Shelby Olson
Bursting blossoms, migratory birds, and majestic mountain views have put a spring in everyone’s step this April. Read on, dear friends, for a warm welcome to the spring season in this month’s top trip reports.
Basic Snowshoe - Reflection Lakes - 4/4
“We started the weekend off right on this trail to Reflection Lakes with The Mountaineers from Tacoma.” -Lisa Elliott
This route may have been short, but its views of Paradise were nothing short of glorious. Read on for picnic blankets of snow, bear tracks, and a stellar showcasing of the Tatoosh Range.
Alpine Climb - Mount Hood/South Side - 4/5
“I saw almost nothing but smiles on everyone's faces.” -Martin Fisher
In a shining example of how trip reports begets trip reports, this climber was drawn to Mt. Hood by a glowing report he read on the snow conditions. Read on if you need a boost: the good attitudes described on the Chute will restore your faith in humanity. And perhaps this trip report will inspire another!
Naturalist Trip - Ginkgo Petrified Forest - 4/11
“The area had burned and much of the sagebrush was gone, now replaced by a cheatgrass prairie.” -Thomas Bancroft
Anyone searching for a free geology lesson is in luck. This trip report delivers a detailed narrative of how lava flow and flooding worked together over millions of years to form this region. This report doesn’t just highlight the unique features of the basin - it also beautifully exemplifies the practice of leaving no trace, which sometimes looks like brushing your boots when you leave to prevent the spread of seeds.
Packraft - Cispus River: Twin Cedars to Lake Scanewa - 4/13
“There really were no slow boring sections.” - Logan DeGrand
Not a single dull moment on this packraft, which according to this trip report may as well have counted as an official swim event. One boater was surprised by a hole, resulting in “over 500ft” of swimming (the longest swim the leader had ever witnessed).
Naturalist Trip - Oxbow Lake Loop - 4/15
“This was the first naturalist trip to a relatively new trail in the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie.” - Danielle Graham
This group spent five hours on this two-mile loop, in true naturalist fashion. With a species list as impressive as this one, all we can say is: time well-spent! Read on for a colorful collection of observations made by a naturalist dream team (and be sure not to miss the Pencil Script Lichen).
Day Hike - Bridle Trails State Park - 4/15
“Fun birds and great people.” -Courtenay Schurman
Aspiring birders take note: this trip report demonstrates how choosing an early start time makes for a more peaceful birding environment, and even recommends the best listening spots on the trail. With 26 bird species, including “the first Rufous hummingbird of the season,” a pleasant sampler of plants, “traces” of horses, and a small army of dogs, this trail must have felt more like a menagerie.
Intermediate Alpine Climb - Mount Hood/Leuthold Couloir - 4/18
“Devil's Kitchen is open for business.” - Isley Gao
We revisit Mt. Hood just a few weeks later in this trip report, which shows just how easily conditions can change. If wind gusts strong enough to shake the car didn't initially deter this group, the blast that blew away their Sno-Park pass was as clear a hindrance as any. The group tried again the next day and completed their grand tour of the mountain’s natural features, including a stop to see what was cooking in Devil’s Kitchen.
Day Hike - Mount Rose - 4/20
“A fun scramble conditioner, complete with some adventure hiking, no rain, and a watermelon!!!” - Ron Jones
These hikers got their 6.5 hours worth of a 6.5-mile challenge in partial snowmelt. Read on for how one participant got innovative with their pack-weight and created a whole new conditioning incentive.
Alpine Scramble - Philadelphia Mountain - 4/22
“This was harder than expected.” -Tobias Bajwa
A scenic toilet and a “potpourri of obstacles” kept this scrambling expedition interesting. For various reasons, this trip report couldn’t show us the majesty of using “the throne,” but it certainly does feature killer shots of Lake Serene and Index.
Basic Alpine Climb - South Early Winter Spire/Southwest Couloir - 4/26
“A very pleasant day climbing an attractive mountain in a beautiful area.” - Stephen Sugiyama
It turns out if you look up “efficiency,” this trip report comes up in results. In two teams, this crew climbed to the top of the couloir in one long running belay. The way down may have required some more time and patience, but it was worth it for these gorgeous views of the North Cascades.
Want to see more top trip reports? Check out our Top Trip Reports Library to get ideas for next week, next month, or next year!
