Table Mountain from 2020 - 7-10-2018

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dmthomas49
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Table Mountain from 2020 - 7-10-2018

Post by dmthomas49 » July 11th, 2018, 8:12 am

On Tuesday, I did this hike coming from the North on Table Mountain ridge using road 2020. After input from Chip Down, Don Nelsen, Webfoot, KepPNW and others, I drove up 2020 and parked where 2020 ends. This is about a 6.5 mile drive on 2020. Along the way someone marked the mileage in red.
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2020 is not bad for driving. I have a CRV and it handled it well. There were no log truck on the road and it appears the most recent logging operation is not active. I did see some large pieces of construction equipment however.
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At the end of the 2020 road are 2025, 2026 that head North and 2 other roads that head South. Remembering from Google Earth the road to the right heading South goes to the Powerlines. So I took that route.
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I didn’t try to drive 2025 and 2026, as I did not remember where they led. The powerlines road is very rough and steep in sections. I think only a true 4 wheel drive, high clearance vehicle could make it up. I finished the walk from my car to the ridge top in about 35 minutes.
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After looking at Google Earth again when I got home, I realized that road 2025 would have taken me out to the powerline, halfway up Table Ridge. 2026 will lead all the way to the top of the ridge. A friend of mine and I will sometime soon load our mountain bikes, and from the end of 2020, ride on 2026 to the top of the ridge, secure them and hike the rest of the way.
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Table Mt Routes.jpg
continued.....
Last edited by dmthomas49 on July 11th, 2018, 6:08 pm, edited 3 times in total.
"The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness."
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dmthomas49
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Re: Table Mountain from 2020 - 7-10-2018

Post by dmthomas49 » July 11th, 2018, 8:20 am

Once on the ridge top the trail has a sign at the beginning Table Mt. 1.4 miles.
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The trail starts off level and very easy with no brush. The thick brush soon starts. At times it makes footing difficult as you cannot see the rocks and roots below. There are also some steep sections that require care. Next time I will wear long pants!
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Make a left here.
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Once at the recognizable top, I took the standard table picture. Clouds obscured mountain views.
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Hurricane Ridge.
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Many flowers blooming.
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and butterflies...
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This requires another hike to work out how to best approach the ridge. Overall time about 3 hours... Better than the long approach!
"The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness."
— John Muir

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Chip Down
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Re: Table Mountain from 2020 - 7-10-2018

Post by Chip Down » July 11th, 2018, 6:03 pm

I guess I'm a driving wimp. I think that road is a nightmare. It's got a good rock surface, but it's extra-course gravel, the kind that's used for logging roads. Fine if you've got 40" tires on your monster truck. And it's VERY steep in spots, steep enough enough that it makes me wish I had a transfer case. But yeah, logging is wrapped up for a while, so at least the constant truck traffic is gone.

Indeed, there's no need to walk the powerline road. From the 5-way junction, the road at the first right will contour around to the saddle between Table and Birkenfeld (but once on that road, turn left at the next fork, as the right option soon ends at a gate at a clearcut).

Driving the powerline road would be tricky. I was shocked to see a guy attempting it in deep snow, driving a Subaru. He made it down to the bottom, and partway up to the saddle.

Glad to see the table is there. Somebody should rehabilitate it. Don't look at me; it wasn't practical on my trips last winter, as it was either buried, or weather was way too nasty to be fumbling with that chore.

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dmthomas49
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Re: Table Mountain from 2020 - 7-10-2018

Post by dmthomas49 » July 11th, 2018, 6:10 pm

I was surprised to see a tire track on the powerline road. Some brave person!
"The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness."
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Don Nelsen
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Re: Table Mountain from 2020 - 7-10-2018

Post by Don Nelsen » July 11th, 2018, 6:56 pm

Chip Down wrote:
July 11th, 2018, 6:03 pm
I guess I'm a driving wimp. I think that road is a nightmare. It's got a good rock surface, but it's extra-course gravel, the kind that's used for logging roads. Fine if you've got 40" tires on your monster truck. And it's VERY steep in spots, steep enough enough that it makes me wish I had a transfer case. But yeah, logging is wrapped up for a while, so at least the constant truck traffic is gone.

Indeed, there's no need to walk the powerline road. From the 5-way junction, the road at the first right will contour around to the saddle between Table and Birkenfeld (but once on that road, turn left at the next fork, as the right option soon ends at a gate at a clearcut).

Driving the powerline road would be tricky. I was shocked to see a guy attempting it in deep snow, driving a Subaru. He made it down to the bottom, and partway up to the saddle.

Glad to see the table is there. Somebody should rehabilitate it. Don't look at me; it wasn't practical on my trips last winter, as it was either buried, or weather was way too nasty to be fumbling with that chore.
I just don't understand the problem on that road. I've gone up there many times in a 2WD car with normal clearance - even before the recent regrading and re-alignment.

Proof: Here's my car at the TH on the north ridge from a hike on 6/14:
Image

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

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dmthomas49
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Re: Table Mountain from 2020 - 7-10-2018

Post by dmthomas49 » July 11th, 2018, 8:23 pm

So did you go up the 2020 road and then take the 2026 to the top from there?
"The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness."
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Don Nelsen
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Re: Table Mountain from 2020 - 7-10-2018

Post by Don Nelsen » July 11th, 2018, 8:56 pm

dmthomas49 wrote:
July 11th, 2018, 8:23 pm
So did you go up the 2020 road and then take the 2026 to the top from there?
Yes, the 2020 and then the 2026 road. That is by far the best route. The 2025 road has a couple of switchbacks just before the north ridge TH that is steep and very rocky.

I have driven all the other roads too, even the powerline road, but in a 4WD SUV.

Granted, I've been driving since 1962 and for many of those earlier years in cars far less capable than what is presently available so I must say I have some experience. But, still, modern cars are so nimble, powerful and reliable I have a problem seeing how anyone would have a problem driving these road if they take just a few precautions like going slow and carefully choosing your route across any potholes, water berms, etc.

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

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dmthomas49
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Re: Table Mountain from 2020 - 7-10-2018

Post by dmthomas49 » July 12th, 2018, 5:20 am

Thanks Don. Very helpful!
"The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness."
— John Muir

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Chip Down
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Re: Table Mountain from 2020 - 7-10-2018

Post by Chip Down » July 12th, 2018, 7:19 pm

Don, if I encountered a Mercedes sedan parked there on one of my visits, I would have assumed some lunatic had paid to have it flown in by helicopter :shock:

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Don Nelsen
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Re: Table Mountain from 2020 - 7-10-2018

Post by Don Nelsen » July 12th, 2018, 7:54 pm

Chip Down wrote:
July 12th, 2018, 7:19 pm
Don, if I encountered a Mercedes sedan parked there on one of my visits, I would have assumed some lunatic had paid to have it flown in by helicopter :shock:
That would sure save some wear and tear on the running gear. Maybe I should look into that... :D
"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

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