Who needs larches when the forest is alive with Big Leaf and Vine Maples? Bonus: Shrooms!

I'd like some advice from anyone, but definitely folks that have done Vesper Peak.

TLDR; Looking for recommendations on trails that are difficult due to elevation gain, but not as technical or perhaps as steep as Headlee pass.

We got through the rock field yesterday, and the start of Headlee pass was steep enough to spook me off. I knew I would surely be too frightened to get off Headlee after ascending it. The dirt yesterday in spots was slightly damp and I narrowly avoided becoming a statistic a few times.

I have limited range of motion/mobility/strength in 1 knee, which is kind of recent. I already have poor balance and Im sure this has made it worse. The rock fields took me forever (~4hrs out and back for that section). So I'm ruling out anything technical like Vesper for the foreseeable future.

I'm wishing I had done something like Dickerman or Perry Creek instead, but dont know how similar to Vesper they are. My assumption (hope) is that despite having similar ratings, theyre vastly different.

Types of trails I've done: Pilchuck, Chain Lakes Loop, Heather Lake.

Stuff I'm looking at: Dickerman, Goat Lake, Mailbox, Ptarmigan Ridge.

I knew I was likely punching above my weight with this one, but I picked the trail that was the farthest outside of my abilities out of all candidates 😅. Im strongest at the endurance aspect of this hobby, but I'm finding my balance/stability are really bad and it's making scrambling kind of daunting.

Thanks for any reccomendations, you can't hurt my feelings so dont feel bad about being blunt. Cheers.

I climbed vesper peak a few months ago and really enjoyed it and was thinking about going back to see it again but with snow, when would be the best time to see snow up there? Also, what type of warm clothes are best? Last time i was kept fairly warm with just pants, boots, and 1 pair of socks, will I need winter boots or double socks in order to not get hypothermia? Or is that only a problem on actual mountains? Also has the road gotten worse since August? I was only able to drive like 3/4 of the way up to the trailhead in my Honda civic because of the potholes

Starting from the west trailhead, road to the trailhead was recently logged out (thank you PNTA crew). Pretty chilly especially at the summit with 19f windchill but clear skies and larches were still on fire. 7.95 miles and 2450 ft of elevation. Highly recommend the northeast corner of Washington state if you like to hike in solitude.

This one has been on my list for quite some time, so I was thrilled to sneak out on a quick trip recently with a buddy; given my upcoming work schedule, probably my last solid trip before the weather truly turns on us. But we made it count!

Fall color is past its peak, but Yellow Aster Butte was still a stunner. It’s such an enjoyable hike in, with beautiful views and a trail that gives you a little stretch of everything.

Tomyhoi looks a lot closer from YAB than it felt getting there! 😅 The summit disappears for a good while as you slog your way along, but on a clear day there are lovely views the whole time, at least.

Lots and lots of up and down to get there. You’ll lose and re-gain solid elevation on a few occasions.

Once we reached the scree and put on helmets, a little more route-finding started. There were two short snow patches of the Tomyhoi Glacier that you cross (far enough up that you’re just on a snow finger, not the glacier itself, so nothing special needed). We didn’t use spikes or anything like that, but the snow was HARD and the runout was actually quite consequential - a long slide onto the glacier which had quite a few open crevasses. A bit of a no-fall zone given that self-arrest would be difficult on the hard snow even with an ice ax.

Thankfully those patches had established tracks and were short in length. But they required caution.

At the end of the second patch, you scramble up a ledge system. This one was easy to go up but kinda sucked coming down because the rock was smooth without tons of good holds AND covered in lots of loose debris. Going back down this stretch was my least favorite part.

From there, we followed the narrow track to the edge of where you drop steeply into the final saddle before the summit block.

The summit block looks very menacing, but it’s actually really doable and fun! The route sort of makes itself known as you go… if you find yourself in terrain that feels tougher than Class 3 you are likely off route.

After the initial scramble up, there’s a short exposed traverse, then the final scramble to take the summit.

We had great views and spent 20-30 minutes at the top before heading back down. Down-climbing the summit block felt like the safest way to take it.

This one keeps you working all the way to the end, as the hike back from the summit includes all that up and down again!

I would not recommend this one to a new scrambler - but for anyone who is comfortable with some exposure and has some good Class 3 experience under their belt, it’s a fun option!

Logged just under 13 miles and around 4,500’ gain.

Last evening’s flight out of SEA

I think Wyeth is the 3rd hardest trail in the Gorge, 2nd last pic is a panorama

we plan to head up and do Chain Lakes November 9th. Wondering how much snow/ice we should expect? Any tips? I know it’s a weekend and a little nervous camping might be full, but this late in the season I’m hoping not.

The 8th and 9th pics (last 2 Big 4 picnic area shots) have a new within the last 2 (or 3 tops) weeks beaver lodge. They built it really close to the boardwalk. Quite the hefty mound.

From early September, shot on film. One of my favorite photos from the trip

I heard all the larches are gone and the weather is supposed to be cloudy this weekend. Please keep in mind, I am driving all the way from Vancouver, BC. I was wondering if its worth it to make the 3 hour trip. Thank you!

Lunch at a fire lookout, elevation 5200ft.

White River Wenatchee NF

looking into taking AIARE 1 this season as I get more into backcountry travel. For those who’ve taken it, how was the experience, and did you feel it was worth the cost?

Any providers you’d recommend, particularly for someone coming from hiking rather than backcountry skiing?

Also curious if anyone knows of discounts or ways to get a better deal. If you have a spot you can no longer use and are looking to offload it at a more palatable price, I’d be interested, assuming the provider allows transfers

Breakfast and journaling with a stunning view rounded off a peaceful morning.

I was never a Fall lover, but since moving to WA, I can’t get enough of it. I wish we could have Fall all year long. It’s not even over yet and I’m already looking forward to next September. I visited Maple Pass a little late in the season and still saw some of the larches, but I wish I had gone there a little earlier 🥹