Mount Baldy Hike

Zoe and Martin hiked up the steepness of Mount Baldy without Gavin, who was sick with food poisoning of some sort, and Kathryn
img_1969 Here's how Gavin spent his day instead of hiking.
Here's how Gavin spent his day instead of hiking.
img_1971 Crossing Silver Creek a couple hundred feet from the trailhead. This was the only water available on the route. The waterfall on the left appears to be an old...
Crossing Silver Creek a couple hundred feet from the trailhead. This was the only water available on the route. The waterfall on the left appears to be an old…
img_1972 Commence the uphill switchbacks. Thankfully there was plenty of shade since it was a little warm down low.
Commence the uphill switchbacks. Thankfully there was plenty of shade since it was a little warm down low.
img_1974 One of only 3 decision points on the hike. We chose the bottom one which led to blueberries and a very steep trail of loose dirt.
One of only 3 decision points on the hike. We chose the bottom one which led to blueberries and a very steep trail of loose dirt.
img_1975 We're going there! Actually, no, we're not. That's way too far away. It's Thorp Mountain, with its lookout, which is reachable from the trailhead we started at...
We're going there! Actually, no, we're not. That's way too far away. It's Thorp Mountain, with its lookout, which is reachable from the trailhead we started…
img_1976 The south end of Kachess Lake.
The south end of Kachess Lake.
img_1978 Blueberry snack time. The lightly traveled trail had so many berries.
Blueberry snack time. The lightly traveled trail had so many berries.
img_1982 Once the blueberries ended it was time to crank up the steepness and make an almost vertical shot to the ridge.
Once the blueberries ended it was time to crank up the steepness and make an almost vertical shot to the ridge.
img_1983 Peekaboo I see you Mt. Rainier. It's funny how she just pops up while hiking.
Peekaboo I see you Mt. Rainier. It's funny how she just pops up while hiking.
img_1984 Lake Easton to the left and Kachess Lake to the right with I-90 somewhere in there.
Lake Easton to the left and Kachess Lake to the right with I-90 somewhere in there.
img_1986 Scragglemonster stump.
Scragglemonster stump.
img_1987 Up, up, up we go.
Up, up, up we go.
img_1988 It's a bit hard to see, but the trail ahead is one of the steeper sections. Zoe's facial expression is "What?!? Really?".
It's a bit hard to see, but the trail ahead is one of the steeper sections. Zoe's facial expression is "What?!? Really?".
img_1989 Once on the final spine that leads to the ridge the forest opened up and we had some nice views.
Once on the final spine that leads to the ridge the forest opened up and we had some nice views.
img_1991 Ridgetop, not at the summit yet, snack break looking towards Mt. Stuart and friends.
Ridgetop, not at the summit yet, snack break looking towards Mt. Stuart and friends.
img_1993 Once atop the ridge we had an expansive view of Cle Elum Lake.
Once atop the ridge we had an expansive view of Cle Elum Lake.
img_1995 There were a few of these mysterious areas of almost bare rock. Looks like it'd be a fun skiing/avalanche area in winter.
There were a few of these mysterious areas of almost bare rock. Looks like it'd be a fun skiing/avalanche area in winter.
img_1996 A much fuller view of Mt. Rainier. We were also able to see Mt. Adams' summit. There wasn't a cloud in the sky all day and visibility was great since it'd...
A much fuller view of Mt. Rainier. We were also able to see Mt. Adams' summit. There wasn't a cloud in the sky all day and visibility was great since it'd…
img_1998 Way out in the distance to the east we were even able to spot the gigantic windmills.
Way out in the distance to the east we were even able to spot the gigantic windmills.
img_2000 Mt. Baldy's summit! A very breezy spot as you can see from the poor little tree to the left of Zoe.
Mt. Baldy's summit! A very breezy spot as you can see from the poor little tree to the left of Zoe.