On Sunday, October 16th, Hiker Chris and I took advantage of one more good weather day to hike Barrett Spur. Both of us had been there before several times, so we knew what to expect.
I left both dogs at home. The hike would be too tough for Timmy and his old bones and too dangerous for Buddy. Now the question was, how do I get out of the house without them knowing I was going hiking without them? The first thing I did was prepare my gear the night before in the garage. They know that hiking gear equals "Go for a hike!" I though, out of sight, out of mind. The morning of the hike, somehow they knew what was going on. When I put on my hiking clothes, the jig was up. To distract their thoughts when I put them in the dog run before leaving, I threw the previous night's leftover popcorn in the grass. They were busy scarfing down their treat while I slipped away.
On the way to the trailhead, while driving on Lolo Pass road, we passed the area devastated by the Sandy River in January 2011. The flood was so powerful it washed out hundreds of feet of Lolo Pass road and washed away several homes. Several more homes are still in danger of being washed into the river if another flood comes. Sometimes rivers want to go where they want to go and there's nothing you can do about it.
Sandy River Flood Damage
Barrett Spur can be reached a number of ways. Chris and I have always taken the Vista Ridge trail to Wy'East Basin, then gone straight up. This time was no exception.
When we got to the Vista Ridge trailhead (4540'), we were met with a notice stating that this trail, along with other nearby trails were closed. Normally I am not a rule breaker, but since the Dollar Lake Fire had been out for weeks, we continued on. If the trail was really closed, why was there not a notice way down the road? We were curious how much of the burn area we would see. We soon found out.
Vista Ridge Trail Closed
In less than a half a mile from the trailhead is the wilderness register. Right after that the burn area begins and continues almost up to where the Vista Ridge trail meets the Timberline trail. In most of the area the fire burned everything down to the ground with almost nothing surviving. You know that smell when you douse a campfire with water and it smolders? That's what it smelled like.
Burnt Bear Grass: Due to the rhizomes (roots) under ground, bear grass is often times the first plant to grow after a fire.
We soon noticed that some of the burnt trees along the trail had some orange tape around them. The tape read "Killer Trees" and had a skull and crossbone image. Upon further investigation, those trees had their insides almost completely burned out, making them a candidate for toppling over, possibly onto some unfortunate hiker.
Killer Tree 1: This tree had its insides burned out
Killer Tree Tape
There were several trees with the Killer Tree tape that had fallen or toppled. Clear evidence that the tape was warranted. We made sure to stay clear of trees with the Killer Tree tape. If it was windy I would be reluctant to hike through this burned area. Trees will be crashing down for years to come.
Killer Tree 2: Toppled Killer Tree
Killer Tree 3: I guess someone thought this tree was dangerous too.
After hiking through the burned area, we were soon at Wy'East Basin (5900'). Wy'East Basin is a small meadow with beautiful views of Mt. Adams, Mt. Rainier and the tip of Mt. Hood. At certain times of the years wildflowers abound. There is also a year-round stream running through it. The name Wy'East is what Native Americans called Mt. Hood.
Avalanche Lilies At Wy'East Basin: Photo taken on a previous trip. Included here because I like this picture.
Now the hard part began. From Wy'East Basin the trail gains 2150' in 1.7 miles to the high point of Barrett Spur at 7850'. Much of that mileage is over sandy ground, loose rock, rocks or boulders.
As we gained elevation, the tops of Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Adams and Mt. Rainier began to be seen above the ever-diminishing clouds. And of course the view of Mt. Hood got bigger and bigger. The Dollar Lake Fire burn area became more clear. The burned area was fairly thin, like a ribbon, as opposed to being blocky or circular.
On The Way To Barrett Spur: The view as we climbed higher. The Dollar Lake Fire area can be seen.
As the trail gets near the base of Barrett Spur there is an alpine area of nothing but rocks. I call this the Rock Garden. This is where the trail becomes ambiguous. It braids around rocks, meeting up, and then splitting again. It's never hard to find your way because Barrett Spur is right there.
Rock Garden
Shortly before getting to the Rock Garden, the wind picked up. Soon it was a continuous 30 MPH. With the temperature at 45 degrees, it got quite nippy, even with the sun shining. Good thing we were prepared and brought hats, gloves and wind breakers.
Now the really hard part began. Climbing Barrett Spur is incredibly difficult due to the steepness and loose rocks and boulders. The trail, if you can call it that, is not easy to follow. The rocks and boulders that must be traversed can be unstable. If are afraid of heights and are not sure-footed like a mountain goat, you should avoid attempting to climb Barrett Spur.
If you do go, the effort is well worth it. The view from the high point of Barrett Spur is beyond spectacular. Besides the mountain views previously described, Barrett Spur has two glaciers flowing on either side. The Coe Glacier on the left and the Ladd Glacier on the right. Barrett Spur is so close to the Coe and Ladd Glaciers that I could hear them cracking. It sounds like rocks falling.
Barrett Spur
Mt. Hood From Barrett Spur
Looking North From Barrett Spur High Point
Coe Glacier
Link to a 360 video taken from the high point of Barrett Spur. It's a little shaky because I was spinning around on a rock near a cliff.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/54959080@N ... 7786558717
Chris and I were going to check out Eden Park and Cairn Basin as a side trip, but that would have added about 2.5 miles and we were tired.
Total mileage: 9 miles round trip (approx.)
Total elevation gain: 3310'
Good hiking,
Brad
