Kachess Ridge (Point 5525) and French Chin - 10.11.2016

P1110135.jpg
We started our hike/scramble at the trailhead for French Cabin Creek Trail #1305... a 7 mile drive on FS-4308 in the Salmon La Sac area... our trip was 6.2 miles roundtrip, gaining 2169 feet of elevation. Click on the 'Trailhead Directions' link above this photo for complete directions.
P1110139.jpg
After we hiked 1305 for a short distance we got this look at French Chin (left)... French Tongue is on the ridge between the two tall trees in the middle of the photo.
P1110143.jpg
After hiking ~1.5 miles we will turn left (south) and hike Kachess Ridge Trail #1315 over to a pass between French Chin and French Tongue.
P1110147.jpg
On Kachess Ridge Trail #1315... and heading for the pass between French Chin (left) and French Tongue (right).
P1110156.jpg
French Tongue from the pass between the chin and the tongue.
P1110166.jpg
Off trail now... working our way around the south side of French Tongue... we can see Point 5525 on Kachess Ridge above.
P1110181.jpg
We found this rock outcropping between French Tongue and Point 5525... which we named French Pimple.
P1110183.jpg
On Kachess Ridge... looking back at French Tongue in the left foreground... and the west summit of French Cabin Mountain on the far right.
P1110193.jpg
Lots of rock outcroppings along Kachess Ridge... here looking down on Kachess Lake... and across Keechelus Ridge to Silver Peak, McClellan Butte, Bandera Mtn, Mt. Defiance and Granite Mtn.
P1110202.jpg
Working our way south along Kachess Ridge... with Point 5525 on the far left.
P1110210.jpg
Continuing south along Kachess Ridge... with the Stuart Range on the horizon... between French Tongue and French Chin.
P1110218.jpg
Standing on Point 5525... looking north... Kachess Lake below.
P1110221.jpg
Izzy waits patiently for us as we continue south along the ridge... the west summit of French Cabin Mountain on the left... and Silver Creek Basin below left.
P1110222.jpg
Continuing along the ridge... at some point we will leave the ridge and head down to Silver Creek Basin to pick up the Kachess Ridge Trail.
P1110225.jpg
Still on the ridge and looking back at part of our ridge route.
P1110229.jpg
Looking down on Kachess Lake... and across Amabilis Mountain in the foreground to Mt. Rainier in the distance.
P1110231.jpg
Izzy and Snowdog on Kachess Ridge... with the Stuart Range in the distance.
P1110236.jpg
The Stuart Range from Kachess Ridge.
P1110238.jpg
Continuing south on Kachess Ridge... the ridge looks pretty gnarly up ahead... the west summit of French Cabin Mountain on the left.
P1110241.jpg
The knife edged ridge has pushed us onto the east side of the ridge... ~40 feet below the ridge.
P1110242.jpg
Following a path of sorts on the east side of the ridge... ~70 feet below the ridge... we are trying to reach Point 5349 where we can get on easier terrain before dropping down to Silver Creek Basin.
P1110245.jpg
We gave up on reaching Point 5349 and headed straight down to the basin on steep terrain... here we are back at the pass between French Tongue (above) and French Chin.
P1110246.jpg
Scrambling for the top of French Chin now... looking back across the pass to French Tongue (right) and Point 5525 (left)
P1110248.jpg
Izzy and Snowdog heading for the top of French Chin... easy Class 3.
P1110263.jpg
Selfie stick at work on top of French Chin... the tongue on the left... looking up Box Canyon on the right to Alta Mountain and Hibox Mountain. Only a two mile hike to get back to the car.