Warren Lake/Defiance loop, winter, mixed trail & offtrail
Posted: January 12th, 2019, 10:26 pm
After two failed attempts to reach Warren Lake (due to offtrail routes that didn't work out as well as planned) I was determined to pull it off, even if it meant having to walk on a stupid trail to get it done.
On my way to Starvation TH it started raining (misty). Not expected! I was prepared for extreme wind (gusts up to 50 at Cascade Locks) but there was no precip in the forecast. Well, I had no Plan B, so up I went. I encountered snow (on ground, not falling) even before I arrived at the crest of Starvation Ridge (1200'). I wasn't expecting that. I was ambivalent, but mostly pleased.
Hiking up Starvation Ridge in the misty dark was fun. I'd rather not have mist, and I was worried about it turning to rain, but I was in good spirits anyway. Somewhere along the way (maybe about 2000'), it got really cold, and everything was frosty. I didn't mind, as I figured that meant I'd stay somewhat dry, and it was pretty (sparkly).
As dawn arrived, I arrived at the rocky basin where Starvation Ridge fades at 2600'-2800' and the trail takes a sharp turn to the east. I continued SW into some talus slopes and ridges that looked like fun. It was horrible. Fresh snow over rocks and brush. Miserable. I decided to veer west and ascend until I was out of the garbage. Then decided to go further west until I met up with upper Cabin Creek Ridge. Did that a week ago, wanted to see it snowy. Arrived at Pablo's Gate (aka Twin Towers of Pablo, I think). Then up to the plateau.
What an abrupt change in my hike. The technical challenges of the ridge were behind me; now it was all about routefinding. I went west, staying at the north edge of the plateau, until I ran into the trail where it descends to Warren Lake. I looked east/uphill and saw a plain signpost. Great luck, I was on Mitchel Point Trail just barely west of the junction with Warren Lake Trail. I descended to Warren Lake, which was totally socked in with clouds. Could barely see that there was a lake. Everything was coated in rime on the north side.
Lost the trail here. XC to the warren Rock Garden. Fantastic, exceeded expectations. Finding westbound Mitchel Point Trail was difficult. I considered just hiking west until I ran into Defiance trail, but that seemed slightly unnerving. I was about to give up when I spotted a cairn, then another. Trudging up to the Defiance junction was extremely difficult, tiring, demoralizing. I might have given up if not for blazes. They didn't help me find my way, but they offered confirmation I was on-route.
Finally, I arrived at Defiance trail, tired, getting anxious about time. Dropped down Defiance trail, which I assumed would be easier to follow than Mitchel Point Trail, because it's a major trail with lots of traffic. It was virgin though, no footprints to follow. At first it was easy, but then I lost the trail, found it, lost it, etc. Blazes on this trail are yellow paint. Like Mitchel Point Trail, the blazes here didn't help me find my way, but they offered confirmation I was on-route. Came to the viewpoint around 4200', where the trail braids a bit, but I had no trouble following the trail. But then it faded. Again, I lost the trail, found it, lost it, etc. Passed by the downhill side of one of those entering-burn-zone signs. Amazing I spotted it. That offered confidence I was on trail again, but then I lost it. Well damn, there was no way I was going back to Warren/Starvation, so I just gave up on the trail and dropped on my own route. Although I was slightly anxious, it was fun and liberating. Nice open forest through the burn zone. By luck, I passed just a few feet from a switchback, with boot prints (3200'). Didn't look fresh, so probably not today. Apparently a few people had given up. I followed the trail until I passed some sawcuts, and then knew I was definitely on trail. As you can imagine, I was ambivalent; relieved but also disappointed that my adventure had come to an end.
other parties: Not long after I found the trail on my way down Defiance, I was surprised to meet a group of 5 (4 humans + 1 dog) on their way up. Much lower, I encountered a solo hiker who was headed up, possibly as far as Defiance summit. I told him it was impossible. Postholing in jeans in the dark with temps below freezing and high winds is pretty much a recipe for hypothermia, getting lost, never coming down. I suspect he took my advice; he didn't seem entirely crazy (Bosterson: Yes, it was him! Again! Small world, eh?). Got back to TH before dark (no small feat, this time of year).
Overall: Wow, what a crazy fun exciting day. This was so much better than it possibly could have been on my last two failed attempts. Weather was just about perfect. Less wind than expected, colder than expected. I didn't mind the clouds too much. I prefer that to a bluebird day. Was glad to have the virgin snow. I guess the main regret was the difficulty of postholing above 4000'. It would have been a better day if the snow was no more than 6-8" deep.
