Sunday, May 03, 2020

2020.5.3. Mount Baldy

5/3, Sunday. Weather forecast for this weekend was very wet. 3 of us went to Cle Elum area hoping for dryer slopes, not too much of driving. When we arrived ~8:30am, already 4 cars parked at Easton Ridge TH. No sign of closure. Before we started hiking, 2 more cars pulled in.

We started along Easton Ridge trail (the right fork), down and cross the foot bridge over Silver Creek. Soon, the slope gets fairly steep. Saw quite some fairy slipper, as well as trillium. Later, glacier lily. Odd, saw a few paintbrush!

At the next junction (~3500'), we turned left to Domerie Divide Trail. A lot of glacier lily around here. The trail becomes flat for a while. A good viewpoint overlooking Kachess Lake and the hills to the west. You can also see Silver Creek tumbling down to the north. Sooner than I'd like, the trail gets quite steep again. My calf muscle was complaining. On baldy slopes, saw some douglasia (not sure what kind). Basalmroot was still in small buds. Won't flower for at least another 2 weeks here. At around 4500', we hit solid snow. Put on micro-spikes. Light snow was also falling from the sky. Trail disappeared under the snow. Thankfully, there were hikers before us.

Didn't see the next trail junction at all (~4800'). Just followed the foot track, heading right (south) towards Mount Baldy. Mostly along the ridge, going down first, then gaining all the lost elevation back. There are frequent open views, but today was too cloudy: couldn't see anything. When we reached the summit, saw 2 hikers ready to leave. Snow started again, and more wind. We had lunch here, hiding by a tree. I put on my down vest. The 4 hikers behind us, turned around right away.

I was planning on continuing to Domerie Peak. But the weather was not letting up. No more tracks on the snow. We turned around. At the lower part of the ridge, clouds parted for awhile. Was able to take some photos of Cle Elum Lake. When we near the trail junction again, the snow started yet again. Another option here is to hike more north along the ridge to Thomas Mountain. Yes, gave up on that too. Headed downhill. Met a couple with 2 dogs here.

We took to Easton Ridge trail for about another mile and ~800'. Scrambled up a rocky butte. Here we could see Baldy. Still mix of sun and light snow. On the way back, met 3 hikers. By the time we reached the TH, it was all dry.

Got back home ~5pm (left at 7am). Total, about 10 miles, 3800'.