Trip Report: Eldorado Peak ...back to home

A year of yearning and a week and a half of planning led Josh G, Don H, and me, Chris G, up the Cascade River Road to milepost 20. Friday night we ate a quick dinner in Sedro-Woolley at the Greek place (which is very tasty if you haven't been) and we were out! We didn't get to the parking area until about 8:30, but at this time of year, that isn't a plan stopper. Preparing for a hike can take time, but we threw a lot of stuff in grocery bags and assembled at the trailhead parking lot. Josh threw out the tarp and began spreading out the gear. Biners, prussiks, harnesses, pickets, slings, and a plethora of dried fruit was sprawled across the tarp in an effort to inventory what we each needed. Once the bags were packed, we all curled up in the newest fad in trailers. We opened the bed lid to Don's truck, laid out a bunch of squishy mats, topped them with sleeping bags, and threw a tarp over top of the lid. Bug protection- check. Warmth- check. Squished chick in the middle- check. Seriously, it wasn't bad, but if they were both on their backs, I had to lie on my side... and listen to the soft snoring. But I made it to 4 am with a little sleep and we were up. We used the convenient facilities there in the parking lot and ate some breakfast and had some chai tea lattes. And what amazing dehydrated meal did we eat, you ask? Why, it was a reconstituted casserole of hashbrowns, eggs, and sausage. It was yummy and I am happy to pass along the recipe to anyone who is as crazy about their dehydrator as I am. The night before we had found out about a group of Seattle Mountaineers that were also headed up and in the early part of the day, we learned there were 9 people and we all knew the hop scotch was about to begin.



By 5:15 we were on the "trail" crossing the raging torrent of a river on tiny little logs. Ok, so maybe it isn't a torrent and the logs are quite substantial, but anyone that knows me knows that I am not a fan of crossing water. About 100 yards back to the west of the parking lot is the "trail" and the logs are very easy to identify as the ones that are crossable. Once we got across, it was smooth sailing- well as smooth as it can be on *that* trail. In case you haven't heard, the Eldorado trail is hailed as one of the worst in the north Cascades. It essentially climbs 1800 feet in about a mile or so. And yes, you feel every step. Crawling over large fallen trees and stepping up ladders of roots get you really sweating in no time. The trail is in good condition otherwise and the soft needles and duff layer are something you will likely crave on your way back down. Why? Because the next obstacle on the journey is a talus field. Oh no, wait... two.



Stepping on to the talus field you can just feel the joy that is being exuded from each member on your team. "Oh boy," we all think. "Two hours of boulder hopping? Could it be any better?" Well, no. Not really. The talus is full of wobbly teeter totter rocks, but I find that they add an air of excitement to the trip. Never really knowing if that rock will hold you keeps you on the balls of your feet! There were cute little marmots all over and I counted at least 4. Following the cairns helps you get to the right place, but essentially, you are just headed up. We took along some flagging with us to mark the trail. The last time we attempted Eldorado, we had a hard time finding the trail on the way back down. A bright pink piece of ribbon can really help that! Not that it mattered, because we missed the majority of the trail on the second talus field. Stay climber's right and you will find it, which will make your trip a little easier. Well, unless you rock at boulders. Get it? Rock?!



We broke through the top of the talus fields directly into snow. This was at about 5500 feet and this is the area to fill up all your water containers. We didn't filter our water, and no one died, but it's up to you. I didn't put any bacteria into the stream though, so I bet you will be ok. Then came just a bit of navigating through trees and over snowbridges to find your way to the ridge line. Last year about this time, when Josh and I attempted before, the snow level was a bit higher and there was less worry about snow bridges. This year, lots of snow, so a little more caution for a few hundred feet. So we let the other group lead for a while. That was the first pass.



Crossing the ridgeline is about one of the hardest things on the Eldorado trek. You need to cross at just the right spot, or you are kinda screwed. 6150 feet seems to be the magic number. Once we got to the right spot, it was obvious. The "walkway" down is slippery and has a bit of heather to steady you, but ideally, you can just travel down the snow. Once across the ridge, there was a moat. It didn't look that bad, so Josh chucked his poles in order to use his hands. The moat ate a pole. So if you go later in the season and find a pole, he would like it back. Once over the moat, we decided to eat a bit and rope up. At that point, we were near enough to the glacier that it seemed reasonable to rope up. The first few hundred yards left us wondering if we made the right choice, as Don said "if this gets any icier, I suggest unroping!" But then we hit that sunshine and everything was gravy.



Up the snow field and kicking steps, I got wiped and traded with the husband. He did the rest. Well, we were walking parallel to the Mountaineers, and then we ended up falling in behind them. I think Josh and Don could have lapped them, but I was glad they were slow because I am out of shape and wimpy. It was at least 700 degrees outside and I was really ready to eat some lunch. I mentioned to the last guy in the Mountaineers line that it was almost lunch time and he said he could hardly wait either. Once we got up to about 7600 feet, there was an outcropping of rock that would make a good campsite. Of course, we didn't camp there. Well, not long. We sat down and ate lunch about 12:15 and as I unpacked some yummies, I told that last guy in the line that I would give him some dehydrated apples, but he had to come and get them. His buddy overheard and he grabbed enough for them both. It was windy at our little spot and the larger group went on to find a less windy spot to stop.



We were moving again in no time, all fueled up on dehydrated apples and strawberries, with some chocolate and sandwiches as side dishes. This was it- the push to the top. So we fell in line behind the other group and slowly ascended. And I mean slowly. Again, I was ok with it, because I was struggling. I felt like I was about to pass out or puke, or something, and it was uncool. But still, I amazingly fought onward. I know.



Hours seemed to pass. And then we heard the leader of their group get up over the cornice onto the famous knife edge ridge. He got up there and sounded insecure. He was scrambling for pickets and trying to get things protected for the rest of his group and ours. He was pretty serious about how terrible it was up there and that you had to be really serious to get up there. By the time we got up there, I had worked myself into a bit of a frenzy. Then I saw that edge, and I was done. So about 100 feet from the summit, I wussed out and said I couldn't make it. Josh and Don were great about my wussiness and Josh said we came up as a team and would leave as one. So we took some pictures, and bailed right before the other group.



Going back down is really boring. Especially when you missed the summit by scardiness. Once we hit the talus field, we were really tired and talus sucks just as bad going down as up. Although on the way down we did get to see 2 pikas. So cute! And then you hit that horrendous trail. And you think it is never going to end. And for days it seems to drag on... oh, I mean, you know, you frolic down and skip back to camp. We got back about 7:15pm.

Back across the creek, out of the gross clothes, into some cotton, open a beer, and busted open a bag of salt and pepper chips. Then no stopping until we got to the Train Wreck.

Trail length: About 10 miles RT
Elevation gain: About 6900 accumulated feet
Water source: Above the talus at around 5500 feet
Bugs inhaled by me: 5
Total time: About 14 hours
We did not take crampons, but they may have helped on the knife edge.
Pictures to be found at: http://picasaweb.google.com/dhoward.gg/EldoradoPeak#