Bayley Stejer
The annual gold rush has come and gone... and I'm happy to report that our Mountaineers didn't miss a single second of it. Read on, dear friends, for photogenic clouds, berry snackfests, knee-deep pow, salmon-egg slime molds, yummy yellows, and a whole host of shoulder-season sagas.
Stewardship - Church Creek–Satsop Lakes - 9/28
“After this and our previous work in August on the east side, the Church Creek Trail is now free of obstructions from the Satsop Lake trailhead on the west to the Church Creek trailhead in the Skokomish drainage on the east.” - Mike Forsyth
Starting strong with a bonus September trip report to celebrate the stewardship efforts of 15 Mountaineers who restored full access to the west side of the Church Creek trail.
Day Hike - Tunnel Creek to Surprise Creek - 10/2
“We had a fantastic time out in nature today.” - Souparno Lodh
An early October day hike aka a blueberry and huckleberry snackfest with a side of switchbacks, surprise lakes, slippery roots, and satisfying fall colors.
Naturalist - Barclay Lake - 10/4
“It's a short hike and can be enjoyed rain or shine.” - Donna Rooke
A decidedly damp day at Barclay Lake delivered ferns, mosses, lichens, salmon-egg slime molds, and a plethora of other fantastic fungi.
Canyon - Silver Creek - 10/5
“Fun fall day in the canyons! ” - Monica Hansen
Highlights of this trip report include three repels, two jumps, one slide, and a whole day of five-star canyoning fun.
Basic Rock Climb - Liberty Bell/Southwest Face - 10/8
“Couldn’t have asked for a better way to soak in the season.” -Doug Brittain
A crispy fall climb complete with photogenic clouds, a sea of larches, helmets, harnesses, and five Mountaineers in high spirits.
Day Hike - Cutthroat Pass - 10/8
“Fabulous sights in every direction!” - Donna Rooke
Read on for gold rush glory... this time at Cutthroat Pass.
Alpine Scramble - Big Jim Mountain - 10/14
"We even had the luck of encountering the first layer of snow on the upper mountain turning everything into a winter wonderland." - Tobias Bajwa
Mountaineers are no strangers to a finicky fall. Watch as seasons collide to offer both larches and knee-deep pow on Big Jim.
Alpine Scramble - Hidden Lake Peaks Lookout - 10/14
“By 5000' we were in 6 to 8" deep snow but following a clear boot path where the trail normally is.” - Jim Griffing
A powder hound's early-season dream on full display at Hidden Lake Peaks Lookout.
Whitewater Packraft - Deschutes River - 10/11-14
“A great trip with fun all around and the chance to push ourselves on some more difficult rapids.” - Alex Bond
Tune in as a crew of paddlers set off on the Deschutes, unsure if they'll find rapids or leisure around the next bend.
Day Hike - Granite Creek Trail- 10/28
“A trip with near perfect conditions for a larger group” -Courtenay Schurman
Read on for the freezing foliage, slick slush, surprising lack of treefall, and yummy yellows that made for a happy shoulder season adventure on Granite Creek Trail.
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!
