Mt McDonald Climb - April 18th, 2024

Jerry Martin and I hit the trailhead at 8:30am, and were back at the car at 4pm, which meant we did the climb in 7-1/2 hours! I am thrilled about that, because 5 years ago, the only other time I did the climb, it took me 9 hours :). It was still a long slog. But I'm not sore the next day, much. After I did Mt Si two weeks ago, I could barely move the next day, so the comparison is amazing :). Conditioning works :). 

The last time I was at the top of Mt McDonald, I had an amazing/scary encounter with a mountain goat, which you can see here:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DS43tyJxeT0

This time, while we saw no evidence of the mountain goat, I still couldn't keep from glancing over my shoulder all the time we were at the top, to be sure it didn't sneak up on us :). Below are some great photos of our trip. Clicking on one will bring up a slideshow :).

Jerry and Tanner

 

Stats for our trip

Map of our trip

 

Gravel Pit visible on way up

 

View of cloudy Mt Rainer from a knoll on a cliff

Jerry and Tanner sitting on the cliff-side knoll

 

An interesting relic on way down. Cement, looks very heavy.
Sort of like a lawn roller, but maybe for the roads.

Jerry and Tanner

One of several DNR gates we passed on the way up.

Snow, yes we hit snow. Tanner liked to snack on the snow.

Another DNR Gate

Jerry at the top by the tower,
looking out over a vertical cliff at the distant scenery.

Here is the 100' tower on top.
You can see this tower from Water Gardens,
it looks like a needle on top of Mt McDonald.

A view out from the tower, with cliff below.

Jerry and Tanner on way down,
Tanner requesting a cookie from Jerry.

Half way up, looking at the next half :).

Jerry and Tanner during one of our breaks on way up.

View of distant Mt Baker from the half-way point.