Trip Date: October 19-20, 2013
GOLDEN LARCH OUTING: ENTIAT MOUNTAINS
Carne–Leroy Loop: Carne Basin to Leroy Basin
Carne Basin
Carne Pass
Rock Creek Pass
Box Creek Basin
Box Creek Pass
Point 7880+ aka The Snowcone
Chipmunk Pass
Leroy Pass
Leroy Basin
Phelps Creek
Trip Report Summary
Region: North-Central Washington Cascades
Sub-Region: Entiat Mountains
Area: Glacier Peak Wilderness
Starting & Ending Point: Phelps Creek Trailhead at end of Phelps Creek Road (Elev. 3500 feet)
Way Points: Carne Creek & Carne Basin & Carne Pass & Rock Creek Pass & Box Creek Basin & Box Creek Pass & Chipmunk Pass & Leroy Pass & Leroy Basin & Leroy Creek & Phelps Creek & Carne Creek (trail hike & off-trail hike & snow hike)
Campsite: Box Creek Pass
Summit: The Snowcone (snow hike via West Slope—Northwest Ridge)
Approximate Stats: 14 miles traveled; 6500 feet gained & lost.
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Full Trip Report
Inspired by a blast of Indian Summer last weekend, Lisa and Mary-Beth joined me for a Frozen Larch Outing that actually turned out to be a “Late Golden Larch” version of the classic Carne–Leroy Traverse in the Entiat Mountains. This was my fifth or sixth time doing the traverse, but it never gets old. In fact, the fall color and partial snowcover made this one seem more grand than ever.
Day 1: Trailhead to Box Creek Pass + The Snowcone
The Phelps Creek Trailhead was bustling with day-hikers and backpackers on Saturday morning. Most people appeared to be headed up Carne Mountain. The view of nearby Buck Mountain, still wearing its cloak of early October snow, was easily worth the price of admission.
- Buck Mountain From Carne Mountain
We encountered about a foot of crusty snow in Carne Basin and on all shady slopes above 6000 feet. After descending to Rock Creek Pass, however, we could see that most southern and western slopes along our high traverse route were largely free of snow.
- High Route View From Rock Creek Pass
The patchy snow cover caused us some minor problems as we tried to follow the old sheepherder’s trail northward from Rock Creek Pass. We lost the trail several times in snowy areas but were always able to regain it in the bare areas. After a few hours, we ascended into Lower Box Creek Basin. Golden larch trees—most of which were just past their peak of color—ringed the basin.
- Carne Mountain and Lower Box Creek Basin
The day had started out a bit cool but became progressively warmer. By mid-afternoon, it was downright hot. To be honest, this would have felt like just a typical warm day if it had been August; today, however, with our heat tolerance in a state of autumn decline, the sun seemed nothing short of oppressive! We huffed and puffed up the final slopes to 7000-foot Box Creek Pass and made camp (6.1 hours from TH).
- Lisa and Mary Beth Approaching Box Creek Pass
Given a couple hours of remaining daylight, we took a side trip up to the crest of Ice Creek Ridge above camp. The views of Ice Lakes and the surrounding peaks were excellent from the crest.
- Ice Lakes From Ice Creek Ridge
Lisa had spotted a high snow-covered dome (Point 7880+) closely south of our position on the crest and insisted that we tuck this in. In keeping with the icy theme, we dubbed it “The Snowcone.”
- Mary Beth Ascending The Snowcone
- Mt Maude and Lisa From The Snowcone
- Carne Mountain From The Snowcone
The sun was setting as we descended back to camp, giving a soft glow to the larch trees and snow. This was “magic light.”
- Fortress Mountain and Chiwawa Mountain From Camp
Day 2: Box Creek Pass to Leroy Basin to Trailhead
The night had been unexpectedly warm and calm, with a full moon and no clouds. We awoke to a crystal-clear morning.
- Morning Moon Over Box Creek Pass Camp
- Sunlit Larches Below Camp
Our route from camp made a descending traverse on breakable crust to Chipmunk Creek. From here, the old sheepherder’s trail (I should clarify that the trail is old, but the sheepherders were not necessarily old) contours out to the left on a spur ridge. Instead of following the trail, we ascended to 7360-foot Chipmunk Pass, which provides access to Ice Lakes, for those so inclined.
- Chipmunk Pass From Box Creek Pass
- Traversing To Chipmunk Pass From Box Creek Pass
From Chipmunk Pass, we wallowed down a steep slope of cold powder snow, then regained the sheepherder’s trail as it angled up to 6850-foot Leroy Pass. The contrast between north-facing slopes (with 2 to 3 feet of snow) and south-facing slopes (completely snow-free) was quite striking here.
- Descending To Leroy Pass
After descending from Leroy Pass, we continued traversing below the west face of Mt. Maude. The infamous erosion gully, which resulted from the devastating October 2003 rainstorm, had eased back over the past decade and was relatively easy to cross.
- Crossing 2003 Erosion Gully
More traversing and descending eventually brought us into expansive Leroy Basin (3.2 hours from camp). We stopped for lunch in the empty basin before heading down the Leroy Creek Trail. It was another hot day, and we wished for a swimming lake here.
- Seven Fingered Jack From Leroy Basin
The final 5 miles back to the trailhead (6.1 hours from camp) felt like a summertime hike. I contemplated the fact that this excellent traverse had not been so much a Golden Larch Outing as a Broiled Larch Outing!
Route Map & Profile
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Photo Gallery
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