Weekend Outing in the Backcountry

[PacificNWhunter]

Took my wife out for her first back country backpacking trip this weekend. I think overall it went pretty well, we ran into allot more snow then we were anticipating but made due. Most of our trip consisted in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, also included a couple pic's from a day hike on the way home. The building you see in one of the photo's is an old DNR fire lookout. Hope you enjoy!

[PacificNWhunter]

Here are a few more...

[jackelope]

beautiful photo's...looks like a great way to spend the weekend.

is that the mt. pilchuck lookout?

[Michelle_Nelson]

An old fire lookout?  Do they still use it?  Looks like it might be in operation.  Otherwise they would have the windows covered and locked to keep people out.

My first job was working one of those towers on Bland Mtn for the DFPA in SW Oregon neer Canyonville.  I lived up in the tower for 10 days at a time with 4 days off in between.  Their was a cot in the tower, No electricity, stove and a tiny frige run off propane.  I think I was 18 at the time.

Saw deer all the time, saw a huge Blacktail buck 2 x.  First time, it wasn't hunting season.  Second time was 2nd weekend of the season.  He walked the same ridge both times I saw him.  Probably 350 - 400 yards away from the tower.  When I first saw him all I saw was antler.  I knew he was atleast a 4pt befor I even put the bino's on him.  

Boneaddict he looked like he was packing the sheds I bought from you except he had a lot more mass.

Any way, I tried to put a sneek on him, but when I got to the point I though he would show he never did.  At that point it was getting dark and I had to get back to the tower to chick in.  Never saw that buck again.  I'm thinking his normal time walking through was after dark and I was lucky to have seen him the 2x I did

[PacificNWhunter]

Yeah sorry for the 'old' comment, the lookout is all locked up and says no tresspassing. I think they may still use it occasionally, did not look like it had been used in a long time. I would not doubt you would see some awesome critters from that kind of perch though. This particular one over looked a couple nice deep draws and a huge open alpine meadow full of blueberry bushes. And it's the lookout ontop of Granite Mountain.

[Michelle_Nelson]

  Sorry, didn't mean to jack your thread with the story. 

They must not think their is big threat in that area any more if they don't use it.  Wonder if they watch that area from a new tower.

[Jackjr]

looks like a good time

[Head-shot]

Looks like you did run into quite a bit of snow. Hard to believe there is still that much up there with as hot as its been. Great pics, thanks for posting them.

[archery288]

Looks like a great trip!  Hopefully all that snow will be gone here within the next few weeks...

[HawkenBob]

Looks like the Granite Mtn lookout? Awesome hike for a good workout. Been up there many times.

[PacificNWhunter]

Your spot on hawkenbob, after I was done up there I dropped down and went over to Pratt lake, down to lake palapys and then back to the truck. Good little day hike/tune up!

[Skinner]

Looks like a good time can't wait to get up in the Mts.!