ridge to summit. return to howard. head west down howard's w ridge (going up and over howard jr aka5538) and up to alki crest aka pt5255. continue nw along crest to florence peak.
The ice climb is in, at least for now.
A successful climb for a party of 12.
Nice view of Enumclaw and Buckley, which made up for the clouded-over view of Rainier itself.
Great hike for anyone who wants to improve their hiking endurance. I am a beginner-intermediate hiker and I found this to be a challenge because of the incline. The reward was the beautiful lake at the end!
We practiced navigation exercises simulating fog for the crossings.
Surreal Tokaloo Rock formations plus a great conditioner with cooler temperatures.
Fabulous scramble, we will be back!
A successful scramble, even with all the smoke from the fires.
Beautiful trip to Big Heart Lake spread out over a three day weekend
Some open holes and lots of rock fall on the way up to the saddle where you meet the cool glacier. Crossing onto the cool is over seracs, and the Cool has plenty of open holes. Otherwise easy access, summit is snow free.
Great sunny day could not have been better. Temperature too hot. Great views.
Make no mistake: This Leader is a tour de force- superlative. Richard Bell should be nominated as Backpack Leader of the Year. No matter what trip or where he goes - it will be an incredible experience. Extra bonus - his nicely themed evening chats.
The dry hot weather in beautiful Goat Rocks Wilderness didn't hold us back from enjoying views of volcanoes, lake, waterfall, and tons and tons of fellow backpackers.
A long, but not technically challenging, scramble at Mt Rainier NP.
Successful summit.
Our group backpacked from Mowich Lake to Eunice Lake and then on to Tolmie Peak. From there, we took Ipsut Pass to the Ipsut Creek Campground. This trip includes stunning views- sapphire blue lakes, a fire lookout, and waterfalls.
Overnight trip camping in Tokaloo alpine zone, including scrambles of Andrews and Tokaloo, plus hike of Aurora, and some biking.
Due too new East Crater Fire long the PCT we evacuated out of Indian Heaven Wilderness Sunday morning.
Late August climb of Mount Baker/Easton Glacier.