Navigation Activity #4 of 4 - Field Trip

Field trip: Wilderness Navigation Course - Winter

Navigation Activity #4 of 4 - Field Trip - Heybrook Ridge

Seattle Wilderness Navigation Field Trip - Students and instructors COVID small group travels independently on expedited route

  • Moderate
  • Moderate
  • Mileage: 5.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 1,150 ft
  • High Point Elevation: 1,900 ft
  • Pace: 1.5 mph

Meet at 6:30 am at the Heybrook Lookout Trailhead parking area (US Hwy 2, 2 miles east of the turnoff to Index).  Gear up for the weather and ready to  depart no later than 6:50.

Before you can sign up for this Field Trip as a student, you need to first sign up and pay for the Basic Navigation Course and schedule the prerequisite components -- the eLearning Workshop, the Online GPS Module, and the In-Person Workshop.  All three of those components must be finished before the field trip. Instructors do not need to pay the fee for the course.  

Field Trip Details:
This is a 5-6 hour event on a Saturday or Sunday on Heybrook Ridge near the town of Index, WA.  2 fiels trip groups will be hiking independently.  Parking is limited.  COVID guidelines apply--No unnecessary vehicles, please.  

Checklist...

  1. You'll need to be in reasonable physical condition since you'll be gaining about 1150 ft of elevation (roughly one third the elevation for Mount Si) and hiking 5 miles with 0.5 miles being off trail. 
  2. Bring the Required Equipment. Come prepared as you would for a scramble or hike in varied weather, but please leave the technical gear (helmet, ice axe, etc) at home. Bring over-the-ankle high-top boots, a waterproof outer layer, warm clothes in layers, the 10 essentials, lunch, etc. 
  3. Review the Field Trip packet to be emailed 3 days before the trip.  
  4. Bring your compass. Unfortunately you can't share a compass with someone during the Field Trip.  
  5. Bring a GPS and Altimeter - Smartphone with Gaia GPS and standalone altimeter or the altitude function within Gaia GPS.
  6. Bring both USGS Baring and USGS Index maps. Unfortunately you can't share maps with someone during the Field Trip. Fold your maps to the area where we'll be (Heybrook Ridge), and put each map into its own gallon ziplock bag. 
  7. Bring a sharp pencil.
  8. Complete the pre-trip planning document from the eLearning Workshop and leave a copy at home.

You should be prepared for the field trip with the following:

  • Basic Trip Plan completed
  • Know where and when to be at the field trip, and what to bring.
  • Hard copy map of field trip area on hand.  USGS is best, with Caltopo or Gaia paper map printed as backup or to provide to other hikers.
  • Current declination set on the compass and confirmed.
  • Altimeter use & limitations are understood. Ready to calibrate at trailhead.
  • Smartphone loaded with Gaia GPS, and also loaded with Route/Track, Waypoints, Map.
  • Emergency communications procedures and devices are understood.
  • GPS device checked and ready ( batteries, charge, screen display, weather proofing...)
  • Emergency communications on hand (minimum whistle)

Instructors:
Come prepared to instruct students who likely have a wide range of experience:

  1.  Review and bring both your "FT 3.5 Small Group Instructor Handout"  and your "FT 3.5 D3 Small Group SCN notes" . They will be emailed to you  before the field trip.  We will also have paper copies at the field trip.
  2.  Review the "FT 3.5 D1 Small Group student Handout" packet as well. It  will be emailed to you before the field trip.  
  3. Bring your compass, GPS, Altimeter and maps.  If you have one, bring your emergency communicator  (InReach, Garmin,...). If you don't have the USGS maps, check with the trip leader for information about printing your own map of the Heybrook Ridge area.

Badges

Route/Place

Heybrook Lookout & Ridge



  • USGS Baring

    USGS Index

    Green Trails Index No. 142

    Green Trails Alpine Lakes West (Stevens Pass) No. 176S
  • See full route/place details.
Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

See above.

Trip Reports