King Creek Ridge attempt
- December 26, 2001
Hiking with Colleen.
Given the winter conditions and a fresh layer of snow, short and easy King Creek Ridge seemed like a good idea. If we had taken the correct route up it might have been! My navigation was erred right from the get-go, as we headed up King Creek and around the south side of the mountain, instead of heading up the west side. Unable to find an easy route up, we went straight up the nearest gully, hoping to find the trail somewhere. The gully was steep, wet, and slippery and struggling up it was far more than we bargained for. Eventually we came to less steep terrain, but we were still bushwhacking and nowhere near the trail. Colleen was tired and so I went on ahead to see if we could get up to the south end of the ridge. I didn't quite make it to the ridge, but was fairly sure that if we continued up we would get there sooner or later. I descended to get Colleen (who was not terribly impressed at this point!), and to her credit, she followed me up. Another 45 minutes and we finally made the south end of the ridge.
There, we found ourselves in knee-deep snow and after a futile struggle to make some progress towards the summit at the north end of the ridge, we gave up. Too much snow, and too little time and energy!
Colleen suggested that we try descending down the west side of the mountain. Anything was better than trying to get down that steep gully. It was a great decision and we descended with ease (this was the route we should have used for the ascent). I know we'll be returning to complete this one!
Frosted trees amid beautiful winter scenery
Colleen on descent
Striking mountains of the Opal Range
King Creek Ridge II attempt
- February 2, 2002
Hiking with Mark and Keri.
Back again to King Creek Ridge! This time we took the correct route up, however, once again the extremely deep snow on the ridge stopped us dead in our tracks. How about snowshoes?? ......duh!
Keri and Mark on the south end of the This is where the snowshoes might
summit ridge have been nice!
Looking down King Canyon
King Creek Ridge and King Canyon
- August 17, 2002
- Mountain height: 2,622 m (8,600 feet)
- Elevation gain: 731 m
- Round-trip distance: approx. 7 km
- Round-trip time: 6 hours
Hiking with Colleen, Kelly, and Donald.
A third attempt at the King Creek Ridge summit, and this time we were not to be denied. We had a great time on this easy hike and a fresh layer of snow and clear skies made for some fantastic scenery. Like Old Baldy, this insignificant summit boasts a terrific summit panorama, featuring the stunning Opal Range. On return, we decided to take a detour by descending the east slopes into King Creek. It took a little extra time, but the scenery of King Canyon was well worth it.
Mount Hood (left) and Mount Brock (right)
Colleen, enjoying some food and a well-deserved break at the summit
Me, Kelly, and Donald also enjoying the summit; Mount Hood dominates just right of center
More terrific scenery on descent (too bad about that awful line across the picture!)
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