Scott

Lake Margaret Hike – 2024

September 22, 2024 by Scott Leave a Comment

The original pick for this hike was Big Heart Lake, but with nasty weather creeping in, Greg called an audible with Johnny G. to go to the East side of the mountains to a lake recommended by John’s son Quinn – Lake Margaret. It was a great call as the 7 of us had really great weather for hiking, fishing, frisbee-golfing, bourbon tasting, cribbage and day hiking. We got a little drizzle in the evenings, but nothing major.

John Dossett picked up John Howell and Patrick Boyer from SeaTac on his way up from Portland and the four of us met with Greg, Ralph and Johnny G. at the Party Barn (Ralph’s place) in Leavenworth. We headed in for the ~10 mile hike to the lake – took us a little over 6 hours. The first 4.5 miles or so had a slight up but was mostly along the creek with several broken bridges that had to be navigated around (see the pics). The next 5.5 was a long slow grind up to Lake Margaret. The mushrooms along the trail were amazing! There were some people already up there on a Thursday night but we found some good enough spots to sleep for the night.

The next day Greg, Ralph and Johnny G. bagged Cape Horn with a 6 hour round trip day hike while the rest of us hung out and played cribbage, explored Lake Margaret and fished like crazy! So many hungry trout. We all caught as many as we wanted but only kept the big ones for dinner. At one point Patrick said he caught 30 but only kept 7. The other thing that happened was that the group camping in the big group site left so we moved in and took it over – perfect alpine lake group campsite. That night was a really nice fire, grilled fish and bourbon tasting! John Dossett was the winner this year with a Portland based bourbon called Freeland. Scott had a close second with a Willet Pot Still Reserve.

The next day we all hiked up to Lake Mary which got us another 2,500 feet of elevation and killer views of the top of the Enchantments and the rain clouds parked on the West Side of the Cascades. Pat and I spent the day fishing and catching around Lake Mary while the rest of the guys played some epic frisbee golf. We saw a momma Marmot and two of her babies running around on the side of the hill just up from the lake as well. After the hike back we had another lovely evening with some light rain, medium sized fire and som more fish on the grill.

The hike out started about 9am and took us 5-ish hours. Cold beers awaited us at the trailhead and then we headed back to Ralph’s to re-group and then into Leavenworth for some snitzel, brots and more beers. Great trip! Click here for the full photo album on Google.

Lake Margaret as viewed from the hike up to Lake Mary

Necklace Valley Hike – 2023

October 26, 2023 by Scott Leave a Comment

What happens when you bring 9 friends together and send them into the woods for three nights loaded with fishing gear, bourbon and attitude? Magic, that’s what. Originally my turn to pick, we had some scheduling mis-communications when Latimer put the Necklace Valley stake in the ground for a early October hike (always a risky move given weather – see Wallowa Hike notes). BUT, the weather was PERFECT and we had a glorious weekend together – Greg, Scott, Ralph, Jeff, Patrick, Mark (boyfriend in-law?), Rob B., John Howell and Johnny G. (two nights only).

Necklace Valley is a hard hike that has four miles of flat along the East Fork of the Foss River outside of Skykomish and then climbs 3,000+ feet in 3.5 miles. It’s a grunt. Especially when carrying three nights worth of food, booze and activities. Will Shortt once asked – “why do the hikes get longer as we get older?” good question.

I picked up Patrick, Mark and John Howell from the airport and hosted them Weds night while Rob Blake snuggled in with Jeff. We headed up early Thursday and made the 7 hour + hike to Emerald Lake where we had a sweet group hang out site and owned that lake (one of many in the valley). Johnny G. started a couple of hours behind us but caught up when we started setting up camp. The weather was perfect and the colors were magnificent. Golds, reds, greens – from Maples and Aspens turning as well as all of the lush river moss, pine/cedar/fir trees. Really a stunning (and hard) hike.

