Chris went hiking June 19, 2011 17 miles 4,000 feet gained
So glad to be done with this one.
Took the 194 trail north to 158. 158 had several blow downs and the snow started at 3400. Well packed but icy. From the basin around 3400, I ventured off trail to avoid the sidehilling - I wouldn't do this hike for the next several weeks without a good GPS or excellent navigation skills. Routefinding in the several miles of snow was exhausting. I finally made it up to Observation, where the snow had petered out, but the partly cloudy forecast did not materialize.
I took the path of least resistance down to the Trapper Creek trail, occasionally following footprints, but finding that they were often way off track.
The Trapper Creek trail (192) is interesting. The switchbacks coming down the side of the hill are extremely narrow and are eroding, at points, which made for tedious travel (but Eric, I think you'd like this trail). Because there was also brush to contend with, and the focus required to stay on the narrow ledge, it was really draining after all that snow routefinding.
I eventually made it down to the creek, but tripped on a wet stick, and fell pretty hard, right on my jaw. I guess you could call it jawbone flats. (bad Opal Creek humor) I also snapped my carbon fiber trekking pole in two - but I was really lucky - it could have been a lot worse, considering I didn't break my fall. I'm still counting my teeth...
