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Mount Daniel Trip Report

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Kaitlin Sommerfeld

9/2/2025 9:20 PM

Hi friends,

I'm writing to share a trip report from a recent climb of Mount Daniel, in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in Washington. Here's the link to the team photo album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/UztzQ7Fu6Uo1VNZQ9

All the best,

Kaitlin

Mad Marmot

9/3/2025 11:31 AM

Congrats on the Daniel summit! I've always been surprised that the club doesn't visit the area more frequently as Mt Daniel itself somewhat marks the easterly end of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness range of peaks extending easterly from Chikamin. As noted, that trailhead (Tucquala meadows) serves a myriad of trails, summits and lakes, including Tuck & Robin lakes (the mini-Enchantments); you'll almost always encounter parking issues there.

Peggy's Pond has become overused for camping over the years and is often a mosquito haven during summer months. It looks as if you made the wise decision to move a bit north from Peggy's Pond to the Hyas Creek valley to set camp. That area, and the southeast ridge to Mt Daniel (along your climb route), offer far better camping options.

Compare this picture (Mason's) looking west at the Alpine Crest peaks

with this one from late July, 2012, taken during a carryover loop climb of Mt Daniel

Think there's been some climate change . . . . ?

And lastly, why no stop at The Brick (https://www.bricksaloon.com/) in Roslyn for an exit meal?!? Is Kaitlin too young to be familiar with Northern Exposure?

Great report and pics!

Sue Nelson

9/3/2025 3:01 PM

Bill, Was that the climb that I was on with Herb F. and Debra March? And we did it as a carry-over loop in 2 days because the mosquitoes were so bad at Peggy's Pond?

Yes, I remember quite a lot of snow and a crossing at the mouth of a pond with ice in it, and a steep slope that you didn't want to fall on!

Mad Marmot

9/3/2025 4:17 PM

Sue, the climb you're remembering (correctly as to duration and mosquitos!) was in August, 2003 - Herb's provi lead. Climb party: Herb Fecker, Sally Clark, the Debster, Haydar Kutuk, Jim Tschanz, me, you. The high snow photo (below) from 2012 was from another iteration of one of several Mt Daniel loop carryover climbs over the years.

On 9/3/2025 2:59 PM, Susan Nelson wrote:

Frosty Gill

9/5/2025 5:35 PM

I just read the full trip report at last!

Sounds like a fun hike except for that, character building, "missing the junction" and accidentally going to Deep Lake just gives me chills.

I've def missed junctions before and it is just so brutal to realize you missed a turn!

Congrats on a great trip! :)

Gratefully,

"Frosty" Gill

he/him/his
503-551-2625

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