We had intended to hike from Box Canyon to Indian Bar and back and ended up hiking Stevens Canyon Trail to the Wonderland Trail to where it crosses Stevens Canyon road just past Martha Falls and back. The totals were 11.75 miles and 2755 feet of elevation gain. We had set out to do 16 miles and over 5000 feet of elevation, but since it was drizzling and then raining we were happy with our effort.
The trail was very pretty. We didn't get any long views, but the light was nice for the pictures we got. There were some sketchy log bridges, a washout in a steep section and some great waterfalls.
Not happy with under 12 miles on Labor Day weekend after we managed about 42 miles and 12,750 feet of elevation gain last year we joined Sherrie and Rob at Sunrise to bag a couple of peaks.
I was quickly reminded that the weather is a little different at 6400 feet of altitude than at sea level. It was in the upper 30's with a stiff breeze when we headed off to hike up Skyscraper Mountain. I was in my normal summer hiking shorts which was pretty cold until the sun broke through.
We made the distance to Skyscraper quickly and made the summit easily. I claimed it for the Benevolent Kingdom of the good king Paullie Paullie which is customary on summits. We had some great shots of Freemont Lookout and Mountain which was our next destination.
By the time we were on the trail to Freemont the clouds had settled down on us. We hit the lookout first for some pictures and then headed up a couple hundred feet of elevation gain to Freemont Mountain Summit.
We decided on the way down that a third peak wasn't in the cards so we left McNeeley for another day and headed down. We managed 11.44 miles and 3044 feet of elevation gain making our weekend respectable at 23.19 miles and 5799 feet of elevation gain.
Now we are getting packed up for 2 hikes on Mt St Helens, Mt Defiance (Oregon) and PCT days at Cascade Locks including a little trail maintenance on the Pacific Crest Trail.
Be very well and more soon.....
