Goat Rocks Wilderness: Hogback Mt. & Pigtail Peak 090720
- Don Nelsen
- Posts: 4380
- Joined: May 28th, 2008, 10:03 pm
- Location: Vancouver, WA
Goat Rocks Wilderness: Hogback Mt. & Pigtail Peak 090720
My birthday was on Labor Day this year and what better way to spend it than a nice hike in a beautiful place!
Hogback Mt. is popular among the prominence obsessed having 2,009’ between it and the saddle between it and the next highest peak. I could see on Listsofjohn.com that 5 people I know and have hiked with have summited it as well as a half dozen more I know by reputation. I suppose I was late to the party.
Weather turned out to be perfect with 50 degrees early morning at the White Pass TH where the PCT crosses Hwy 12. It never got over about 70 the whole day and the skies were crystal clear until the smoke showed up about 2. By then we were almost back, so no problem.
The hike is entirely on the PCT except for the short off-trail to reach both peaks and it was a delight to chat with the dozen or so PCT through hikers we encountered on the trail. In fact, we met a couple of guys Kel and I met and talked with two weeks ago when we hiked from White River to Timberline Lodge. Amazing folks these through hikers! Bojangles, Happy, 007, Pittsburg, Lowlander and a half dozen more I didn’t get avatars for. They all expect to reach Canada by the end of the month and looking at how enthusiastic and fit they all appeared, I believe they will all make it. I was especially impressed with Bojangles since he is just a year younger than me and is doing about 20 miles a day, every day. Pretty good, especially for a 72 year old!!
A few photos from the hike:
Hogback Mt.
Goat Rocks and Mt. Adams as I approached the ridge:
My route took me over the highpoint on the ridge in the distance then across this saddle:
The PCT winding south as I look down from the summit. I don't know what that spire is called in the right center but it sure looked impressive.
My route back down:
The view to the NE at 12:40 pm - no smoke in sight.
An hour later, here comes the smoke!
Pigtail Peak wasn’t too impressive but we went over there to check it out:
Another great day in the woods: 11.7 miles, 2,617’ EG, hike # 85
"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
- adamschneider
- Posts: 3716
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Re: Goat Rocks Wilderness: Hogback Mt. & Pigtail Peak 090720
It doesn't have a name, at least not on the topo maps. Don't you hate that? If it were in Iowa, it'd be the centerpiece of a National Park!Don Nelsen wrote: ↑September 10th, 2020, 4:18 pmI don't know what that spire is called in the right center but it sure looked impressive.
Re: Goat Rocks Wilderness: Hogback Mt. & Pigtail Peak 090720
Interesting to note that there are hundreds [edit: thousands ] of un-named glaciers in Alaska. An Alaskan visitor to Mt Hood would look at Eliot Glacier and wonder why we bother to name that little speck.adamschneider wrote: ↑September 10th, 2020, 7:43 pmIt doesn't have a name, at least not on the topo maps. Don't you hate that? If it were in Iowa, it'd be the centerpiece of a National Park!Don Nelsen wrote: ↑September 10th, 2020, 4:18 pmI don't know what that spire is called in the right center but it sure looked impressive.
- Don Nelsen
- Posts: 4380
- Joined: May 28th, 2008, 10:03 pm
- Location: Vancouver, WA
Re: Goat Rocks Wilderness: Hogback Mt. & Pigtail Peak 090720
Here's another noteworthy spire I saw as I trekked up the PCT Monday. When I first spotted this I thought "Oh no, I hope that's not where I have to go to get up Hogback Mt." It turned out to be yet another unnamed tower along the way.
This is an incredibly scenic area and I'll be going back as soon as the smoke thins out.
This is an incredibly scenic area and I'll be going back as soon as the smoke thins out.
"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
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- Posts: 194
- Joined: December 3rd, 2009, 3:19 pm
- Location: Goldendale
Re: Goat Rocks Wilderness: Hogback Mt. & Pigtail Peak 090720
Belated Happy 72nd Don. Not much better than a classic trek for any significant day. That mystery spire - from the distance - looks a bit like a mini-Devils Tower. 2020 has been some serious mileage for you, and it's still over 100 days til Christmas!
- Don Nelsen
- Posts: 4380
- Joined: May 28th, 2008, 10:03 pm
- Location: Vancouver, WA
Re: Goat Rocks Wilderness: Hogback Mt. & Pigtail Peak 090720
Thanks! (But it was bojangles who is 72, I'm 73 - going on 35 )arieshiker wrote: ↑September 11th, 2020, 1:58 pmBelated Happy 72nd Don. Not much better than a classic trek for any significant day. That mystery spire - from the distance - looks a bit like a mini-Devils Tower. 2020 has been some serious mileage for you, and it's still over 100 days til Christmas!
I'll go check that tower out, maybe next week and post a TR. So many things to see, so little time!
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: Goat Rocks Wilderness: Hogback Mt. & Pigtail Peak 090720
Or maybe a quarry?adamschneider wrote: ↑September 10th, 2020, 7:43 pmIf it were in Iowa, it'd be the centerpiece of a National Park!