May 3, 2011, Mt. Washington, Approach/Road update
5/3/11
WA Cascades East Slopes North
1459
1
Sorry, this is a mix of a TR and road update, not sure where to put it and I hope the info is useful to someone.
I approached Mt. Washingtons NNE flank via FS 2401. My plan was to scout out and maybe start the climb of route 6 (CGOM) to the basin. Snow started @ 1500 and about 1 mile before Jefferson Lake. Snow was intermittent for about 2 mile (no more than 5min hiking at a time), leaving the last 1.5 mi pure skinning. Lots of up and down on the road, not a nice easy ski-out. The idea of the trek back after climbing and skiing kept me from pushing further which was probably for the best. On the way back, I noticed a large wet slide that went just below the nose down about 700 which was not present on my approach. The whole basin is quite filled in between the nose and the cliffs on that aspect with a chute to the east of the cliff that is still full. I think in a few weeks the chute to the east of the cliffs may start to have some rocks poke through. The basin right below the approach already was getting marshy if you left the snow. Right now the approach will keep you dry, but I wonder how difficult it will be with more melt-out . The day did not go exactly as planned, but it was sure gorgeous!
Anyone approaching off of FS 24, there is a major washout before it joins with FS 2401, which I was stopped by and had to redirect to FS 25. (The chamber of commerce worker @ Quilcene ranger station was not helpful in avoiding this problem, best to stick with one of the rangers, or so I learned).
Out of curiosity I drove out FS 25, which was washed out about 1.5 mi past the Lena Lake TH. If you have better ground clearance than a Saturn sedan, I would bet it is doable. Looks like more of the south east Olympics should be more approachable soon.
I have some pictures of the NE side if anyone is interested.
I approached Mt. Washingtons NNE flank via FS 2401. My plan was to scout out and maybe start the climb of route 6 (CGOM) to the basin. Snow started @ 1500 and about 1 mile before Jefferson Lake. Snow was intermittent for about 2 mile (no more than 5min hiking at a time), leaving the last 1.5 mi pure skinning. Lots of up and down on the road, not a nice easy ski-out. The idea of the trek back after climbing and skiing kept me from pushing further which was probably for the best. On the way back, I noticed a large wet slide that went just below the nose down about 700 which was not present on my approach. The whole basin is quite filled in between the nose and the cliffs on that aspect with a chute to the east of the cliff that is still full. I think in a few weeks the chute to the east of the cliffs may start to have some rocks poke through. The basin right below the approach already was getting marshy if you left the snow. Right now the approach will keep you dry, but I wonder how difficult it will be with more melt-out . The day did not go exactly as planned, but it was sure gorgeous!
Anyone approaching off of FS 24, there is a major washout before it joins with FS 2401, which I was stopped by and had to redirect to FS 25. (The chamber of commerce worker @ Quilcene ranger station was not helpful in avoiding this problem, best to stick with one of the rangers, or so I learned).
Out of curiosity I drove out FS 25, which was washed out about 1.5 mi past the Lena Lake TH. If you have better ground clearance than a Saturn sedan, I would bet it is doable. Looks like more of the south east Olympics should be more approachable soon.
I have some pictures of the NE side if anyone is interested.
Definitely a trip report. Thanks for checking it out.
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