Cayuse Pass

Cayuse Pass is located within Mt. Rainier National Park and is accessible during the summer months when the road is not covered with snow.  Most of the year, I find myself turning left up the hill to Crystal Mountain to ski. This time, I had a meeting in Yakima on Monday, so I decided to take a hike on the way to the east side.

The trailhead is located 4 1/2 miles down SR 123 from the tee with SR 410.  The first 1/4 mile of the trail descends down toward Chinook Creek. Here I saw three hikers with backpacks leaving the trail, the only souls I would see for several hours when I was near the trailhead. First the roar of falls hits your ears and soon a set of Cascades peak through the trees on the right. 

 

 

Series of falls on Chinook Creek

Just below the falls, the trail crosses the creek and begins working up the west side of the creek through old growth forest.

I short time later, the trail splits, with one branch heading to Owyhigh Lakes and the other to Cayuse Pass.  The latter was my destination for the day.  The first part of the trail slopes up gently with a few downed trees that have to be hopped over.  The next section was steeper with switchbacks. Soon, the grade becomes gentle and the first snow appeared.  Although there were few visible tracks, it was easy to figure out which way one should go.

After about 3 miles, the trail crosses SR 123- remember to look both ways! At this elevation, in early July, the trail was almost entirely covered with snow. In a few places, the side slope was steep which made it important to pay attention to ones footing.  Within 1/2  mile, the trail reached highway 410 a few miles below Chinook Pass.  I couldn't find the continuation of the trail so I headed back to my car.  All in all, it is a nice, lightly used trail.  Enjoy it July through September depending on the snow year.

Large rotting cedar

Scalloped snow

Mt. Rainier popped into view.

Two trees that fell in opposite directions from the same spot.  It seemed odd to me.

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Lake Ingalls- Fall Delight

Snowshoeing in Commonwealth Basin

I joined Ross, Karen, Ed, and Cindy for a day on snowshoes.  The weather had been quite variable leading up to the weekend so I suggested we head for the Commonwealth Basin trail, which is pretty safe from avalanches. We met at Ross and Karen's and piled into Cindy's RAV4, complete with a stickshift!  Chicks with Sticks Rule!

Google Earth Image of our track- 3.3 miles RT.

We stopped for a bio-break at the pass and found a fine parking spot at Summit West before crossing the road and making our way to the trailhead.  After donning our shoes, we lined up for  a group shot.
Ross led the way and we started up, up, up.  None of us were all that experienced on SS but it was a first for Ross. There were a number of folks on the trail including several groups organized and led by the US Forest Service.  The temperature was about 29 degrees and the sun was fighting through the clouds- sometimes with success and other times losing out to a light snow.  Best of all were those moments when sun and snow shared the sky.

Colin, Karen, Ross, Ed, and Cindy at the trailhead

Steep going near the beginning of the trail

After an hour or so, with no clear idea of when the incessant grade would lessen, we decided to stop in a clearing for a lunch break.  The tree behind the group was old growth and probably five feet in diameter.  I scampered ahead to scout the trail and found that it flattened just a few hundred yards from our resting spot.

Trekking across the flats.

Crossing paths with back country skiers.

After navigating past a group of three skiers, who were returning from an afternoon higher in the hills, we stopped to admire the trail crossing the creek.  In the summer, it is easy crossing the two-foot diameter log.  As the winter season progresses, the log gets covered with a column of snow, which is passable by some, but we left it to braver souls.

A treacherous log bridge with at least 4' of snow on top.

Ross and Karen below Guye Peak

We continued on for another quarter mile of so and stopped below Guye Peak for a photo op. 

Ed and Cindy behind a snowbank.

Waterfall on Commonwealth Creek

 On the way down, we took a short detour to look at a waterfall on the creek.  The snow pillow on the rock in the foreground is at least 5 feet high. It seemed a fine time to get a self-photo and Ed was kind enough to push the shutter.  Luckily I did not back off the snowy precipice because the drop was about 20 feet and there is no easy way up the steep snow banks. 

Colin trying not to fall into the creek.

Guye Peak.

Guye peaked pokes in and out of view on the trail.  It is a spectacular triangular summit that is visible from I-90 and separates the Alpental drainage from Commonwealth Basin.

When complete, we had trekked about 3.3 miles in 4 hours.  Not bad for the first time on snowshoes for a few of us.  It was another great day in the Pacific NW.