View from the top of the 3 sisters: Faith, Hope and Love. We had some camera troubles (story of my life it seems) so this is the only one you can click on to enlarge, the others had to be messed with to get them to look almost right. 
I am giving you the view first, which is not how it really works ya know. This is from the top of Davis Peak, the mountain we look across at when we are staying at Vertical Ranch. The lake is Opal Lake (which we can't see at all from VR) and this is looking towards the West. I love the needle sharp peak way in the back- and there is a sharks back peak in the distance that is harder to see.
This is looking back on the trail where we came up. Yikes!
This is from the top, looking through a tree that shared the 360 degree view with us.
I was fascinated by this mountain with the rainbow hills. This is also looking west.
Looking south is Mt. Rainier!
This is a view of Waptus lake in the distance (has all kinds of fishing!) and Opal Lake is deep, inaccessible to the general public and a beautiful deep blue green.
This is the picture of me climbing up to the top of the top of the top of the peak!
Feeling pretty happy to be there. It is a very small space but there were no crowds to elbow through anyway.
Gentry looking out at the all around us view! Summit accomplished!
I am giving you the view first, which is not how it really works ya know. This is from the top of Davis Peak, the mountain we look across at when we are staying at Vertical Ranch. The lake is Opal Lake (which we can't see at all from VR) and this is looking towards the West. I love the needle sharp peak way in the back- and there is a sharks back peak in the distance that is harder to see.
This is looking back on the trail where we came up. Yikes!
This is from the top, looking through a tree that shared the 360 degree view with us.
I was fascinated by this mountain with the rainbow hills. This is also looking west.
Looking south is Mt. Rainier!
This is a view of Waptus lake in the distance (has all kinds of fishing!) and Opal Lake is deep, inaccessible to the general public and a beautiful deep blue green.
This is the picture of me climbing up to the top of the top of the top of the peak!
Feeling pretty happy to be there. It is a very small space but there were no crowds to elbow through anyway.
Gentry looking out at the all around us view! Summit accomplished!
This is the trail going from the lookout up to the peak. We can see the lookout but not this grassy meadow. It all looks 
rocky from our side.
The camera was a failure but this does commemorate the successful hike up for our Anniversary.
I found a small piece of charcoal and wrote this at the lookout point which is a circle of stacked rocks. We think it was once a fire lookout.
Gentry checking the elevation in comparison to other mountains around us.
This is at the dip below Davis peak- who knew there is a little Surprise lake up there?
This picture gives you a little idea of the scale of things up there. We are no more than a tiny speck in the whole scheme of things.
This is a westward looking view from the lookout. It is about 1/2 mile from the lookout to the true summit.
A post at the lookout that had some boards nailed to it and some guy wires hanging from it. A post for an antenna maybe?
We can see this funky tree from our camp through the binoculars. It is a real character. I bet it has some stories
to tell.
Looking SE is Lake Cle Elum and the Cle Elum valley. Not so visible in the photograph is Mt. Adams (right above and slightly left of my head)
This 5 mile marker was a welcome sight. Have I mentioned that it is an 11 mile round trip, with 5 1/2 miles going up, up, and up. Switch backs, and resting spots the only relief. There was only one small dip of a saddle back and that was all.
Coming up we came across areas that were burned in the Pollalie/ Davis Peak fire of 2006. Looking downhill at this point all the trees were dark- black, but looking up hill all the bark was......
white! That was one of many indescribable sights.
The root balls apparently burn and leave big holes in the ground, and then of course the tree falls over.
It was almost spooky walking through this forest of burned trees. The sky was so blue, and grass was growing and it would have been a great place to spot wildlife but they were making themselves scarce that day.
An avalanche chute? Rocky dip in the hillside. It was interesting scenery. Something new and different around every bend.
Closer to the bottom now, and look at the size of some of the trees that were burned. Some had to be about 500 years old or so.
That's me in there between the cut log. The scale is hard to understand with a camera, but that slope is very real. The elevation gain was 3900 feet in 5 1/2 miles. Those trees weren't the only thing burning!
