In the way back times, I climbed up Putrid and over to Web with Scott and Rich. I had to descend the Putrid trail to get home quicker while they traversed to Defiance. Since then (16 years!!!!) this has been on my mind. I've been up Putrid many times since, but it was never the right time. With a paucity of snow this year, it looked right.
Tink and I started early and pushed hard up the Putrid trail. It hasn't gotten any easier over the years, but at least I know the way. There was no snow up to the summit. That's obscene. We tapped the top and started on the traverse.
The ridge starts with a canted slope of semi-stable rock and grass. Just stable enough to make you think you can go quickly and just sketchy enough to make you want to slow down. Tink had no such qualms and raced back and forth.
Off the open slopes, we entered the trees. There is a trail, though it was covered in spots by snow and blowdown. Lots of postholing and only a little route finding. It climbed up to join the official trail just shy of the junction to Defiance.
I hadn't planned to summit Mt. Defiance, but why not? A quick, steep detour to see the frozen lakes of the wilderness and then back to the main trail. It was mostly clear until crossing the ridge where the snow was about two meters deep and strong enough to support me about 90% of the time. That sounds great, but means I punched through just enough to be officially over the snow by the time I reached Mason Lake.
From Mason down, we met lots and lots of people. Not a surprise given the road had just opened and the weather wasn't terrible. The car was a welcome sight and we returned to Tilly and the family bushed, but ready to do what we should have been doing all morning instead of frolicking in the mountains.
📍On the lands of the Snoqualmie people.