Greg, Ralph and Johnny G. bagged Mt. Hinman on day two while the rest of us explored and fished Lake Illswoot. Beautiful, sunny day of fishing, swimming, sun bathing and relaxing. Mark found the honey hole and pulled in a half dozen Rainbows. Jeff was also successful while Scott struck out. We had plenty of fish to cook that night with Rob Blake performing the de-boning duties (always nice having a surgeon along on these trips).

Day three was a trip to Lockett Lake for more fishing which was challenging to get to and hard to find a good casting spot. The spin casters definitely won the day over the fly fisherman with superior distance into the middle. Both Latimer and Murray were slaying the trout while Scott struck out (again). We ended up heading back to camp for afternoon naps, frisbee golf and then a trip back to Illswoot for the evening hatch. I took over Mark’s honey hole and pulled in the last fish of the trip (nice Rainbow).

That night was also bourbon tasting and we crowned a new champion courtesy of Jeff Thompson – Old Emmer Cask Strength Wheat Bourbon. Cask strength bourbons have won the last three years so…

The hike out was as beautiful as the hike in (and a lot quicker). Stunning fall colors, a few broken hiking poles, lots of good conversation and some cold beers (thanks Jeff!) at the parking lot. Here are my pictures of the hike and here are Greg’s pics (including the view from the top of Hinman).

Dave Dawson Memorial Hike

October 13, 2021 by Scott Leave a Comment

David Dawson was (and forever will be) a core part of our hiking, poker, Seaside beach party, frisbee golf friend group. Dave passed away in January of 2021 from cancer – far too young. We have many stories of Dave including his hike leadership (mostly getting lost), his hosting of poker games (dealing with his huge dogs) and hanging out with him at Seaside (also with his big dogs).

This hike was organized by Greg Latimer and included Greg, Johnny G. , John Dossett (up from Portland), Eric Platou (in from Illinois), Ralph Murray and Yours truly. It was an incredible weekend of friendship, remembrance, beautiful scenery and really great weather (thanks Dave!).

The hike was at Flapjack Lakes – two lakes side by side – on the Olympic Peninsula. We went in on a glorious Thursday afternoon (meeting at the trailhead parking lot – 3 cars – within 20 minutes of each other). Packs on, up the hill we go on a beautiful day – the weather over the three nights was fabulous.

We found a great spot to camp with two different sleeping pods and a place on the water to hang out and cook. No fires allowed, but incredible star gazing and an almost full moon rise on the spit between the two lakes. The lakes were full of hungry trout – Eric got the award for the most, but John Gerberding pulled in the biggest and were lovely to hike around.

The highlight was hiking up to Gladys Divide and Gladys Peak on Friday. We spread Dave’s ashes in a wonderful celebration with Angel’s Envy bourbon and shot glasses that Greg had etched with Davy D moniker and “I’m a scientist, dammit!” quote. It was a very special day. Dave’s family is happy/proud that half of Dave’s ashes now reside at the base of Mt. Cruiser on the Olympic Peninsula near the High Divide.

We spent the rest of the weekend playing cribbage (Scott was king), fishing, playing mountain Bocce ball (thanks for bringing the set up Johnny G.!), drinking, smoking, telling Dave stories and enjoying the moment.

The image below is Dave, Eric and Greg from our hike in 2010 at Lyman Lakes. It was a great time and classic Dave.

The gallery below that is from the trip to Flapjack Lakes.

We miss you Dave. RIP.

Dave, Eric and Greg at Lyman Lake – 2010

Gallery of photos from the Dave Dawson memorial hike. Download images from here.

Boys Hike – Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness

October 20, 2018 by Scott Leave a Comment

I love the annual ritual of going somewhere beautiful in our great country that is in the mountains, along a river or near a beach with my buddies. Although the make-up of the group has changed over the years – “why is it that the older we get, the longer the hikes get?” wisely asks Will Shortt – the excitement around who gets to pick, the unveiling of the destination, wrangling for the right date and eventually – the meet-up and entrance into the woods. Here’s a list of the boys trips over the last 24 years.

