Tatoosh Traverse 2004
I took this trip, the called Tatoosh Traverse, in the summer of 2004 and should take one full and long day. However, as in most plans in the mountains, sometimes we underestimate the enormity of the trip or things change for a variety of reasons. I ventured out on three successive weekends. The first was an official Mountaineer trip, and the next two I went alone to complete the Traverse. The first attempt began with an unsuccessful try of The Castle. This was extremely hot day with route-finding challenges, and we chose to turn around below Wahpenayo. I tried attempt #2 the following week (no pics) from Longmire, and made it to the summit of Chutla on a very wet and rainy day. On the third try, I was alone once again, and completed the Traverse from Reflection Lakes to Longmire, but omitted the peaks we claimed previously. Unfortunately, another route misdirection at the Chutla-Wahpenayo saddle, put me at the main trail, and well below Eagle and Chutla. Since I was hot, tired and ready to go home -- I did!
 From Paradise, this is what the Tatoosh range looks like - (L-R) The Castle (hidden), Pinnacle, Denman, Lane and Wahpenayo. |
 With an early start on a warm and windless day, you can see why this is called "Reflection Lakes." |
 As we ascend higher along the trail, the fog and mists gradually give way, affording us some spectacular views of Mt. Rainier. |
 The further we climb, the clearer the views of The Mountain. No matter how many times we view 'Her', and from so many perspectives, I never seem to get enough |
 This is at the Pinnacle Saddle, looking south. In the distance, floating on a sea of clouds, is 12,276' Mt. Adams. |
 From the Saddle, we head left (east). Pinnacle Peak is to my left, and The Castle is directly ahead of me. |
 Looking behind me, is Corby and Plummer Peak in the near distance and Mt. St Helens just visible on the left horizon. |
 We didn't have a good route description for The Castle, and tried a route which, at first, looked possible or 'do-able' as a scramble. However, we never found the right combination and wasted about an hour before abandoning the attempt. |
 Taking the higher traverse from The Castle, we now set our sights for Pinnacle. Corby and Phil pause to enjoy the views. |
 This shows all the peaks of the Tatoosh Traverse, looking west from the summit of Pinnacle Peak. In order of the climb: Plummer (left), Denman (below Lane), Lane (right), Wahpenayo (distant left), Chutla (center) and Eagle (distant right). |
 Corby, on the summit of Pinnacle with our day spread out behind him. Note the trail leading from the Saddle to the Plummer Peak |
 Looking back to Pinnacle, The Castle from the trail leading to the summit of Plummer. The higher traverse to Pinnacle is found at the line where the rock turns to scree. |
 The summit of Plummer Peak and the receding mists beyond, revealing the upcoming long traverse beneath the wide wall of Wahpenayo. |
 Our Plummer Peak summit photo. Me, Corby and Phil. |
 The Tatoosh Range is located south of Mt. Rainer. Here we look northward again toward Paradise and see that mists still hover at an elevation of about 5000 feet. |
 Plummer Peak summit with me and Corby. |
 In a low spot between Denman and Plummer is a small tarn where I startled a family of goats. However, I was treated to a wonderful opportunity to photgraph Rainier from a unique perspective. |
 This is our next objective - Denman Peak- with the pointed features of Lane Peak behind. |
 Again, Denman Peak and to our right, is the ever-present view of Rainier. |
 South of Denman, is Cliff Lake, secluded and framed by lush vegetation and the steep slopes of Wahpenayo. |
 From the slopes of Denman, Lane is the next peak in the list., but first we must desend several hundred feet before the steep hike to the base. |
 The perspective changes, making Lane appear to be less formidable when in reality it was the most challenging summit of the peaks. |
 We approach the lower basin below Lane. The weather is hot with no wind at all. Whenever we stop, the bugs come quickly to feast! |
 Corby pauses before venturing higher. Behind him is Wahpenayo. |
 Another view of Cliff Lake and the long traverse under Wahpenayo. The point at which we join the ridge, can be seen as a notch, left of the summit (behind the grass). |