Wet and Hidden Peaks

Michael, his old buddy Scott, and I met up at the Albertsons on Federal Way Sunday morning for an alpine start, destined to climb a couple of Lost River Range 11ers.  The days forecast called for temps in the 40s, 30% chance of POP and 20-30mph winds.  Due to the unknown conditions, we brought everything but the kitchen sink with us (coats, gloves, ice axes, crampons and ski goggles for wind protection).

Four hours later, Michael's FJ took us to the end of Bear Creek road, and we were hiking up the well maintained Bear Creek trail at 10AM in bright sunshine and little wind.  Hmmm.

This is for Dylan

Only a portion of the Bear Creek trail is shown on the USGS topo map.  It actually follows the creek all the way to Bear Creek Lake.  It is a nice trail, steep and recently cleared of dead fall.  Somewhat of an anomaly for the LRR.

The stream from nowhere

We took a short break in the warming temperatures at Bear Creek Lake before turning north and heading for a large cirque surrounded by Octoberfest, Wet and Hidden Peaks at 10,000 feet.  It didn't take long before we were missing the trail.  Though the rock was relatively stable, it was still loose, sharp, Lost River limestone.

The end of the trail

Heading to the cirque

Looking back at Bear Creek Lake

As we crested the ridge and entered the cirque at 10,000 feet, we finally felt the wind picking up.  It wasn't blowing 30 or even 20mph and actually felt pretty good.

The cirque had a patchwork of soft snow across it, and we did our best to stay out of it and on the tundra as we gawked at the surrounding peaks.

Scott enjoying the view

First view of Hidden Peak

Wet Peak

South Wet

Michael didn't have much interest in re-climbing Hidden Peak, and I was hoping for a twofer, so we decided to split up.  With a big cornice on the saddle between South Wet and Wet Peaks, Michael and Scott would have to traverse South Wet before heading up the ridge to Wet.  If I maintained a good pace, I figured I'd be able to meet them at the summit of Wet after climbing Hidden.

So, we parted ways.  I dropped down, crossed the cirque, and headed up the mostly snow free southern face of Hidden Peak.  Nothing special here, just put your head down and zigzag up.  On the way I spotted a few sheep on the saddle between Wet and Hidden.

About an hour after our separation, I reached the summit of Hidden Peak at 11,308 feet.  The wind had picked up and it was a bit chilly on top.  So, after a quick bit to eat and some photos, I was off for Wet.

Alone on the summit of Hidden Peak

Looking at Wet Peak from Hidden Peak

As I moved down off the summit of Hidden Peak, I could occasionally find Michael and Scott in the mass of rocks.  From their position, it appeared that I might be able to actually beat them to the summit of Wet Peak.  So I quickened my pace down the 500 feet to the connecting ridge.

Scott on their ridge to Wet Peak

Once on the ridge, I realized that I should slow down and take my time.  Though I chased the sheep off the ridge, there wasn't much of a trail and the rock was very loose.  So I carefully picked my way up, over and around the spiny ridge.  There were a couple of spicy moves just before the final, short trudge up to Wet at 11,309 feet.  Exciting!

My ridge to Wet Peak

I believe that I arrived on the summit 5-10 minutes after Michael and Scott.  By this time the wind was whipping, and dark clouds were forming to the west.  We took a couple of quick pictures and started down off the summit to get out of the biting wind.

Wet Peak Summit shot

Looking back at Hidden Peak

Rather than traverse over South Wet, we opted to take out the ice axes and butt glissade our way down the north face.  After a couple of sweet rides, we were back in the cirque picking our way around the soft snow.

Scott preparing to take off with Michael down below

We retraced our steps back to the lake and then down the steep trail to the FJ.  We all arrived a little tired, but glad that the the weather cooperated.

Stats:

Distance - 9 miles

Elevation - 4400 feet

Time: 7.5 hours