 |
| 8,441 feet |
Getting There
Wow. What an adventure! Total travel time was 3 hrs from my places to the trailhead. Google estimated 2h30m and Apple had it at 3h30m.
I took I-84 east to Hood River and crossed the Columbia River. Turn N onto WA-141 N to Trout Lake. From there, take Mt Adams Road to NF-80. To this point, I was on pavement but when you get to NF-8040, that's when the "fun" begins. It's about 3-4 miles of washboard. Ack! Brutal on my Jeep, esp after a rough spring and summer with multiple visits to the mechanic for a variety of issues. I tried to weave through at around 5-10 MPH but it was relentless.
I was actually relieved to get to a sign that said Rough Road Ahead. The next 3-4 miles was rutted and deep holes. More than once I second guessed my choice to come out there. I passed a guy that was camping right on the road. I tried to keep the dust down and said "good morning."
I took my time and hoped I would have another car coming down and we'd have to squeeze past each other. Ultimately, I had the road to myself.
At Morrison Creek Campground there's a gooseneck turn and the road changes to NF-500. This is the final stretch and it got even more interesting. There's a snow gate and sign that warns the road from there is steep and narrow. "Please no cars coming down!" There weren't but a couple dozen deep trenches for erosion control. Fortunately, I negotiated them just fine and never bottomed out.
Near the top, I saw a Suburban in my mirrors. I figured I'd pull over and let them pass. I was being extra cautious. A few turns later the Cold Springs Campground came into view. The trailhead is on the left and there's additional parking near the campground. The Suburban took the last spot so I continued a bit further and found a spot. Whew! I made it.
The Hike
Elev. gain: 2,838 ft
Moving time: 4:02:06
Avg pace: 33:20
Calories: 2,440
Total time: 5:12:34
The air was brisk. I put on my long-sleeved shirt over my hiking shirt. I knew I wasn't summiting but considered taking at least 1/2 the water in the 6L bag. Two teens from the Suburban were taking turns using the vault toilet while the rest of their crew got ready.
I locked everything up and set out. I stopped at the trailhead, a bit surprised there wasn't a Sign In book like at Climber's Bivouac. I chitchatted with the family of 5 and we all set out. Within 100 ft, they stopped to let me pass. I wished them a good hike and zoomed past.
At Morrison Creek you reach the timberline. It's 1200 ft of elevation gain over 2.2 miles. Not bad. It's a decent trail but really rocky. Fortunately, there's a dirt path that weaves through the rocks.
I missed the trail and started climbing up instead of crossing the creek. I pulled out the map and rerouted. I could hear the family 100 yards behind me.
The trail climbs through rocks and a stand of trees. It's 1/2 miles and about 500 ft. I passed a woman and her dog and then, another woman and her dad. The trail is well-marked with lodge poles. There are signs that say the route varies in different conditions so I just sighted a lodgepole and chose a route to it.
It wasn't terribly difficult but slow going due to the terrain. Eventually, you're out of the trees and making your way up to Lunch Counter.
At several of the lodge poles there were rocky clearings for camping. It reminded me of the rock walls on Wind Mountain but in this case their for bivouacking on the climbing route.
A bit further up a white mountain goat was foraging in the rocks but by the time I was adjacent to it, the fella was resting and looking around.
I finally reached a lodge pole and large patch of snow. It seemed the trail went right through it. Lunch Counter was still another 900 ft of elevation and 0.7 miles above me. About then, the family of 5 from the Suburban arrived there as well.
 |
| 8,441 feet |
I saw a path of footprints in the snow but decided to take a rest and eat my sandwich. I wasn't sure if the snow was stable and if there were soft spots to be concerned about. I would have had to find some tracks to be more confident.
The family said they only had 3 sets of crampons for 5 people and that this was likely as far as they were going to go. They told me the woman and her dad had camped somewhere around here.
After I ate, I wandered to the edge of the snow and realized the foot tracks were not fresh. Hmm. There must be a path that skirted around the snow patch. I picked up some trash and when I got up, I was a bit light-headed. Definitely, not quite acclimated to the altitude.
While I didn't quite reach Lunch Counter, I was glad to have reached this point. Definitely need a bit more experience to summit this mountain but it's not out of reach. I have most of year to get ready and maybe find a climbing partner.
Successful day. I chitchatted with the parents for awhile and talked a lot about Mt St Helens and my volunteer role.
I knew I had a bit a climb down and then a long drive on that rough road so I set out down the mountain.
Actually, the descent was a bit easier. I'd got a little offtrack near my stopping point and it was easier to stay on the trail seeing it from the downward perspective.
After 100 yards I looked back at where I'd come from and noticed a pair of climbers crossing the snow patch. They were higher up than where I'd stopped.
Eventually they caught up and passed me as I snaked through a stand of trees. They had camping gear, helmets, crampons, ice picks, and Scarpa Climbing boots. Yep. I've read trail reports of people doing the climb in trail runners and microspikes but that probably comes with years of experience.
Down by Morrison Creek, they were stopped. One of them was changing out of the heavy-duty boots and putting on open-toed sandals. Brave soul. I would have stubbed my toes in 10 feet. It's why I love my Keen sandals with the toe guard!
I passed some day hikers that were exploring off the trail and two sets of climbers that were decked out in the all the necessary gear.
The Drive Down
Again, I was concerned about having to negotiate around cars that were coming up the road but fortunately I didn't happen on the narrow, steep section.
At a wide section, I pulled over when I saw two cars coming down the road behind me. It was a sedan and those two climbers I'd seen on my descent in a lifted pickup. There was one car coming up, a Subaru. The driver and I waved at each other.
At Morrison Creek Campground, I took a spin around.
I made it through the erosion control trenches and ruts & holes. I hated reaching the washboards. It sucked. I thought about my poor Jeep taking the abuse. I keep the speed down to 5-10 mph but still it vibrated the vehicle. At wider spots I tried an S pattern so that the 4 wheels were hitting the lateral ruts at different times. I noticed my phone in its mount on the dashboard was shaking less violently. A few trucks came up the road and one guy on a motorcycle with no helmet.
I was so relieved to see my navigation app (Google) show NF-80 in 1.4 miles. That meant pavement. I watched the distanced to it decrease until I saw the junction. So happy to be on pavement.
Maybe when I do the climb, I'll advocate to take my future climbing partner's car!!
