Monthly Archives: July 2020

Oh My Goodness This trip was an astrophotography bonanza. Davis Peak sits just north of the intersection of the Cle Elum and Waptus Rivers, about a mile-and-a-half past where state highway 903 ends at the Salmon la Sac campground in central Washington. The 20%-grade trail switchbacks straight up the southern ridgeline for four miles before leveling out at the foundation of an old fire lookout. A short distance to the west lies a craggy central summit, past which progress can only be made by scrambling. I embarked on an overnight to take advantage of the new moon for astrophotography and [...]

Mount Stuart from Red Mountain Third time's a charm. After two previous forays along Red Mountain Trail #1330 I finally managed to reach the ridge and then followed it north to the summit. Approach valley The trail ascends a southwestern valley with a steep southern wall, meaning that it receives minimal sun exposure. As a result, even in early July there are still large patches of snow out in the open and there were still 2 to 3 feet of snow on the ground above 5,400 feet in the final climb to the ridge. The trail itself went from almost [...]