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IBEXtrax.com - Cascade Mountains of Washington StateAlpine Lakes Wilderness, Wenatchee Forest |
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05 050 John B and LeeAnn hike past Vista Lk
From an overnight stay at the horse camp near the outlet of Escondido Lake, the climbers approach their goal of Summit Chief Mountain on firm morning snow. Their Summit Chief approach route took them near frozen Upper Escondido Lakes, close by snow covered Vista Lakes and then through Summit Chief Pass. It was looking to be a wonderfully clear day and the anticipation put a joyful spring in each step.
05 051 LeeAnn follows John B on Summit Chief Mtn
In the spring of seventy-seven we find the climbers on the ascent of Summit Chief Mtn. This largest of the "Chief" formation is located 1.5 mi SW of Dutch Miller Gap. This Gap in NE King County is at the crest of the Cascades near Lake Ivanhoe and the head of the Mid-Fork of the Snoqualmie River. Named for Andrew Jackson Miller. His nickname was Dutch and he claimed and worked the Dutch Miller Mine nearby.
05 052 LeeAnn shows Warren the Cascades on summit Chief
Next to the large surveyor's cairn on top of Summit Chief Mtn, the climbers play name that peak. The experienced climber nods silently as the attractive young student recites the names of distant northern mountains. Off to the east is the dark pyramid of Mt Stuart. Summit Chief Mountain was climbed during a 1925 Mountaineers outing and upon reaching the top, they found no evidence of an earlier ascent. Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area. '77
05 053 LeeAnn on the Crux Summit Chief Mtn
Crab-walk down the crux on Summit Chief Mountain.
05 054 John B LeeAnn Descend Summit Chief Mtn
Plunging down the East slope of Summit Chief Mountain with views of Waptus Lake and Mount Stuart.
05 055 Three Queens from summit Chief Pass
On the descent of Summit Chief Mountain the climbers looked south to see The Three Queens. They had quietly snagged another summit from under the vigilant gaze of the trio of watchers.
05 055 Three Queens from summit Chief Pass
On the descent from Summit Chief Mountain the climbers looked south to see The Three Queens and HiBox Mountain. This view is from Summit Chief Pass.
05 057 Tracks down summit Chief Mtn
The tracks down from Summit Chief Mountain were made with a sliding skating stride. In the noon day sun the snow was just beginning to ball to warn us of increased avalanche danger. We hurried on with haste to get off the steep snow and to get below the snow line.
05 058 Summit Chief Mtn near Vista Lks (257k)
This view near snow covered Vista Lakes shows Summit Chief Mountain peeking through the trees. The fragile alpines zone around Summit Chief Pass had long been a secret secluded haunt for the few who ventured off trail and braved the brushy climb out of either the Waptus or Cooper River drainages. That changed in the late 70s when the Pacific Crest Trail was rerouted through the pass and forever scaring the land.
05 058m Summit Chief Mtn Vista Lakes Map
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