Mount Teneriffe Hike

A grown-up only hike up to the currently very dry Teneriffe Falls and then up the oh-so-steep Kamikaze trail to the summit of Mt Teneriffe.
img_2020 The trail couldn't start out any mellower than this. It's a flat, wide converted logging road. Boring for hiking, but a good way to warm up.
The trail couldn't start out any mellower than this. It's a flat, wide converted logging road. Boring for hiking, but a good way to warm up.
img_2022 The trail changes once onto the trail to Teneriffe Falls. It crosses several rocky areas as the switchbacks carry us upwards to the falls.
The trail changes once onto the trail to Teneriffe Falls. It crosses several rocky areas as the switchbacks carry us upwards to the falls.
img_2024 Peek-a-boo view down the Middle Fork valley. The low cloud ceiling kept things cool.
Peek-a-boo view down the Middle Fork valley. The low cloud ceiling kept things cool.
img_2031 Teneriffe Falls! Well...it would be in spring when snow is melting further up. For now it's only the slightest trickle coming down.
Teneriffe Falls! Well...it would be in spring when snow is melting further up. For now it's only the slightest trickle coming down.
img_2032 Looking up at the falls while modeling Kathryn's homemade COVID-19 mask.
Looking up at the falls while modeling Kathryn's homemade COVID-19 mask.
img_2033 In wetter times this would be the lunch spot for those whose destination is the falls, but that's not us. We've still got almost 3,000' to climb.
In wetter times this would be the lunch spot for those whose destination is the falls, but that's not us. We've still got almost 3,000' to climb.
img_2036 Backtracking a bit from the falls brings us to the Kamikaze trail which makes its way steeply and relentlessly along the ridge to the summit.
Backtracking a bit from the falls brings us to the Kamikaze trail which makes its way steeply and relentlessly along the ridge to the summit.
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img_2040 The trail itself is in surprisingly good condition considering it's an informal unmaintained trail.
The trail itself is in surprisingly good condition considering it's an informal unmaintained trail.
img_2041 Tippy top of Mailbox Peak, across the Middle Fork valley, trying to battle out of the clouds.
Tippy top of Mailbox Peak, across the Middle Fork valley, trying to battle out of the clouds.
img_2044 Here's a mellow section of the Kamikaze trail. Nice soft ground for hiking.
Here's a mellow section of the Kamikaze trail. Nice soft ground for hiking.
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img_2047 Kathryn's expression of disbelief how long the climb continues. She's had many opportunities this summer to make this face since we've been selecting steeper...
Kathryn's expression of disbelief how long the climb continues. She's had many opportunities this summer to make this face since we've been selecting steeper…
img_2048 Rattlesnake Lake and Ledge visible in the distance. I-90, which we could unfortunately hear for most of the hike, cuts through the middle of the picture.
Rattlesnake Lake and Ledge visible in the distance. I-90, which we could unfortunately hear for most of the hike, cuts through the middle of the picture.
img_2051 Selfie time. Well...really more of an excuse to rest for a bit since we've still got a bunch of climbing to do.
Selfie time. Well...really more of an excuse to rest for a bit since we've still got a bunch of climbing to do.
img_2052 Finally out of the forest as we entered a brushy section. Thankfully it was dry or we'd have taken a shower through here.
Finally out of the forest as we entered a brushy section. Thankfully it was dry or we'd have taken a shower through here.
img_2053 A rocky challenge for Zilly approaches.
A rocky challenge for Zilly approaches.
img_2054 Uh oh...we've climbed up into the bottom of the cloud layer. Not looking good for the summit which is still another few hundred feet up.
Uh oh...we've climbed up into the bottom of the cloud layer. Not looking good for the summit which is still another few hundred feet up.
img_2056 Martin contemplates the view while Zilly contemplates Martin. Can you see the thought bubble above him that says "Are we at the top yet?"
Martin contemplates the view while Zilly contemplates Martin. Can you see the thought bubble above him that says "Are we at the top yet?"