Last Thursday I made a try for Tanner Butte via the Eagle Creek TH in the Columbia Gorge. The weather was bitterly cold but the sky was clear and the day was perfect for an epic adventure in the Cascades. Views from Mt Adams to Mt Hood were enjoyed from my turnaround point:
a by Sean Lawson, on Flickr
Hardly a step of the near 20 miles covered that day was on bare ground. I brought spikes but never had to use them and was able to just boot up to Wauna Camp around 2,800 feet. Thankfully PH legend Jordan and his friend Andrew had tracked about a mile or so past Wauna and had camped the night before. Without their tracks I would have never made it too far down the ridge:
b by Sean Lawson, on Flickr
aaaa by Sean Lawson, on Flickr
Once over 4k the snow was several feet deep and exhausting to break trail in. It was pretty awesome to be all alone up there though
d by Sean Lawson, on Flickr
ddd by Sean Lawson, on Flickr
After gassing out and floundering in the snow like a large water buffalo for a few miles I left the old road grade and climbed up to a little open spot on the ridge. The east wind was brutal after cresting the ridge but the incredible views of a frozen Hatfield Wilderness and two of the High Cascades most majestic peaks made it all worth the effort:
bbb by Sean Lawson, on Flickr
bbbbbb by Sean Lawson, on Flickr
aaaaa by Sean Lawson, on Flickr
A windswept crust made for easier walking due to the eastern exposure:
ccccc by Sean Lawson, on Flickr
And the sun felt great:
cccc by Sean Lawson, on Flickr
Here's a look over the Eagle Creek Canyon with Chinidere, Tomlike and even Defiance on display, all of which looked pretty stunning in their winter garb:
e by Sean Lawson, on Flickr
Adams also looked beautiful as it stood in contrast to the very flat topped Benson Plateau:
dddd by Sean Lawson, on Flickr
After a brief lunch on the ridge and lots of gawking at the outstanding views I took back to the woods, picked up the trail and played naturalist as I followed some bobcat tracks that had been poking around looking for rabbit. I must have circled some two dozen trees the cat had investigated looking for a winter meal:
dd by Sean Lawson, on Flickr
I made the long trek back to the fish hatchery under more blue sky while admiring the sun dappled snow through the tree tops on Tanner Ridge. Part of me had contemplated trying to make the eagle-tanner loop but seeing Don's photos I'm glad I chose to save that for another day Escaped back to the TH just before dark and zoomed home after another unforgettable adventure in the Columbia River Gorge.
Adventure on Tanner Ridge
- retired jerry
- Posts: 14417
- Joined: May 28th, 2008, 10:03 pm
Re: Adventure on Tanner Ridge
Impressive trip with all that snow.
That would be a nice spot to camp out.
That would be a nice spot to camp out.
Re: Adventure on Tanner Ridge
Thx Sean for the nice photos - looks like it was a great day. I'm not clear - did you summit Tanner Butte?
--Paul
--Paul
The future's uncertain and the end is always near.
- Don Nelsen
- Posts: 4380
- Joined: May 28th, 2008, 10:03 pm
- Location: Vancouver, WA
Re: Adventure on Tanner Ridge
Very nice photos, Sean. Impressive hike, too! Thanks.
dn
dn
"Everything works in the planning stage" - Kelly
"If you don't do it this year, you will be one year older when you do" - Warren Miller
"If you don't do it this year, you will be one year older when you do" - Warren Miller
Re: Adventure on Tanner Ridge
You got a wonderful winter sun break. Amazing slog . . . I assume this was to the open point on the saddle before you get to Tanner Butte?
Re: Adventure on Tanner Ridge
Great pictures Sean. Heck of a hike. Sure am glad to see you posting again, I have missed your TR's.
Re: Adventure on Tanner Ridge
Beautiful! I always love your trip reports.
Re: Adventure on Tanner Ridge
Nice work Sean! Those pics are just spectacular. Thanks for the report.
- Sean Thomas
- Posts: 1647
- Joined: February 25th, 2012, 11:33 pm
Re: Adventure on Tanner Ridge
Thanks all! I didn't make the butte(something about being saggy) but instead turned around at the spot Bobcat mentioned. It was pretty magnificent up there!
Re: Adventure on Tanner Ridge
Nicely done, Sean! And good to see you back, posting TRs