For my planned MON 30-Sep-2024 early morning hike of "Cowap Peak, and Excelsior Peak", on
SUN 29 Sep 2024 night, i Car-camped at "Mt Baker RV Park & Campground", Glacier WA {btw, the Camp-host Charlie was very helpful, and friendly. Also, the Bathroom/Toilet was very clean 👍👍👍}
~06:00 (temperature was ~40s_F), after i "break-camp"; i drove ~1 hr on the ~15 miles of (Canyon Creek Road and FS 31) to the Damfino Lakes Trailhead parking. Recentl reports of the aforementioned roads - varies from"Road suitable for all vehicles, "Rough but passable", .. to which may i add the "qualifier" - drive cautiously, and always stay alert .. Please note (btw, i am vaguely recalling) : ~20_ft after passing ~Mile_5 <from 542>, there's an ~3 ft of "drop" (or "dip") that crosses Jim Creek. {At ~15:15 when i was on my way out to 542, at "this" (FS-31) crossing, i saw a Towing Truck working/attempting to recover a red-color Van (or SUV); which was partially on the road, and partially "over-hanging" the slope/drop to Jim Creek) 😱
i am "posting" 2 separate Trip-Reports for my "Cowap Peak, and Excelsior Peak" hike. And "below" is the Trip-Report for my hike to "Cowap Peak".
~07:15, i was the 3rd to arrive at the Damfino Lakes Trailhead parking. Saw no one around. It was cold 30s_F and while i spent the next ~45 minutes Layering-up, and having my breakfast, a total of 3 vehicles arrived, and the people and 1 dog went Out/Up.
~08:05, i went Out/Up towards Cowap Peak. And at ~0.5 mile before reaching Cowap Peak, i encountered a (family) of 3 and their German Shepard coming Back/Down. ~10:00 arrived at Cowap Peak vista where's there were very nice mountain views. i went further along .. Upon seeing the "airy spot".
i spent a few minutes very carefully evaluating and "studying" the "ground" (the rocks; it stability, its grippiness, handholds, footholds, etc) before deciding to cross it .. albeit, very slowly, cautiously, and safely.. and a few times, on my all-fours, i made my crossing to/fro the "high point" / "end-point" 😅
Btw, crossing the "airy spot" didn't buy me any additional "special" views (that could be easily had from Cowap Peak vista. On-hindsight, (for me) it certainly wasn't worth the (very high) "exposure" risks of the "airy spot" crossing to/fro the "high point" / "end-point",
And my way Back/Down (until the Canyon Ridge Trail & Damfino Lakes Trail junction), encountered a total of 7 people (from 2 parties).
Everyone's courteous and friendly.
Below is the LINK to my Album Cowap Peak - enjoy 😊
Happy Trails and Be Safe 😄
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