Breakfast with the Mountain Goats on Langille Ridge: 7-2-14

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Sean Thomas
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Breakfast with the Mountain Goats on Langille Ridge: 7-2-14

Post by Sean Thomas » July 6th, 2014, 10:14 pm

I had another awesome adventure in the Dark Divide Roadless Area last Wednesday with an unforgettable trip up to Langille Ridge. Langille Ridge is one of the lesser visited highlights of the area and boasts some amazing views from its namesake highpoint, Langille Peak. It's also a favorite hangout for the Mountain Goats:


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To reach the TH I drove out the White Pass Scenic Byway to Randle and headed south on 23 towards the Cispus Learning Center. After following Forest Road 28 up the Yellowjacket Creek Canyon I turned onto 2809 and drove the somewhat sketchy spur to the new "TH" at roads end just 1.1 miles from the junction with 28. The trailhead is located about 1.3 miles further up the road. I was lucky enough to capture a few photos of a Pika that had made its home in a rocky slope just above the roadway:


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There were things in the way


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The old TH sign had been knocked down by a tree this past winter so I cleaned things up a bit:


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The trail gains quite a bit of eg to get up near the peak and can be difficult to walk in due to the deep ruts created by past motorcycle use:


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Starflower was blooming in the woods on the way up:


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Once I reached a saddle just se of the peak I headed up to the ridge top on a goat trail. Pretty soon I popped out into the open with great views of Langille Peak, and a bunch of white dots just below the rocky summit!


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Lets take a closer look:


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It was a sight to cherish as the kids, just born in spring, bounced around the rocks bumping into mom with such playful delight. They kept well aware of me but never seemed too bothered:


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They continued up toward the true summit with the beauty of Mt Ranier looming large in the background:


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Two of them actually went right over the edge and ended up just below me giving a very goat like stare:


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After about an hour eating breakfast just down the ridge from the goats I did a little more exploring as thing started to burn off:


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The slopes in this area are covered in pumice from the Mt St Helens eruption over 34 years ago:


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Cut Leaved Daisies were in bloom all over the place:


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Lets see how the goats are doing :)


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Butterfly going to work on what I think is Silverleaf Phacelia:


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Moving on from the goats on Langille I dropped back down and continued south on the trail toward McCoy Peak. But not for long as I opted to stay on the ridge instead of crossing over to the east side on the trail. Looking back toward Langille Peak on the back left:



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The view looking south down the ridge:


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Mt Ranier from the ridge:


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Ok, im up here for like an hour and who knows long this goat has been staring at me, now im just creeped out :lol:


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Goat Rocks in the distance:


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Scarlet Gilia was in bloom:


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As well as Cascade Mariposa Lily:


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Mt Adams was framed perfectly by Sunrise and Jumbo Peaks:


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Life was good:


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Noble fir and Mt Adams:


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Pollinating a Mountain Ash:


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On my way back I couldnt resist another trip up Langille to see if the goats were still around. No goats but some more great views, Goat Rocks and Juniper Peak:


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Closeup on Juniper Peak:


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A look back up toward the summit, better lighting at this time of day:


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A couple more of the cutleaved daisies in the afternoon sun:


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After the drop back down to the old Th and eventually the car I stretched and headed for home. But that only lasted so long as I had to stop to explore a small falls in the yellowjacket drainage just off road 28. What a day!


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BrianEdwards
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Re: Breakfast with the Mountain Goats on Langille Ridge: 7-2

Post by BrianEdwards » July 6th, 2014, 10:28 pm

What a day with the goats. Quite a few of 'em in that group. They live in the most rugged of places. But then again, am I really surprised to find Sean Thomas hangin out with em in their home territory? :P

Nice 'little' waterfall finale
Clackamas River Waterfall Project - 95 Documented, 18 to go.

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kepPNW
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Re: Breakfast with the Mountain Goats on Langille Ridge: 7-2

Post by kepPNW » July 7th, 2014, 5:29 am

Your TRs are always fascinating and fun to read. But this photo/caption...
Sean Thomas wrote:Ok, im up here for like an hour and who knows long this goat has been staring at me, now im just creeped out :lol:
... truly cracked me up! :lol:
Karl
Back on the trail, again...

justpeachy
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Re: Breakfast with the Mountain Goats on Langille Ridge: 7-2

Post by justpeachy » July 7th, 2014, 6:28 am

Awesome! You got some great wildlife shots, especially of those pikas! Those little buggers are really difficult to capture on camera.

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K.Wagner
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Re: Breakfast with the Mountain Goats on Langille Ridge: 7-2

Post by K.Wagner » July 7th, 2014, 6:40 am

Sean,

Another great TR! You seem to have the knack for getting the goat pics!

I thought I recalled reading in your TR last year that you tried to do that north ridge of McCoy but got stopped by cliffs, but this report made it look cleaner than the trail (which from what I've read wouldn't be hard to do!)

Planning to take the group from Snohomish County up there in about 5 weeks.
Kelly
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rainrunner
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Re: Breakfast with the Mountain Goats on Langille Ridge: 7-2

Post by rainrunner » July 7th, 2014, 6:51 am

WOW ! In addition to the massive miles you put in and the enormous trees you move, you must have a lot of miles on your car?? Nice trail report full of wildlife. Thanks!
The mountains are calling and I must go.
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CraigG
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Re: Breakfast with the Mountain Goats on Langille Ridge: 7-2

Post by CraigG » July 7th, 2014, 8:22 am

Fantastic TR Sean! What a fun read! Thank you for sharing it.

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sprengers4jc
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Re: Breakfast with the Mountain Goats on Langille Ridge: 7-2

Post by sprengers4jc » July 7th, 2014, 11:45 am

Awesome, Sean! I love the pictures of Rainier looming and all the goats. I would like to recommend a sequel to 2009's 'The Men Who Stare at Goats.' We will call this one 'The Goats Who Stare at Men' and it will star Sean Thomas in the leading role. How's that sound? :D
'We travel not to escape life but for life to not escape us.'
-Unknown

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Peabody
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Re: Breakfast with the Mountain Goats on Langille Ridge: 7-2

Post by Peabody » July 7th, 2014, 5:54 pm

What's better than actually hiking? Reading a Sean Thomas trip report!
The photo of the goats with Rainier looming large is just gorgeous. Calender cover worthy.
What camera do you use?
Creepy goat is probably wondering if you're the one that jacked his left horn
"I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.”
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pablo
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Re: Breakfast with the Mountain Goats on Langille Ridge: 7-2

Post by pablo » July 7th, 2014, 8:10 pm

Once again, a standing O for a Sean Thomas trip report. Really great photos, narrative, location. Wow!

--Paul
The future's uncertain and the end is always near.

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