Mile marker number 3. It was a very long ways until marker number 5.
This gives you an idea of the grade we were trying to overcome. Some of the thoughts we shared were-
rocky from our side.
The camera was a failure but this does commemorate the successful hike up for our Anniversary.
I found a small piece of charcoal and wrote this at the lookout point which is a circle of stacked rocks. We think it was once a fire lookout.
Gentry checking the elevation in comparison to other mountains around us.
This is at the dip below Davis peak- who knew there is a little Surprise lake up there?
This picture gives you a little idea of the scale of things up there. We are no more than a tiny speck in the whole scheme of things.
This is a westward looking view from the lookout. It is about 1/2 mile from the lookout to the true summit.
A post at the lookout that had some boards nailed to it and some guy wires hanging from it. A post for an antenna maybe?
We can see this funky tree from our camp through the binoculars. It is a real character. I bet it has some stories
to tell.Looking SE is Lake Cle Elum and the Cle Elum valley. Not so visible in the photograph is Mt. Adams (right above and slightly left of my head)
This 5 mile marker was a welcome sight. Have I mentioned that it is an 11 mile round trip, with 5 1/2 miles going up, up, and up. Switch backs, and resting spots the only relief. There was only one small dip of a saddle back and that was all.
Coming up we came across areas that were burned in the Pollalie/ Davis Peak fire of 2006. Looking downhill at this point all the trees were dark- black, but looking up hill all the bark was......
white! That was one of many indescribable sights.
The root balls apparently burn and leave big holes in the ground, and then of course the tree falls over.
It was almost spooky walking through this forest of burned trees. The sky was so blue, and grass was growing and it would have been a great place to spot wildlife but they were making themselves scarce that day.
An avalanche chute? Rocky dip in the hillside. It was interesting scenery. Something new and different around every bend.
Closer to the bottom now, and look at the size of some of the trees that were burned. Some had to be about 500 years old or so.
That's me in there between the cut log. The scale is hard to understand with a camera, but that slope is very real. The elevation gain was 3900 feet in 5 1/2 miles. Those trees weren't the only thing burning!
Mile marker number 3. It was a very long ways until marker number 5.
This gives you an idea of the grade we were trying to overcome. Some of the thoughts we shared were-
It was worth every step, it was an unforgettable experience, it exceeded our expectations in every way, and after working so hard to get up to the top, and after seeing the rewards, it was very very hard to leave. It was a fantastic way to spend a day together and we were surprised that we never saw another soul. We knew we needed to get going since we didn't know how long it would take us to get back down and as it turned out we could have stayed there a bit longer. We only took 7 hours while our guide book had led us to think it would take 8 or more. I want to go again, anyone else want to come?
6 comments:
Fantastic scenery. I'd love to make the trip but don't know if my 'ol ticker could handle it! I see Gent is making good use of Dad's old hat...he'd love that. What a unique way to celebrate your 20th...but quite memorable and worthwhile, even romantic with the charcoal message. Thanks for sharing the memory with us.
Dad Burgess
Reminds me of my youth. There are many mountains in the Sawtooth Range that have my footprints on them. Always felt such a great sense of accomplishment after the experience, and had such a good night's sleep. It clear the mind and inspires the soul! Thanks for the reminder!
Mom/MIL
Wow!! Sign us up for the next hike! (As soon as we get babysitters for the day). Honestly! It would be awesome. I am so glad you shared so many photos! It looks like you had a beautiful day with the sunshine (though not much shade to keep you cool). Happy 20th anniversary!! Dayla
Happy Anniversary! I do remember that day 20 years ago...hard to believe it has been that long. I admire you for making that trip up the mountain 5 miles. The pictures were awe-inspiring and probably the closest I'll ever get to seeing the beautiful scenery, so thanks for sharing them! Karen W.
We would love to visit sometime. I would want to stay up there and paint for days though!!!!
Awesome you guys!!! Happy Anniversary and glad you got to climb a peak ;) Very Impressive! Great pictures!
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