On my way to Starvation TH it started raining (misty). Not expected! I was prepared for extreme wind (gusts up to 50 at Cascade Locks) but there was no precip in the forecast. Well, I had no Plan B, so up I went. I encountered snow (on ground, not falling) even before I arrived at the crest of Starvation Ridge (1200'). I wasn't expecting that. I was ambivalent, but mostly pleased.
Hiking up Starvation Ridge in the misty dark was fun. I'd rather not have mist, and I was worried about it turning to rain, but I was in good spirits anyway. Somewhere along the way (maybe about 2000'), it got really cold, and everything was frosty. I didn't mind, as I figured that meant I'd stay somewhat dry, and it was pretty (sparkly).
As dawn arrived, I arrived at the rocky basin where Starvation Ridge fades at 2600'-2800' and the trail takes a sharp turn to the east. I continued SW into some talus slopes and ridges that looked like fun. It was horrible. Fresh snow over rocks and brush. Miserable. I decided to veer west and ascend until I was out of the garbage. Then decided to go further west until I met up with upper Cabin Creek Ridge. Did that a week ago, wanted to see it snowy. Arrived at Pablo's Gate (aka Twin Towers of Pablo, I think). Then up to the plateau.
What an abrupt change in my hike. The technical challenges of the ridge were behind me; now it was all about routefinding. I went west, staying at the north edge of the plateau, until I ran into the trail where it descends to Warren Lake. I looked east/uphill and saw a plain signpost. Great luck, I was on Mitchel Point Trail just barely west of the junction with Warren Lake Trail. I descended to Warren Lake, which was totally socked in with clouds. Could barely see that there was a lake. Everything was coated in rime on the north side.
Lost the trail here. XC to the warren Rock Garden. Fantastic, exceeded expectations. Finding westbound Mitchel Point Trail was difficult. I considered just hiking west until I ran into Defiance trail, but that seemed slightly unnerving. I was about to give up when I spotted a cairn, then another. Trudging up to the Defiance junction was extremely difficult, tiring, demoralizing. I might have given up if not for blazes. They didn't help me find my way, but they offered confirmation I was on-route.
Finally, I arrived at Defiance trail, tired, getting anxious about time. Dropped down Defiance trail, which I assumed would be easier to follow than Mitchel Point Trail, because it's a major trail with lots of traffic. It was virgin though, no footprints to follow. At first it was easy, but then I lost the trail, found it, lost it, etc. Blazes on this trail are yellow paint. Like Mitchel Point Trail, the blazes here didn't help me find my way, but they offered confirmation I was on-route. Came to the viewpoint around 4200', where the trail braids a bit, but I had no trouble following the trail. But then it faded. Again, I lost the trail, found it, lost it, etc. Passed by the downhill side of one of those entering-burn-zone signs. Amazing I spotted it. That offered confidence I was on trail again, but then I lost it. Well damn, there was no way I was going back to Warren/Starvation, so I just gave up on the trail and dropped on my own route. Although I was slightly anxious, it was fun and liberating. Nice open forest through the burn zone. By luck, I passed just a few feet from a switchback, with boot prints (3200'). Didn't look fresh, so probably not today. Apparently a few people had given up. I followed the trail until I passed some sawcuts, and then knew I was definitely on trail. As you can imagine, I was ambivalent; relieved but also disappointed that my adventure had come to an end.
other parties: Not long after I found the trail on my way down Defiance, I was surprised to meet a group of 5 (4 humans + 1 dog) on their way up. Much lower, I encountered a solo hiker who was headed up, possibly as far as Defiance summit. I told him it was impossible. Postholing in jeans in the dark with temps below freezing and high winds is pretty much a recipe for hypothermia, getting lost, never coming down. I suspect he took my advice; he didn't seem entirely crazy (Bosterson: Yes, it was him! Again! Small world, eh?). Got back to TH before dark (no small feat, this time of year).
Overall: Wow, what a crazy fun exciting day. This was so much better than it possibly could have been on my last two failed attempts. Weather was just about perfect. Less wind than expected, colder than expected. I didn't mind the clouds too much. I prefer that to a bluebird day. Was glad to have the virgin snow. I guess the main regret was the difficulty of postholing above 4000'. It would have been a better day if the snow was no more than 6-8" deep.