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| Mountaineers Les and Jolene Lovett have climbed the majority of high peaks in the Eastern North Cascades. This Fall, we decided to get off the beaten climbers path a bit and climb one of the lesser known peaks of the region. Named Goldenhorn for its Matterhorn like appearance, the peak is actually quite gentle until the final summit spire. |
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The hike in began at Rainy pass on the Pacific Crest trail. The trail took us through Porcupine basin and up to Cuttroat pass.
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| Continuing north for about 5 more miles, we took a spur trail up to the spectacular Snowy Lakes. Here, Les and Jolene hike past the lower lake. Note the sunny skies and minimal clothing. |
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| Our camp was just above the upper lake near the base of the moderate slopes that led to Goldenhorn's summit. The summit is just out of view in this photo and is quite foreshortened by this angle. |
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| We arose early the nest day and were treated to a spectacular sunrise. Skies were clear as far as we could see, though valley fog was prevalent throughout the range. |
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| Les works his way along the scenic ridge with the sun just peeking over the horizon. |
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| Looking back toward our camp from high on Goldenhorn. Snowy lakes provides one of the most spectacular campsites in this area. |
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| After climbing quite high on talus and scree, we got our first view of the true summit pinnacle. Our route climbed this spire from the left with several hundred feet of class 3-4, capped off with a 5.7 mantle. |
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| The view to the North was breathtaking with Mt Baker visible on the far left, then Shuksan, the Southern and Northern Picketts moving to the right. |
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| Here, Les and Jolene enjoy a brief pause on the tiny summit pyramid. Mt Hardy is the summit directly behind them. |
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As we descended back to camp, we watched the clouds roll in from the West, blanketing everything along the way.
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The hike out proved to be much different than the hike in with shells, gloves and hats on against the cold and rain. In all it proved to be a wonderful Fall outing with the weather moving in just as we were heading out.
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