Coldwater Peak (attempt) 14-May-2014
Posted: May 14th, 2014, 4:33 pm
Despite numerous climbs of St. Helens, I've only been to Johnson Ridge Observatory once - and that was on a crowded weekend day with my in-laws. But Sean's and Karl's various glowing TRs about the wonders of Coldwater Lake & Peak (along with warm weather, full sunshine, a weekday, and an open road) prompted me to give it another chance. After a 2h drive from Portland, my car was one of 3 at the TH ( ). I geared-up for a snow climb and headed out to admire the view - which was all that was promised:
It's an interesting hike in that your goal (arrow) is in sight almost the whole time - it's as though your circling & stalking it.
Further along, Hood (arrow) came into view.
There was an option at about the 4 mi point to bypass the snow-covered trail and go directly up the ridge on dirt. Having brought my snow stuff, I opted to try to follow the trail and did a rising traverse through some pretty soft snow. Enroute I encountered wildlife - the "rare" snow chipmunk.
The view just kept getting better and better (if that was possible) as I worked my way up the ridge,
to where I finally got a good view of the ridge leading to Coldwater's E side, which the trail (when it's not buried) traverses.
But one look at the avalanche runs (arrows) down the E side and I knew Coldwater's summit was not going to happen for me today.
I'd like to do the traverse and climb up on snow but it's probably going to be at least a month before conditions have settled sufficiently. So, a little exercise, some lunch, views of St. Helens Lake & Rainier,
Adams,
some admiration of the life working its way back into the blast zone,
and then back to the TH to hike again another day. 8.8 mi, 1700', and lots of sunscreen.
It's an interesting hike in that your goal (arrow) is in sight almost the whole time - it's as though your circling & stalking it.
Further along, Hood (arrow) came into view.
There was an option at about the 4 mi point to bypass the snow-covered trail and go directly up the ridge on dirt. Having brought my snow stuff, I opted to try to follow the trail and did a rising traverse through some pretty soft snow. Enroute I encountered wildlife - the "rare" snow chipmunk.
The view just kept getting better and better (if that was possible) as I worked my way up the ridge,
to where I finally got a good view of the ridge leading to Coldwater's E side, which the trail (when it's not buried) traverses.
But one look at the avalanche runs (arrows) down the E side and I knew Coldwater's summit was not going to happen for me today.
I'd like to do the traverse and climb up on snow but it's probably going to be at least a month before conditions have settled sufficiently. So, a little exercise, some lunch, views of St. Helens Lake & Rainier,
Adams,
some admiration of the life working its way back into the blast zone,
and then back to the TH to hike again another day. 8.8 mi, 1700', and lots of sunscreen.