We first met in Longview then convoyed to the trailhead. The crux of the whole day was likely Hwy 532's rutted & potholed sections up to and over the hump. We saw many campers on the south side of the road, enjoying nature just outside K-country. At the trailhead in the valley between Plateau Mountain to the west and Hailstone Butte to the east, we hopped on our bikes and rode 5 km north on excellent gravel road. The overflowing creek sometimes crossed over the road and we encountered patches of snow the higher we got. We left our bikes at a locked gate and followed the road NE up the valley between Hailstone Butte now to our south and Iron Creek Mountain to our north. At the road's high point we angled up left towards the rocky south ridge and followed it north as it gently brought us to the summit of Iron Creek Mountain.
Jenny and Cathy coming up Iron Creek Mountain with Hailstone Butte in background
Inge finds rock at north end of ridge
Summit of Iron Creek Mountain
We enjoyed lunch and views here, with abundant sunshine and a light SE wind, then continued our ridgewalk north.
North end of ridge with col and Sentinel Peak in the distance
We dropped down to the col then up to Sentinel Peak, the day's high point.
Sentinel Peak summit looking SW with Plateau Mountain behind
The main views were Mount Burke to the north, foothills to the east, Hailstone Butte to the south, and omnipresent Plateau Mountain to the west. 2 light & fast trail-runners soon joined us at the summit then ran back down before we had finished our second lunch break. Our original plan was to return via Sentinel Pass, but there seemed to be enough snow in the shady treed areas below that we elected to go back southward, below the ridgeline we had followed up. The gradual descent was efficient and we were soon in the valley, after crossing a snow patch.
Valley below Sentinel Peak
We followed the valley trail wherever possible, sometimes leaving it to avoid snow, and 3 km later we were back at our bikes. Other than 1 hill and 2 minor bumps to go up, the bike ride back down was quick and fun. We were back at the cars by 4:30 pm, making it roughly a 6 hour trek, with 750 m total elevation, in 20 km.
This is a great trip to do on weekends when other more popular venues are packed with cars and people. We saw 4 people all day, 2 sets of trail runners.
It was wonderful to share the day with the following bike'n hike participants who made it so pleasant: Inge,Cathy,Gordon, and Jenny.
Brian, Coordinator