Coldwater Peak (attempt) 14-May-2014

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VanMarmot
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Coldwater Peak (attempt) 14-May-2014

Post by VanMarmot » 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 ( :D ). I geared-up for a snow climb and headed out to admire the view - which was all that was promised:

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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.

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Further along, Hood (arrow) came into view.

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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.

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The view just kept getting better and better (if that was possible) as I worked my way up the ridge,

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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.

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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.

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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,

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Adams,

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some admiration of the life working its way back into the blast zone,

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and then back to the TH to hike again another day. 8.8 mi, 1700', and lots of sunscreen. :D

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Last edited by VanMarmot on May 14th, 2014, 7:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Roy
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Re: Clearwater Peak (attempt) 14-May-2014

Post by Roy » May 14th, 2014, 6:27 pm

Yea those were my tracks you saw yesterday the snow was sloughing off small avalanches all over the basin around St helens lake. It was so still and quite I could her them as I sat there the slopes were just waiting for a little extra weight for a trigger.

I took this photo of my high point from my truck. Like I said in my tr there was bad steep snow and cliffs all around me were I stopped. It appears we turned around at the same place, the trail down and thru the arch to Coldwater peak is a little delicate in the best of conditions.

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By the way its Coldwater peak not Clearwater :)
The downhill of the mind is harder than the uphill of the body. - Yuichiro Miura

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VanMarmot
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Re: Clearwater Peak (attempt) 14-May-2014

Post by VanMarmot » May 14th, 2014, 7:01 pm

Roy wrote:
By the way its Coldwater peak not Clearwater :)
Thanks. Note to self: Drink beer after, not while, I'm writing a TR. :(

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romann
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Re: Coldwater Peak (attempt) 14-May-2014

Post by romann » May 14th, 2014, 9:58 pm

Great pictures. That point before the arch is where I was stopped by snow several times, too. One time I was having lunch there and mountain goat walked right upon my spot, and even stayed around for some pictures.

It's amazing & rugged country beyond there, but certainly not a place to be in avalanche conditions; give it 2-3 weeks and the snow will settle and it will be safe to travel (with crampons and axe).

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kepPNW
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Re: Coldwater Peak (attempt) 14-May-2014

Post by kepPNW » May 14th, 2014, 10:52 pm

Excellent photos! Once you've had a taste of that spot, ... :D

(Yes, the views really do just keep getting better!)

It does hold the snow for a pretty long time, to be sure. I really couldn't get past the saddle in the middle of June last year! Mid or even late July offers (mostly) dirt all the way up, though.
Karl
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Peder
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Re: Coldwater Peak (attempt) 14-May-2014

Post by Peder » May 14th, 2014, 11:45 pm

VanMarmot wrote: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.
Beware Bruce: That Mt Margaret Backcountry is very addictive! BTW, your pictures are superb.
Some people are really fit at eighty; thankfully I still have many years to get into shape…

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RobinB
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Re: Clearwater Peak (attempt) 14-May-2014

Post by RobinB » May 15th, 2014, 12:09 am

Great pictures! What's your camera setup?
VanMarmot wrote:Note to self: Drink beer after, not while, I'm writing a TR. :(
I know the feeling. :lol:

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VanMarmot
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Re: Clearwater Peak (attempt) 14-May-2014

Post by VanMarmot » May 15th, 2014, 8:21 am

RobinB wrote:Great pictures! What's your camera setup?
These were with my old (but very light) Olympus E-420 and an 18-42mm telephoto. It's a great little camera but uses proprietary (and no longer available) memory chips and can't use regular batteries. My other camera, a Pentax K-30, uses standards chips & takes AA batteries, but it's heavier.

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VanMarmot
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Re: Coldwater Peak (attempt) 14-May-2014

Post by VanMarmot » May 15th, 2014, 8:23 am

Peder wrote: Beware Bruce: That Mt Margaret Backcountry is very addictive! BTW, your pictures are superb.
It is - I just have to get past the 4h RT drive. And weekdays - if you can manage it - are definitely better if you're going to start at Johnson Ridge.

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Peder
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Re: Coldwater Peak (attempt) 14-May-2014

Post by Peder » May 15th, 2014, 8:37 am

VanMarmot wrote:It is - I just have to get past the 4h RT drive.
Yes, but I know that you can never get addicted to Nesmith Point, so you will have to return!
Some people are really fit at eighty; thankfully I still have many years to get into shape…

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