Mount McCausland and Lake Valhalla - 8.16.2014
Directions from the Stevens Pass Ski Area to the Smithbrook Trailhead.
|
Our approximate route from the Smithbrook Trailhead to Lake Valhalla and the summit of Mt. McCausland.
|
We got the last two parking spots at the Smithbrook Trailhead (3800').
|
The hike is in the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness.
|
The first mile of the hike is on Smithbrook Trail No. 1590.
|
The fireweed is collecting water.
|
After hiking a mile on the Smithbrook Trail we will hike the PCT over to the saddle between Mt. McCausland and Lichtenberg Mountain.
|
Lichtenberg Mountain from the PCT... the saddle between Lichtenberg and McCausland is in the trees on the far right.
|
Steeper terrain now as we head for the summit of Mt. McCausland on the boot path above the saddle between Lichtenberg and McCausland... Lake Valhalla below.
|
The most fun we had all day was trying to open the very unique McCausland summit register.
|
Dinara skims through the Mt. McCausland summit register.
|
Group shot from a very cloudy Mt. McCausland summit (5747')... left to right... Nanda, Dinara, robman, ragman, larman, Snowdog and Denali Girl.
|
Izzy resting on a branch at the summit.
|
Leaving the summit behind as we head back down to the Lichtenberg/McCausland saddle.
|
We decided to make the short hike from the saddle down to Lake Valhalla so that Izzy could do a little swimming... Lichtenberg Mountain on the left... 3.5 miles of easy hiking to get back to the car.
|
