Three Fingers 2009

Once again, my hiking buddy Rex organized a hike to Three Fingers. (see 2007, 2006) We had a large group this time: 10 guys! This time I have presented the story as about the journey.
	The trail starts out amid huge old trees. Since we were starting out with high energy, we didn't notice the frequent up-and-downs of the trail. (But we did on the way out!)
	Finally we get to saddle lake, and turn...
	Into a section that climbs through ponds, and marshy land.
	Since we have gained altitude, the seasons start to move back to spring and wild flowers.
	I also found this huge toadstool. (The next morning it had opened into an umbrella shape.)
	Eventually we start moving into land with more drainage.
	The bushes are more woody, and the evergreens grow more closely.
	We are approaching Goat Flats, and at times the trail is deeply rutted.
	On other hikes we had paused at Goat Flats, but this time we keep moving.
	A long grassy hill goes up to the trees.
	Now much of the rest of the hike will be traversing slopes. For a while we pass in and out of trees.
	From the trees we can start to see the infinite hills.
	And underneath the trees are blueberry bushes. We joke about our stained fingers and lips.
	The early traverse is surrounded by grass.
	Our goal is the gap in the middle. We will be coming from the left.
	The rocks under feet become larger, but the trailmakers did an excellent job so that the way is pretty flat.
	Finally at Tin Can Gap, we can look back and see Mt. Pilchuck.
	And then to the right, the way we came, in line with the Puget Sound and Everett.
	Ahead and above is our goal, with glaciers below it.
	Yours truly!
	To the right of the peak is the ridge we will be following; sometimes on top, but mostly on the far side.
	At times, the trail is like a sidewalk!
	But then there is the chute. It is steep, and many of the rocks are unstable. A safety rope has even been installed there.
	Usually there is only one or two people in it at a time.
	The trail just afterward is smooth, but has dramatic drop-offs on either side.
	This section we are climbing in ernest, and the trail is not as stable.
	Looking back, we can see the trail crossing the back side on the left as we have followed the ridge.
	This last climb to the snow field is again a good trail. Near here is our last source of water from snow melt.
	Then the snow field. The slope is brutal, and you have to climb carefully.
	The final scramble is tricky because the best path up isn't obvious, and the rocks tend to slide.
	Finally the notorious ladders.
	And we reach the top!
	This perspective shows why the ladders are needed. 25 feet of that top peak was dynamited off to make enough room to put the cabin up there.
	Andrew and Vasiliy were tired.
	But once up on top, you immediately start soaking in the view: Mt. Baker to the north.
	Mt. Rainier to the south.
	The infinite peaks to the east.
	The Puget Sound and the Olympics to the west.
	And empty air below you on all sides.
	When Dan and Harley arrived, they set up on the front porch making coffee, and later dinner.
	It came to sunset.
	And the shadow of our mountain could be seen almost touching Glacier Peak.
	Dan had spotted mountain goats, and we were all trying to track them.
	Every time I have been up here, the sunsets have been outstanding!
	And then the lights of the city come out. Somehow we found room in that little 14x14 cabin to sleep 10 adult guys!
	The next morning Davey shot the sunrise. We all left the cabin pretty early to get on the trail.
	And we all made it back to the cars tired, in great spirits, and in good time.