6-16-02
Today I was able to go on a scramble
I have long wanted to do. Goat Island Mountain is up the White River entrance
to Mount Rainier National Park. It is located just north of Summerland with
eye popping views of Rainier. I have hiked for about 20 years
now and I had never even been to Summerland. The trailhead is at
about 3800' and the summit is at 7288'. This trip was a Mountaineer scramble
with a party limit of 8. In many ways it was nicer than a party of 12. It
was led by Jay and Lindy Bruce. I always seem to have a great time on their
trips. In an unusual occurrence, we met at 8:00 am at the trailhead and
everyone was on time. There was a little patchy snow near the start but
not much. Very quickly we intersected the Wonderland Trail. It is very easily
graded for the 3+ miles we followed it. After a short distance we were on
snow. It was on and off at first then more solid snow. With the wide trail
and existing footprints it is very easy to follow.
At about 3 miles we left the forest and the trail was snow free. This was near the Frying Pan Creek crossing at 5200'. Once across the creek we were back on snow again. We were concerned about recrossing the creek farther up but the brush along the right side of the creek convinced us that crossing was better than beating brush. As it turned out recrossing was no problem. Once on the left side the going on snow was no problem. Where the Wonderland Trail would switchback up to Summerland, we angled right and headed out onto the snow covered moraine. The creek was mostly buried but occasionally in the open. Snow bridges are still solid enough to easily cross the creek. This will change quickly with more snow melt. From the lower moraine views opened up to Rainier, Little Tahoma, and behind us Tamanos Mountain. So far the day had been mostly sunny providing great views all around. After crossing the creek the way began to ascend more steeply. There were foot prints all this way and in fact all the way to the summit. We were early in the season but definitely not the first tot summit. Part way up the first snow section we moved onto a dirt rib and stopped for some food and water. The views across to Summerland and Panhandle Gap only became better.
After the break I took over the lead and continued a rising traverse to the right, aiming for the lower ridge of Goat Island Mountain. The snow conditions were excellent. I could easily kick steps and they held firm. I couldn't help stopping several times to turn around and take more pictures. This is one beautiful place on a sunny day in late Spring. Once on the ridge top, at 6400', we regrouped. From here it is only another 900' to the summit. The ridge top was snowy on the side we came up and largely bare on the other. We had a mix of snow and bare ridge all the way up. After a moderately steep section the ridge begins to level off. The first false summit, only 70' lower than the real one, was soon in view. From the top of this one the real summit came into view. At about this time the weather conditions really began to decline. Clouds seemed to be coming over all the ridges around us. When we first reached the ridge the summit of Rainier, Little Tahoma, and Steamboat Prow were all crystal clear. We even saw two rope teams near Camp Sherman. By the first false summit all of them were obscured or well on their way. We followed the leftward turning ridge on towards the real summit. There was only one spot where we traversed on steep snow and it was not too bad. I seemed to have a little more energy than usual and sprinted ahead to the summit. The summit is very broad. We could have put 80 people on top. By now our sunny day was over and it was time to bundle up and have some lunch. The summit views were fairly obscured but it wasn't so bad as we could see nearly everything when we first reached the ridge. We spent about 30 minutes on top.
The way down was lot's of fun. After moving around to the false summit it was nearly all down hill. The descent down to where we first reached the ridge went fast. From here we stayed higher than our ascent and moved across to straight above where we first began the rising ascent. Now it was nearly straight down to meet our trail. On steep snow this can only mean one thing: Glissade!! On went the waterproof pants and out came the ice axe. From near the ridge top to the end of the steep section was 375' of sliding fun. It was one of the better glissades I have done this year. The rest of the descent went smoothly. The sun didn't come back out but the clouds did lighten for awhile. Back down in the basin it was much warmer also. We were back at the cars a little after 4:00. Just another 8 hours day in the mountains. It turned out to be a great trip. Good snow conditions, good views, and a great group. Totals for the day were 12 miles and about 3600' gained. I will definitely go back to Goat Island Mountain in the future.
At about 3 miles we left the forest and the trail was snow free. This was near the Frying Pan Creek crossing at 5200'. Once across the creek we were back on snow again. We were concerned about recrossing the creek farther up but the brush along the right side of the creek convinced us that crossing was better than beating brush. As it turned out recrossing was no problem. Once on the left side the going on snow was no problem. Where the Wonderland Trail would switchback up to Summerland, we angled right and headed out onto the snow covered moraine. The creek was mostly buried but occasionally in the open. Snow bridges are still solid enough to easily cross the creek. This will change quickly with more snow melt. From the lower moraine views opened up to Rainier, Little Tahoma, and behind us Tamanos Mountain. So far the day had been mostly sunny providing great views all around. After crossing the creek the way began to ascend more steeply. There were foot prints all this way and in fact all the way to the summit. We were early in the season but definitely not the first tot summit. Part way up the first snow section we moved onto a dirt rib and stopped for some food and water. The views across to Summerland and Panhandle Gap only became better.
After the break I took over the lead and continued a rising traverse to the right, aiming for the lower ridge of Goat Island Mountain. The snow conditions were excellent. I could easily kick steps and they held firm. I couldn't help stopping several times to turn around and take more pictures. This is one beautiful place on a sunny day in late Spring. Once on the ridge top, at 6400', we regrouped. From here it is only another 900' to the summit. The ridge top was snowy on the side we came up and largely bare on the other. We had a mix of snow and bare ridge all the way up. After a moderately steep section the ridge begins to level off. The first false summit, only 70' lower than the real one, was soon in view. From the top of this one the real summit came into view. At about this time the weather conditions really began to decline. Clouds seemed to be coming over all the ridges around us. When we first reached the ridge the summit of Rainier, Little Tahoma, and Steamboat Prow were all crystal clear. We even saw two rope teams near Camp Sherman. By the first false summit all of them were obscured or well on their way. We followed the leftward turning ridge on towards the real summit. There was only one spot where we traversed on steep snow and it was not too bad. I seemed to have a little more energy than usual and sprinted ahead to the summit. The summit is very broad. We could have put 80 people on top. By now our sunny day was over and it was time to bundle up and have some lunch. The summit views were fairly obscured but it wasn't so bad as we could see nearly everything when we first reached the ridge. We spent about 30 minutes on top.
The way down was lot's of fun. After moving around to the false summit it was nearly all down hill. The descent down to where we first reached the ridge went fast. From here we stayed higher than our ascent and moved across to straight above where we first began the rising ascent. Now it was nearly straight down to meet our trail. On steep snow this can only mean one thing: Glissade!! On went the waterproof pants and out came the ice axe. From near the ridge top to the end of the steep section was 375' of sliding fun. It was one of the better glissades I have done this year. The rest of the descent went smoothly. The sun didn't come back out but the clouds did lighten for awhile. Back down in the basin it was much warmer also. We were back at the cars a little after 4:00. Just another 8 hours day in the mountains. It turned out to be a great trip. Good snow conditions, good views, and a great group. Totals for the day were 12 miles and about 3600' gained. I will definitely go back to Goat Island Mountain in the future.
Bridge |
Rainier From Moraine |
Crossing Moraine |
Summerland |
Rising Traverse |
Little Tahoma |
Looking Down Valley |
Photo Page 2
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