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Trip Report

Koppen Mountain, DeRoux Peak, Elsnor Mine, Hawkins Mountain & Esmeralda Basin (Esmerelda) — Friday, Jun. 14, 2019

Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
Stuart and Esmeralda Peaks fm DeRoux Peak

DeRoux Spur Trail is in good shape at least up to the saddle.  After reaching the saddle I turned left to follow the trail up to Koppen Mountain.  Only some minor snow remnants, easily passed with no special equipment.  Then after returning to the saddle I continued following the ridge toward DeRoux Peak, which was slightly more difficult than Koppen since I was only able to find faint traces of path here and there.   From DeRoux Peak I continued following the ridge south to meet up with the Elsnor Mine Trail.  The upper portion of this trail was quite faint and I lost it once or twice in the half mile heading down from the saddle.  After intersecting with the Boulder Creek Trail, I followed it NorthEast until shortly after it crosses the creek, then went offtrail hiking up the long south ridge of Hawkins Mountain up to the west summit.  From there headed down to the saddle between the west and east summits and continued down to the meadow where the jeep road begins/ends.  The meadow is a nice peaceful area with creeks running through it.  From here followed the jeep road past Gallagher Head Lake and then took the Esmeralda Basin trail to loop back via the road to the Boulder-DeRoux trailhead.

I think Koppen and DeRoux are both worth a visit for those who have already done Navaho and Earl and looking for something a little different in the area.

The Hawkins south ridge was a pleasure to walk up.  The ground was just soft enough to where shoes could bite in for traction, but not so soft that you slide right back down with each step.  Nice views along the ridge and at the top of course too.

Didn't see anybody until a ways down the jeep road, and saw/heard no ATV's or motorcycles, possibly due to being a weekday.

View NW fm Hawkins Summit
Meadow Below Hawkins
Hawkins fm near DeRoux Peak
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