Cascade Mountain
Date of hike: 8/22/2009
Vertical Ascent: 1940’
Length of Hike (miles): 4.8
Total Time: 6:00
Hiked with: Samantha, Alex, Wendy, Amanda, and Bria
We did this one as a part of our annual camping/hiking weekend with another family. I’ve been eager to do this hike with my kids (ages 10-13), since it’s considered the easiest of the High Peaks, and they were eager to give it a try. My wife Kim and our friend Russell stayed back at camp, while Wendy and I took the kids on the hike. We drove to the mountain on what was already a very humid day, and we got to the trailhead at 10:40 a.m. From the lot, the trail descends a few dozen feet, before crossing a stream to head up.
The ascent was pretty easy, with mostly a steady climb that wasn’t too steep. The overcast skies and very humid air made it tough, though. Bria (age 10) had a rough time at first but got a second wind about halfway up, and then took the lead. Samantha was an awesome trooper. She was completely exhausted by about a quarter of the way up, but continued to push through it, and stayed with it the whole time. We all kept entertained by playing a “random fact” game along the way. We took a nice break at a great lookout at 1.8 miles, then continued. It was exciting to break 4000’ with the kids for their first time, and watch the trees change over to dwarf spruce and fir. We naturally fell into three different groups. Sam and I were in the back and had a great glimpse of Alex and Amanda (age 12) in the lead, climbing up the bare rock, as we neared the summit. It was great climbing with Sami and watching her get excited as we got to the bare top and saw how the trails are marked with paint on the rocks and cairns at the high altitude.
Alex and Amanda up ahead of the pack, nearing the top
Sami at a rock cairn, just shy of the summit
As we crested a false summit, we could see mobs of people atop the true summit of this very popular mountain. Alex and Amanda summited first, and we came up shortly thereafter (at 1:40 p.m.), all very excited to have made the climb and see these views. It took us 3 hours, since we moved at a very slow pace, but I was very proud of our whole group, as all six made it up. (I wasn’t sure that was going to happen.) I was psyched to have brought the five others to the top their first High Peak. Although our view was hazy, it was still fairly decent, and very rewarding for all. We stayed at the top for about an hour, had lunch, enjoyed the magnificent 360° vista, relaxed, and spoke with the summit stewards, then began our descent at about 2:40 p.m., noticing that some clouds were coming in.
The camping crew at the summit of Cascade
Alpine vegetation to the right, marked off as protected from the trail
I was shocked that as we descended, and stopped at the junction with trail to Porter, all of us hedged about whether we should try Porter. The hike couldn’t have been too bad for everyone! We ended up deciding to savor our victory, and not ruin it by overdoing the hike with the kids. However, the fact that everyone considered it an option, was very encouraging. The return trip took 2 hours, with a very tired, but satisfied group. Wendy just may have even gotten 46er fever, since she was eager for more...