Mount Thielsen

Mt Thielsen ahead

After a couple of days hiking to water falls today was The Day.  From the first day of our arrival to Diamond Lake we noticed Mount Thielsen.  We found out that it was an extinct volcano and that there existed a trail all the way up to the peak.  One of the summer interns told us that 'the adventurous can hike all the way to the peak'.  He added that a rope would be helpful for the last 200 yards or so...that's when he lost Cindi.  'No way' was her reply to going to the top. 

A little rub here

We headed out a bit later than planned, but hit the mountain at 9:30 AM.  At the 2 mile mark we were feeling pretty good.  Our time wasn't too shabby considering the elevation.  Cooper was doing his part carrying most of the water.  Since he was such a good sport we let him cool off in the first batch of snow we found on the trail.  He loved it a bit too much.

A bit more there

One more spot needs dirt

Devastation

On we went hiking through sections of forest that had been devastated by something...at the time we had no idea what had knocked almost all of the trees down.  One side of the mountain had been hit hard...later we found out that a huge summer storm had hit the area.  It looked like Richmond after Hurricane Irene a few years ago.   Once past the downed trees we once again entered the forest of large trees. 

It's getting closer

Where did he go?

The trail continued up and started getting more difficult as we headed toward the tree line.  Cindi and Cooper stopped just before reaching it.  The trail was getting more difficult...rocky and footing was getting somewhat 'slippery'.  I continued on towards the top.  While I headed up Cindi and Cooper entertained themselves best they could:

Yellow snow

Flies

Naptime

Bill's between the 2 top bushes

Crazy shoeless people

At one point a father and son stopped to ask Cindi for a band-aid...the son was wearing crocs and had a blister.  Bad news on this hike.  Later I noticed this kid walking in only his socks...all of us were wondering what was up with him.  On our trip down the duo passed by us at the end of the trail...both in their bare feet!  We wonder sometimes about people.

Only 200 feet away

I tried really hard to get all the way to the peak.  The last 200 feet was just not possible without a rope.  People claimed that you could climb hand over hand up the face of the peak, but I was unwilling to risk it.  The scree was like boarding on snow...heading down was a lot of sliding and reaching for the ground to try and maintain some balance.   The views were spectacular, but 24 hours later my knees were not quite sure it was worth it.

 

Views

More views

Trail down

Not alone

Diamond Lake and Mt Bailey

Three Sisters

                       





As it turns out this hike was the longest we've ever done...Cindi and Cooper managed 8.5 miles at a elevation of 8400 feet.  My hike was a mile or so longer and over 9000 feet.



*click pictures to enlarge