Nanny goat surveys the headwaters of Bridge Creek fork of the Stehekin River (State Creek). Early Winters Spires, and Liberty Bell rise above, Tower Mountain background left, Early Winters valley right. This entire area is outside congressional protection. Visit Americanalps.org.
This family of mountain goats allowed me to stay on the ridge that connects Wamihaspi Peak (behind, out of view) and Early Winters Spires. Silver Star massif seen in distance right--Early Winters fork Methow River. Congressionally unprotected--visit Americanalps.org
Nanny and I overlook the headwaters of Early Winters Creek--a principal tributary of the Methow River. This area is congressionally unprotected--see Americanalps.org
Highway 20 cuts along the entire length of Early Winters Creek, a principal tributary of the Methow River. South Early Winter Spire left, Silver Star middle, start of Kangaroo Ridge far right. See Americanalps.org
Please, do not enter the tent. If it looks like the tent is leaning--it is. I was able to scratch out a flat spot just wide enough for me, but not the whole tent. Wamihaspi Peak rises above, with a lovely 4 meter cornice. See Americanalps.org
Copper Pass, middle distance, with the Twisp River valley beyond...
Golden Horn batholith (a rock formation that was laid down some 47 million years ago) extends from Golden Horn (far left) all the way to Liberty Bell and Early Winters Spires, and beyond (to the right and behind me). This entire area, including the very headwaters of the Skagit River, the Methow River, the Stehekin River and the Twisp River is outside congressional protection at this time. See Americanalps.org
Sunset on the Methow Mountains--Early Winters valley.
Sunset, crest of the North Cascades June 12, 2010 See Americanalps.org
Kangaroo Ridge (most of it, towers continue S to the Twisp River). Silver Star background left. See Americanalps.org
Too many peaks to name, but Bonanza is in there, and that's Dakobed (Glacier Peak) on the right.
A view from the top. Most people that gaze upon these towers do so from well below, along the highway. Nice to be at eye-level with them...
Kangaroo Ridge soars above the gathering of Early Winters Creek, a principal tributary of the Methow River. The two dark towers on the right end of the ridge are in the Twisp River headwaters. This entire area is outside congressional protection. See Americanalps.org
The North Cascades are so cool! Glad nobody brought their dogs on this day--elsewise I may not have had an opportunity to live with goats for a day!
Stiletto Peak (r)--and the unnamed higher peak form and drain the headwaters of Bridge Creek fork, Stehekin River.
Bonanza is the high peak on the left, Dakobed (Glacier Peak) in distance to the right.
Slightly different lighting: Kangaroo Ridge soars above the gathering of Early Winters Creek, a principal tributary of the Methow River. The two dark towers on the right end of the ridge are in the Twisp River headwaters. This entire area is outside congressional protection. See Americanalps.org
Note the tracks disappear, the result of an avalanche that swept the area...
This image reminds me of the waves at Second Beach, Olympic National Park. This cornice is made of the same stuff as the ocean, and provides summer water for the apples, cherries, fish and people of eastern Washington.
Before--note the lack of avalanches as compared to the next photo in the gallery.
After--note the avalanches not seen in the previous photo in the gallery. Most avalanches happened Friday between 15:00 and 19:00.
Note there are at least five waves of mountains in this telephoto shot. Golden Horn (l), Tower Mountain (one of my favorites!) and the lovely colors of the Golden Horn batholith displayed on Liberty Bell.
Whistler Mountain - Cutthroat Peak massif above State Creek (and Highway 20), a principal tributary of Bridge Creek fork of the Stehekin River. This area falls outside congressional protection, something American Alps Legacy Project hopes to amend.
Yes, the Golden Horn batholith really is this colorful!
Venus setting over Cutthroat Peak.
Golden Horn batholith as seen on the summit tower of Wamihaspi Peak. Lovely greens in that rock too, also seen in the next wall over...
