These video scrambles can be viewed on the OFF TRAIL pulldown

Chipping away at the Mountaineers 100 peaks in MRNP has provided for solitary days and splendid views. After last week's Wonderland trail hike, I took a few days to recover and went back to the park, camping at White River. I had my mountain bike with me as I wanted to get multiple climbs to Sunrise in along with the hiking, but half way up on the first afternoon I noticed a lot of bouncing going on...my rear tire was going flat. I pumped it up and beat feet back down the hill. When I went to change out the tube, I discovered that all my spares were for my other two bikes. So much for biking.

I slept in and the next day I drove to the Owyhigh Lakes trailhead, surprisingly empty. This trail is quite nice, not rocky or rooty with a good grade for both ascending and descending. Shortly after passing the lakes I set out on a way trail to access Barrier Peak (6521'). The route description was sparse to say the least. I endured some unpleasant steep tree and meadow hiking, passing the barrier (not Barrier Peak, but it's a big hunk of rock) on the right. I mistakenly climbed to a notch which was a waste of energy and had to drop back down, finally finding a relatively clear shot to Barrier Peak. This was hot work and I finally arrived at the summit huffing and puffing. It's hard to describe these top out moments as the breeze cools me off while I rotate for 360 degree views. As I was climbing, the tippy top of Rainier started peeking out and the views towards the mountain from Barrier had the Cowlitz Chimneys as a foreground. From there I set out to Buell (5756') via a connecting ridge, which proved to be quite doable for this old man. All the while the views smacked me in the face on either side and eventually I came to the gentle meadows that led to the summit of Buell, meadows that enticed me from the Barrier summit. Buell is more of a walk up but open enough to continue the viewfest.

*Rainier from the Summit of Barrier Peak (6521’)*

The only thing left was to launch into the forest and drop down to the Owyhigh Lakes trail, and on this account I managed to completely miss the climbers trail if there was one. At least 5 times I was on my bum on very steep terrain, sometimes availing myself of a dry wash off and on as I descended. The slope abated at last and suddenly I found myself on the trail, relieved to be out of that mess. My hands were covered in dirt and pitch from tree and veggie belays. I was quite happy to have such nice trail for trotting back to the van, which I drove back to my spot at White River and proceeded to take a hot shower, drink a cold beer, make dinner and basically chill. Sweet.

Spur of the moment the next day I decided to hit Banshee and maybe Central Cowlitz and set out at the latish hour of 10 AM from White River. This added nearly 6 miles RT to the day vice just driving and parking at the Fryingpan Creek trailhead but I figured there would be no parking there for me anyway. There was a new bridge over the White River so I was able to avoid the road walk, which I had done the week before. Again these trails are quite pleasant with easy going and I knew the meadow climb to Banshee was also mild. I kicked back to enjoy a longish 21 mile RT day, which in comparison to my 30+ mile days on the Wonderland seemed kinda easy. The flowers were blooming on the slopes to Banshee and the goats were below cooling themselves off on a snow field. I like Banshee in that it's basically a walk up but when you stand on the summit it's one of the airiest views I've seen, dropping down to the Sarvant Glacier far below. I departed with the thought to hit Central Cowlitz but as I scoped out the slopes and looked at my watch, I decided to hit that another day. At 3 PM it would have put me back at White River after 9 PM; I need my beauty rest. I was crossing the White River bridge at 7:30 PM so the day worked out just right.

Sure there are times when the going is "quite unpleasant" on some of these off trail summit jaunts, but how I enjoy the solitude, the views and the toil that comes with it. Although I've been exploring MRNP for almost 40 years, it's only been in the last 10 or so that I've been venturing into the "wilds" of the park, divorcing myself from the main boulevards and venturing into the unknown. I have yet to see one other person on these peak bagging trips when I get off the access trails, something to be embraced with the ever increasing crowds and traffic we have all seen. This alone makes the effort worthwhile.

*Cowlitz Chimneys from Banshee Peak (7400’)*