a different approach to the Newton Clark moraine
Posted: August 29th, 2020, 8:44 pm
The Newton Clark moraine is generally accessed from Timberline Trail where it passes over the forested ridge at the wilderness boundary, approaching from either the Newton Creek side, or the Clark Creek side.
Today I decided to try something a little different: Follow Newton Creek up from the trail, to a spot where the creek runs through a short slot. At that point, there's an obvious spur ridge running from the creek (5900') up to the moraine crest at 6900'. To be more precise, the bottom of the ridge starts at the cliffs that form the slot, not at the very bottom of the canyon.
As I was working my way up Newton Creek, I decided I should pass through the slot and then take the right fork, up the dramatic three-tier waterfall below Gnarl Ridge. I've never done that in summer. But no, snow conditions were unfavorable. I expected snow at the slot (typical all year) and wondered if it would be an impediment. Nope, easy workaround. But upstream from the slot, the entire canyon width was snow, with heavy rubble. No way I was going to chance that rotten August snow with creek(s) running under. Especially considering I had no idea what the waterfalls would be like in summer, so I might end up having to retreat over that sketchy snow again. So I aborted, back down the canyon to my Plan A, the ridge up to NC moraine.
That ridge was sandy, poor footing. It looked like it might get scary steep as it met the moraine crest, but no, not bad.
On the moraine crest, I continued up a ways, but not to the end. No desire to do that again, especially considering it's one of those places where the higher you go, your views of the mountain get swallowed up by the mountain. It was fun for nostalgia though. It didn't occur to me to check my position where I turned back, but I guess it doesn't matter.
NOAA had issued a red-flag high-wind warning, but it was dead calm at Elk Meadows TH, and never more than a light breeze all day. In spite of it being the coolest day in the long-range forecast, I was uncomfortably warm by 8:30.
Insanely crowded. Before sunrise, I passed a half dozen tents. Nobody else seen offtrail, but as soon as I hit the trail on my way down, I encountered 5 hikers in 10 minutes.
Just out of curiosity, I visited the lower crossing of Newton Creek. Yikes. I think the upper crossing would be easier.
Today I decided to try something a little different: Follow Newton Creek up from the trail, to a spot where the creek runs through a short slot. At that point, there's an obvious spur ridge running from the creek (5900') up to the moraine crest at 6900'. To be more precise, the bottom of the ridge starts at the cliffs that form the slot, not at the very bottom of the canyon.
As I was working my way up Newton Creek, I decided I should pass through the slot and then take the right fork, up the dramatic three-tier waterfall below Gnarl Ridge. I've never done that in summer. But no, snow conditions were unfavorable. I expected snow at the slot (typical all year) and wondered if it would be an impediment. Nope, easy workaround. But upstream from the slot, the entire canyon width was snow, with heavy rubble. No way I was going to chance that rotten August snow with creek(s) running under. Especially considering I had no idea what the waterfalls would be like in summer, so I might end up having to retreat over that sketchy snow again. So I aborted, back down the canyon to my Plan A, the ridge up to NC moraine.
That ridge was sandy, poor footing. It looked like it might get scary steep as it met the moraine crest, but no, not bad.
On the moraine crest, I continued up a ways, but not to the end. No desire to do that again, especially considering it's one of those places where the higher you go, your views of the mountain get swallowed up by the mountain. It was fun for nostalgia though. It didn't occur to me to check my position where I turned back, but I guess it doesn't matter.
NOAA had issued a red-flag high-wind warning, but it was dead calm at Elk Meadows TH, and never more than a light breeze all day. In spite of it being the coolest day in the long-range forecast, I was uncomfortably warm by 8:30.
Insanely crowded. Before sunrise, I passed a half dozen tents. Nobody else seen offtrail, but as soon as I hit the trail on my way down, I encountered 5 hikers in 10 minutes.
Just out of curiosity, I visited the lower crossing of Newton Creek. Yikes. I think the upper crossing would be easier.