Shoulder Season

The promise of fall color and a dramatic view of a spiky mountain summit towering over a pristine alpine lake drew me to hike to the top of Mount McCausland this last Thursday. The Smithbrook trail gains elevation through a series of switchbacks up the junction with the Pacific Crest Trail (after about 1.25 miles and 650 feet gain). After turning left, the PCT ambles south through the woodland and finally breaks open near Lake Valhalla.

The trail up to Mount McCausland is the first obvious right just after a first glimpse of the lake. There is no longer any cairn. Just go right and go up. The trail soon steepens and gains elevation rapidly. In the lower sections, there are braids of trails, all of which converge as you get higher. Some areas have big steps and the rock is loose but most of it is good trail. Poles help. After the ascent, the trail runs north along the ridgeline. About midway, the views are to the east and west and not panoramic due to the trees along the ridge.

The true summit hosts a metal summit register box that sits on a north-facing granite prow that drops off on three sides. Access is somewhat circuitous. One way is to stay to the right, on the east side, carefully crossing a section of steep rocks. Stay high and drop down to the trail and hike back up through the trees and skirt toward the summit blocks on a down-sloping dirt trail on the west side. Others may choose to go through the trees which is not as easy. The view to the north is crowned by an alarmingly snow-free Glacier Peak. And also, I could see wildfire smoke from the nearby Nason Ridge Fire.

Fall color and bourbon. Right? Yes! One small surprise was meeting up with a couple of young women and their dogs as I departed the summit. We talked about the circuitous route and I noticed one was carrying a full bottle of bourbon in her outside mesh pocket on her pack. Soon we were talking bourbon and she offered me some. I did not decline. She splashed a generous amount into an empty soft flask that I had in my pack. I took a pull once back at the trailhead and split the rest with my wife after dinner on the couch. Chattanooga Whiskey, a Tennessee bourbon made by her cousin. Very good! Another fine day in the mountains.

The big show was to the to the south, featuring the spiky peak of Lichtenberg Mountain and the azure blue Lake Valhalla. Mountain ash and huckleberries providing the dramatic, breathtaking fall color. The descent back to the PCT was spectacular.

I did take a 360 panorama at the southern flank of Mount McCausland, a view that captures the fall color arrayed before a vista with Lichtenberg Mountain and Lake Valhalla. And also, one at Lake Valhalla on a soggy day in 2016. The 360s are hosted at 360cities.net For best viewing click on the ‘Toggle Fullscreen’ icon in the panel in the upper right of the onscreen image. Then scroll to experience the immersive images.

Mount McCausland, Fall Color Vista: https://www.360cities.net/image/mount-mccausland-fall-color-vista-wenatchee-national-forest-wa-state

Lake Valhalla in the Mist: https://www.360cities.net/image/lake-valhalla-and-lichtenberg-mountain-central-cascades-wa-state