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Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Distance: O miles, we went rock climbing m:-)
Trailhead: ~1284 feet
Highpoint: ~1284 feet
Elevation Gain: 0 feet, but we did go up/down and up/down several times. m:-)
Trail Notes: Be extremely careful on this mountain. There are several memorials for people who have lost their lives climbing and VIEWING while on the mountain. BE CAREFUL.
Pass/Parking: No pass nor permits required that we saw.
As always, click on the pictures for easier viewing.
Photos of this hike are located here.
The invitation was put out by Jim for a different type of outdoor fun. This week several of us (Jim, Wade, Tiffany, Harry, Jordy, and myself) were ferried across the Puget Sound and traveled northward to Anacortes, Washington. Mount Erie, our day's destination, is just two miles south of Anacortes and offers a variety of outdoor activities for those adventurous souls, that include hiking, beautiful panoramic vistas, mountain biking, swimming, and rock climbing.
Mount Erie, standing just shy of 1,300 feet, offers one of the finest panoramas you'll find anywhere. Everything from the flatland farms of Skagit County, to the rugged beauty of the Cascade and Olympic Mountains, to northern Puget Sound, and practically every single one of the 428 to 743 (depending on the tide) San Juan Islands. We were drawn to it's dry, Olympic rain-shadow climate (it receives a little more than half as much rain as Seattle) and dry, easy to grip rock.
The group met early in the morning to catch the Kingston-Edmonds ferry. After watching the creation of a beautiful Northwest day as the ferry crossed Puget Sound, we drove shy of two hours, arriving at the summit, eager to enjoy some rock climbing.
Marina morning MMMMMmmMToday's adventurers MMmmMMSummit preparations
Enroute view of Mount Erie and it's Rock Climbing enticements
A short walk from the parking lot at the summit, we bring our gear and enthusiasm to the practice wall. Here Jim, Tiffany, and Wade share the basics of rock climbing with the necessary safety aspects. We each made an ascent and repel on this easy, 30 foot section to get us warmed up. Not that we needed much effort, as the rising sun brought with it elevated temperatures up into the seventies. The genesis of a beautiful Northwest day was unfolding in front of us and all we had to do was to enjoy it. m:-)
Ok, who's first? MMMMMMmmMWarming up safely MMMmmMLooking South
After an hour of patient and safe practice we moved along the trail coming to our second and more challenging area, Summit Wall. Here we met other families and climbers testing their skills on the >60 foot wall. While we went the safe and secure route by anchoring our rope at the top, one experienced individual lead-climbed another section, setting anchor points as he ascended.
Jim provided more detailed climbing information of the areas we scaled, that goes like this.
1. An obvious slab climb to the east of Black Jack on the Summit Wall. There are no bolted anchors. Top rope with tree as anchor. Difficulty rating 5.5, Quality rating two stars.
2. Apex Route, left variation. This is a short chimney pitch with easy climbing to the crux move at the top of the chimney. Sixty feet. Two bolts at the top. Difficulty rating 5.7, Quality rating two stars. Top Rope or traditional. Thanks Jim.
Fly on the wall MMMMExperienced Supervision
As the sun warmed the rock face, so did the challenges our climbers faced increase . Each member that struggled their way to the top returned with plenty of perspiration from the exertion. Using nubbly toe-holds and the smallest of crags to grip, each climber inched their way to the top, overcoming difficult positions and natural impediments. Psychologically challenging and physically demanding, everyone returned with a big smile of satisfaction at overcoming the obstacles.
He must be compensating :-)MMBeauty close at hand MM The young one
Before the sun had crossed most of the Puget Sound, we ended our climbing and explored some more of Mount Erie. Enjoying the wonderful views, mingling with other people making the most of the day, and checking out others areas to climb, we made our notes for the return trip.
All safely accounted for and satisfied with the outing, we began our return trip. Absorbing the remainder of the beautiful day with another mellow ferry ride. A great and safe time was had by all.
Departing glance MMMMMM Sharing memories M mMMM Finishing the day
The route we travelled and surrounding area MMMMMMMProfile with lots of road
Video:
Directions:
From I-5, take exit 230, and follow the signs west along Highway 20 towards Anacortes/Whidbey Island. Be sure to stay on Hwy 20, and veer left, avoiding the "hwy 20 spur" which leads to Anacortes downtown. At 1.7 miles after a left turn at the stop light where you avoided the spur highway, you'll take a right onto Campbell Lake Road. At 1.6 more miles, trend right at the Lake Erie Grocery, onto Heart Lake Road. Parking for lower mountain is in a gravel pullout on the right hand side after .2 more miles. If you want to drive to the top parking, continue .1 miles further, and turn right up Ray Auld Memorial drive to the summit ~GPS N48 27.249 W122 37.518).
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