Here are some pictures and video I took when Mike and I went up Mt. Dickerman... We were training for some Mt. Olympus activities planned for the week prior to Thanksgiving. Originally, we were planning to go to Copper Ridge for a Friday through Sunday trip with Alex. But Alex was unable to get free on Friday, so Mike scripted Mt. Dickerman for Friday, and then meeting Alex and Olaf to go up to Gothic Basin for Saturday and Sunday.
The trail is basically a march up from the Mountain Loop Highway near Verlot. About three quarters of the way to the summit, the views start to reveal themselves, causing you to pick up the pace. We carried large loads for some training value, and stopped at a snow-covered meadow to grab a bite, and then made the top about 45 minutes later. We hit the trail at noon, and arrived at the very top a little after 3:00. Click this link to view a 3D rendering of the trail on a topographic map.
Our plan was to view the sunset, and then headlamp back down to the car, camp somewhere nearby and then meet Alex and Olaf the next morning. But the sunset show was over by 5:15, and we got back to the car by 7:00. So instead, we went back to Seattle for pizza and beer, and had Alex pick us up the next morning!
| Glacier Peak... - The sky was pretty clear to the north, and only had high clouds to the south. At the top, you are immediately presented Glacier Peak in all her majesty. Being in the interior of the North Cascades, the majority of this mountain is hidden from most of those that would like to see her. I took this as the alpine-glow formed as the sun sank in the west. I think we found the perfect perch from which to view. I also took some video (1.4 meg)... |
|
||||||||||
| Mt. Baker... - While easily viewed, Mt. Baker is still fair distance away. But as the sun set, the mountain broke out in some dramatic colors. I stole this shot from Mike's web site. I also took some video (1.6 meg)... |
|
||||||||||
| Sloan Peak... - This peak dramatically rises into view dominating a piece of the sky. I also took this during the alpine-glow... Mike stands in the forefront in this portrait shot. I also took some video (1.7 meg) of Sloan and Monte Cristo... |
|
||||||||||
| Monte Cristo and more... - I took this shot of this cluster of peaks that include Monte Cristo, Cadet, Foggy and Columbia. |
|
||||||||||
| Big Four Mountain... - This peak provides the stunning view across the Mountain Loop Highway... |
|
||||||||||
| Three Fingers... - This ridge forms a wall between the lowlands of Puget Sound, and the Cascades. I also took some video (1.3 meg)... |
|
||||||||||
| Miscellaneous sunset shots... - I took the shot to the right just as the sun seemed to hang on the edge of the Olympic mountains. Other shots, both of the horizon, and backlit clouds over the Cascades are linked below: |
|
||||||||||
More
Videos... - I also took
more video scenes both before and as the sun set:
|
