Out-n-back on the HC trail to Tomlike. When you start climbing out of the HC drainage, at the little flat landing around 3500 ft, we turned and went straight up the snow slope to the saddle below the summit, about 700 ft EG in .3 mi and a killer shortcut. I last did this with Brad in 2014, but apparently that was in April and the slope was mostly talus vs steep snow. We had neither crampons nor axes but were able to kick good steps in going up, and the snow was super sticky so it seemed unlikely you would slide very far even if you fell - in other words, the runout was big but it felt pretty safe. It got windier up on the ridge and it was an easy walk up to the top (except for that part where you go through the stunted pine forest - usually that is a little tunnel, but given the 2-3 ft of snow, it was more like crawling at times - we bypassed it on the return). Going back down the snow slope was fantastic - the snow had softened a bit more and we were able to basically run and heel plunge all the way down, going from the ridge to the trail below in about 5 minutes!
Bottom of snow slope (much steeper than it looks) - there were 3 separate sections of this slope before getting up to the ridge, which you can't see yet.
On the summit ridge, great snow.
Looking back at the summit ridge and Hood hidden in clouds.
View of Tanner Butte.
Another great day outside.
#pnw #bestlife #bitingflies #favoriteyellowcap #neverdispleased
Tomlike - 2/22/20
Tomlike - 2/22/20
#pnw #bestlife #bitingflies #favoriteyellowcap #neverdispleased
Re: Tomlike - 2/22/20
Thanks for the TR. Is the Herman Creek trail in good shape after the winter or lots of deadfall?
- retired jerry
- Posts: 14418
- Joined: May 28th, 2008, 10:03 pm
Re: Tomlike - 2/22/20
nice!
I bet the snow makes it easier in a way
I bet the snow makes it easier in a way
- mountainkat
- Posts: 110
- Joined: March 4th, 2015, 6:12 pm
Re: Tomlike - 2/22/20
Awesome, you're hitting all of the good spots. Thanks for the trip report.
- acorn woodpecker
- Posts: 240
- Joined: January 4th, 2013, 8:35 pm
Re: Tomlike - 2/22/20
T'was a great day. HC Trail is in good shape. Deadfall is minimal. A handsaw would take care of most of it. Most of what little there is resides beyond Casey Creek.
- Don Nelsen
- Posts: 4380
- Joined: May 28th, 2008, 10:03 pm
- Location: Vancouver, WA
Re: Tomlike - 2/22/20
Great job guys! Those are some awesome cornice photos too.
dn
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
"If you don't do it this year, you will be one year older when you do" - Warren Miller
Re: Tomlike - 2/22/20
Great pics! That's a fun one for sure.
Re: Tomlike - 2/22/20
Oh interesting. I've always cut straight west directly from Noble Camp at 2850', then hit the Woolly Horn Ridge just north of Tomlike's summit. That route's got a serious downside - the bushwhacking from where it hits the ridge to Tomlike proper is rough - so maybe I'll have to try your route instead.