The Needle's Saddle

March 29 - 4 km / 660m gain / 1831m high point

We don't get through the winter without doing this popular scenic route. This day the weather could not have been better. But it didn't take long for me and Denise to realize we were just not feeling well. Yes this is a steep challenging snowshoe but we were both uncharacteristly struggling. So we turned back at the saddle while the others carried on to Flat Iron which is another 1.5 km + 290m gain + 67m higher (you have to drop down before climbing back up to it).

We parked by the restrooms off of exit #217 and walked under Hwy 5 through the tunnel.

The first hour through the forest to the viewpoint is a steep 32% grade. It's 1.67 km & 372m gain which is steeper than the Abby Grind.

The Needle's Peaks.

Mt. Markhor to the left.

The Flat Iron to the right.

Oops. Patrick's snowshoe broke.

Lorenz's zap straps to the rescue. Most of Patricks snowshoes were already zap-strapped. Denise & I were glad for the break.

Looking back at Yak.

South.

This was Dan's first time with our club.

Alpaca, Vicuna & Guanaco Peaks.

Yak, Nak & Thar ridge to the right.

1) north to northeast 2) northeast to east 3) southwest to west

northwest

The rest of the group was waiting for us by the rocks.

We continued on for almost half an hour to the saddle.

Looking east at the ridge leading to the Needle.

Group shot minus Denise: Cal, Mark, Sue, Dan, Al, Iraj, Lorenz, Lori, Charlotte, Patrick, me, Sheri

Its not till you get to the saddle, that you get the view to the North Cascades -- south.

Jim Kelly & Coquihalla Peaks -- southeast.

The North Cascades -- south.

The Flat Iron -- southeast. The summit is that tiny tower to the right.

That crack in the snow means its high risk for avalanche.

Mark (one of our drivers) offered to accompany us back down and drive us home.