Trip Report: Heliotrope Ridge Trail; Mt Baker National Forest, WA

Today we took hiked the Heliotrope Ridge Trail at Mt Baker.  I'm posting this to help future hikers/skiers/climbers plan accordingly because I wish that we had read an accurate trip report before heading out.  Don't get me wrong, we had a nice hike, but a few tips would have helped our planning.

Total trail distance to the ridge was 5.5 miles round trip, total elevation gain of ~1,100 ft.  This was our first trip to Baker and it was beautiful.  We read a trip report from last week and there were people skiing down, so we brought our skis and boots in hopes that we'd be hiking up and skiing down.  We pulled into the parking lot and saw fellow snow-seekers with skis and boots on their packs so followed suit.

Well, instead of skis we should have packed microspikes or even crampons.  The trail was VERY icy and there were a few precarious waterfall/stream crossings.  So fellow hikers, take my advice and come prepared for all conditions, especially ice.  We made it up to the ridge and back safely, but not without a few slips and even a few minor falls.  It started snowing when we were up at the ridge, ~5,000 ft and snowed the whole way down to the parking lot.  Supposedly they got 3 inches total today.

All in all, it was a fun day and I definitely got exercise carrying my skis and boots up...and back down the trail.  If you're hungry on the way out of town, stop at Graham's.  It looks like a typical bar-type place so I assumed it would serve hamburgers and the standard fare, plus we were in a little mountain town so my foodie-hopes weren't high.  I was totally wrong.  I had delicious leek soup with chipotle sauce and grilled polenta cakes and veggies with a balsamic reduction and sauteed spinach.  Will had a lamb burger with goat-cheese and red-pepper relish. YUM!

Vantage Point

noun.

A position that affords a broad overall view or perspective, as of a place or situation.

That's exactly what we had in Vantage, Washington last weekend.  We bought a rope and supplies and took our climbing lessons out for a test to the rocks in Vantage.  The basalt columns were formed in the ice-age and the area climbers dubbed 'Frenchman Coulee' became popular around the '80's.  There are over 400 routes in the basin; a mix of sport and trad.

It was our first trip outdoors without a guide, so the goal was not to get hurt.  We succeeded!  I figured I'd go ahead and let you know so you don't feel anxious throughout this post ;)  We camped in the lot off of Vantage Road, just below the looming walls and spent half of Saturday and Sunday climbing.  Lead climbing is in a totally new ballpark from top-roping and I really enjoyed it.  The toughest route I lead was a 5.9 and it felt awesome.  You could see for miles from the top of the routes and I've already picked out what I want to go back and climb next!

Climbers at 'The Feathers.'

Will preparing to climb.

Me getting ready to lead. Do you notice how my
outfit, shoes, harness, helmet, (and toenail polish) are all
purple?  That's not a coincidence :)

At the top of a route.

Vantage point.

At the camp-sight overseeing shrimp jambalaya.

Bend There, Done That

As in Bend, Oregon (www.visitbend.com). For Will's birthday I planned a fabulous (if I do say so myself) weekend for him doing all the things he loves to do.  We drove down Thursday afternoon and arrived at our hotel just in time for a beer and a cyclocross movie.  I found a really cool hotel for us to stay in during our visit; it was an old Catholic school that was taken over by a PNW hotelier and made into an entertaining complex of sorts.  Each hotel he owns is different and very unique.  Ours had mosaic soaking tubs (Turkish-style), a few bars, local brewery, outdoor fire-pits, and a movie theater. 

http://www.mcmenamins.com/421-old-st-francis-school-home

Friday morning, we ate a delicious breakfast at the Victorian Cafe (http://www.victoriancafebend.com) then headed out to Phil's Trail complex to ride some of Bend's famous mountain bike trails. It was chilly in the morning but warmed up to become a nice, sunny day.  My favorite part was the 'Whoops' trail -- it's a bunch of swervy, bumps and jumps and was  lot of fun to ride. It was slightly snow-covered so a bit tricky to ride in parts.

About to ride the 'Whoops.'

The Three Sisters

After riding, we cleaned up and went out to some local breweries.  Will's favorite was the Boneyard brewery - not sure if it's because of the beer or because they gave him a hat for his birthday :)  We finished off the evening with a great brick-oven pizza dinner at Jackson's Corner, then more brew at McMineman's.

Saturday we headed out to Smith Rock to rock climb.  Our guide, Gabe, taught us how to crack climb, which was awesome.  The rock at Smith is Tuff and Basalt which makes for great climbing.  We started with a drizzly morning, but the sun came out around noon to make for a beautiful day.  An eagle also came out to visit us during our stay.  

Will 'stemming.'

Will at the top of a crack climb.

Will climbing 'Five Gallon Buckets' route.

 

There I go... up the wall.  I found a plastic pumpkin
inside one of the holes filled with Halloween candy.. I
really earned my mini Snickers!

 

Me at the top of a crack climb.

Saturday night we ate dinner at Hola! then went to a brewery or two and sat by the fire.  We relaxed in the soaking tubs at our hotel then went to bed. Sunday we went on a trail run along the Deschutes River then had another delicious brunch at a restaurant called Chow. We finished our stay by watching a Halloween cyclocross race at the Old Mill District.  It was quite entertaining to see cyclists race around a track in costumes...especially the men wearing dresses!  Bend was lovely and had a ton to do -- we really enjoyed our stay and I'm sure you would too!