This was our most ambitious trip since moving out to Portland last November - not in mileage but simply in elevation due to the snow! The day cleared as we drove up 503 which was a beautiful drive which was very stress free with low traffic.
Made it to the actual trailhead at 9:30~ after about 5 miles of road that I am always impressed small cars can successfully navigate. The drive from 503 to the trailhead probably gains 1500 feet of elevation which makes the hike to the summit relatively short. Another couple, double our age pulled up as we parked - we later passed them part way up. Hitting snow after maybe, 1 to 1.5 miles (?), because it was so early, we had plenty of snacks, and a much anticipated leftover thin cut steak+bacon+pepperjack+mustard sammich... we said lets just take our time and try our best to follow the trail, we'll turn around if things don't feel good. I enjoyed the 'challenge' of this hike as it was a bit rockier and generally wild than the gorge trails we've mostly done. Navigating when snow covered the trail for large portions added to the entertainment. Eventually we made our way to the south side of Mt. Mitchell where the trees spread out a bit and the snow pack increased to a solid 5 foot (?) and was soft enough on top to maintain a grip but hard enough below to support just fine!
We basically bushwacked until the trees stopped and the snow disappeared, perhaps 1/4th of a mile from the summit. Here we ate lunch and said that was as far as we wanted to go because we were not on trail. However, much to our surprise the older couple (without poles, and less sturdy footwear, etc) came into sight - I guess we helped break the trail a bit through the snow. They were headed to the top so that changed our plans and we were on our way, after making some small cairns and spotting a few unique dead trees so we could find our way down easier.
So, this was an absolutely great day for us, see below:
Mt. Mitchell, WA 6-14-08
Mt. Mitchell, WA 6-14-08
Feel Free to Feel Free
Re: Mt. Mitchell, WA 6-14-08
Well, I love Mount Mitchell. It's an under appreciated gem in SW Washington. I was curious about the snow levels. Jane was out there a few weeks ago and the snow was so high they had to turn back.
It's good you had a summit that was clear of snow! that might be a sketchy deal up there otherwise! Did you find the summit log?
It's good you had a summit that was clear of snow! that might be a sketchy deal up there otherwise! Did you find the summit log?
- AlexanderSupertramp
- Posts: 1447
- Joined: May 28th, 2008, 10:02 pm
Re: Mt. Mitchell, WA 6-14-08
Water and Bucket....I like that
Re: Mt. Mitchell, WA 6-14-08
Bucket carried a collapsible bucket I gave her when she started her AT thru hike. The first few days a few people laughed, by day 3 or 4 people were glad to make one trip with this 5oz. bucket and get 4 gallons, enough for 4-5 people to cook and drink with at once.
When I joined her in Virginia, an older fellow wanted to call me water boy because I was always using the bucket to get the water. I mulled on it for a bit, deciding against the "boy" and sticking with water.
Yes the log book was up there - and totally full. Only two people had signed it this year, someone who snow shoed up on Memorial Day weekend and then US! If we take another trip we'll bring a small blank notebook.
You can see our "Bucket and Water" signatures (she draws a bucket and I draw a drop of water).. : )
I would guess Mt. Mitchell will become more and more navigateable, unless of course the snow turns nasty and you're post holing up to your hip once you get into the deeper snow - then that would have to wait for a full melt../just a few inches left.
When I joined her in Virginia, an older fellow wanted to call me water boy because I was always using the bucket to get the water. I mulled on it for a bit, deciding against the "boy" and sticking with water.
Yes the log book was up there - and totally full. Only two people had signed it this year, someone who snow shoed up on Memorial Day weekend and then US! If we take another trip we'll bring a small blank notebook.
You can see our "Bucket and Water" signatures (she draws a bucket and I draw a drop of water).. : )
I would guess Mt. Mitchell will become more and more navigateable, unless of course the snow turns nasty and you're post holing up to your hip once you get into the deeper snow - then that would have to wait for a full melt../just a few inches left.
Feel Free to Feel Free
Re: Mt. Mitchell, WA 6-14-08
We went up today. There was only one short distance along the trail with patches of pretty good snow but easy route finding just the same. As fast as it was melting in the heat today, I would surmise that the snow will be gone by the end of the weekend!! We were postholing right down to the trail through most of it.
As a side note; the TH directions are the best I found anywhere. Kudos again for Portland Hikers making this reliable information available.
As a side note; the TH directions are the best I found anywhere. Kudos again for Portland Hikers making this reliable information available.
Re: Mt. Mitchell, WA 6-14-08
Glad to hear it! I drove the route twice to make sure I had the mileages right.Jill wrote:As a side note; the TH directions are the best I found anywhere. Kudos again for Portland Hikers making this reliable information available.
How are the road conditions?
So glad to hear the snow is receding. I've got to get my boys up there this week.
Re: Mt. Mitchell, WA 6-14-08
The roads were good, relatively speaking. The road pseudonyms were perfect. Pothole Ave had it's potholes but not any that were too bad. Rocky Rd was manageable and Trailhead Lane was short and sweet. One of the cars in our group was pretty low profile and it made it no problem.