The 2018 version was no different as Jeff Thompson’s pick was, of course, fantastic. Strangely, the same BitterRoot mountain range that he picked last time in 2013 – but a winner is a winner. The Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness is one of the largest wilderness areas in the lower 48 and is magnificent. Crew included Pat Boyer (AZ), Rob Blake (MT), Jeff Thompson (WA), John Howell (TX) and Yours Truly (WA).

Highlights included:

Fantastic weather – clear during day, cold at night – with only a light dusting of snow for about 20 minutes on the first night.
Bourbon tasting – the tradition continues with a Old Forrester, 120 proof, prohibition style bourbon winning the night.
Fishing – Ship Island Lake was our two night destination and lots of tasty trout live there. Some became dinner. We determined that a spin rod out performs fly rods in alpine lakes because you can get out to the middle easier.
Spruce Grouse – Stupid birds that defend themselves by being still and trying to blend in to environment. Not much of a defense mechanism for a trained, experienced hunter with hiking poles and a determination to win a $100 bet.
Bertrams Brewery – We had two great meals at this great restaurant in Salmon, ID.

Click here for the full selection of photos. Now, what to do next year for our 25th? It’s my pick and I’m on the clock…

Ship Island Lake - Frank Church Wilderness — Ship Island Lake – Frank Church Wilderness

High Sierras – Mt. Whitney – PCT – JMT

September 21, 2017 by Scott Leave a Comment

Jackson and Scott bagged the highest peak in the lower 48 states – Mt. Whitney – this summer on a 10 day trip with 6 on the trail. This was our third summer of epic hikes (West Coast Trail, Philmont and now High Sierras). It all started with a conversation with Don Davidson – long time friend and hiking inspiration – around joining him on the third leg of his Pacific Crest Trail journey with Bill Pope – owner of the Mazama Country Inn. I asked Jackson if he wanted to join and he was all-in which made me very happy. As schedules morphed and we pushed back for a later start, we looped in Jackson’s buddy Aldo to join us as well.

We left for California on Aug 25th (my birthday!) and spent the night with @willshortt which included a tour of the University of Oregon and a ceremonial coming of age watching of “Animal House” (which was filmed at UofO in Eugene…). Next day was a long drive to Lee Vining, CA to camp out and get up early to get permits for the hike which was a critical variable (success! note – Lee Vining – Mono Basin is the northern most ranger station for this part of the Sierra’s and the least busy which made getting permits easier).

Next we connected with Don (“Dog Gone”), Sandy (“Extra Credit”) and their two PCT hiking buddies “Hike On” and “Fox Fire” at Independence, CA for a night in a motel prior to heading up. Don made reservations at a local restaurant that was supposed be slow, but really good called Still Water (locals call is Still Waiting). After getting some drinks and ordering from a single front of the house older gentleman who spoke just enough English, he comes over and tells us that the “Chef has left the building, there will be no food for you and we will not charge you for the drinks.” Wow. We were absolutely dumbfounded. So, off to the mini-mart for ramen noodles and beef stew.

Up early the next day to catch a 6am ride up to Onion Valley trail head. Beautiful vista’s on the drive up but we climbed from around 6,000 feet elevation to almost 9,000 feet elevation at the trail head. On the first day we hiked over Kearsage Pass which is over 12,000 feet. Needless to say, we were feeling the impact of gaining so much altitude in a single day with 6 days of food and gear on our backs. Fortunately, we acclimated quickly and were fine on the rest of the trip.

After a couple of days hiking including the highest pass on the PCT – Forrester at 13,200 – we arrived at Crabtree Meadows for two nights of camping and a 15 mile round trip day hike up Mt. Whitney. We woke at 2:30am and started hiking at 4am. We peaked around 9:30am and spent over an hour taking pictures, eating and breathing thin air at the top of the world. We finished the day with a great swim in Guitar Lake.

The next day was a long hike – 16.5 miles – to Chicken Springs lake and then a short 5 mile hike out to the car. 70 miles in 5.5 days in a beautifully rugged part of the country over 10,000 feet for most of the time.

The boys got some great driving time on two lane highways, we enjoyed some excellent camp food, spent time with friends, made some new friends and hiked like crazy. It was great!

Click Here for Photos of the Mt. Whitney Trip