5/11/10 Mt Baldy, Domerie Peak and Thomas Mt

Here's a link to the complete set of photos, right HERE.
Ok, so last night I slept in the back of my Subie on a foam matress and bedding at the TH and got an early start today (6:45am) The trail started out in a nice thick forest and gained elevation rather quickly, like Tiger Mt Cable Trail quick!



The GT map shows the first section of trail gaining 1K feet in .8 miles. Well the .8 miles is a bit short of actual. After about .8 mile I reached a logging road where I followed it to the left for about 30 yards then found the trail on the left once again and proceeded up more, gaining elevation quickly again.
I had stopped along the logging road for a view of a goat across the valley, he's in the video :)

I headed further up the trail and eventually reached the junction with the Easton Ridge Trail and turned left up the Domerie Divide Trail.
Soon I got a view to the west .



I started to hit a few snow patches but nothing to get too worried about. Finally I reached the top of the ridge but couldn't find the trail jct marker, oh well. I headed south along on top of heading towards Baldy and Domerie. The snow was firm enough that I didn't need the snowshoes yet.



I stayed a bit below the ridge and soon passed over Baldy which didn't seem too significant.
I continud up to Domerie and the clouds were wisping over the ridge and plummeting down the east side towards Lake Cle Elum.
I spent a few minutes on the summit with limited views before heading back north to eyeball Thomas.



After the trail jct the route drops about 200 feet into the forest where the snow was deeper and softer.
I donned my snowshoes and made decent time through the flats then quickly the ridge got steep and narrowed as it climbs towards Thomas.
Finally I reached the summit and the views to the east were grand!



I put on a dry pair of socks and 20 minutes later I headed back down. By now the clouds were clearing and the views everywhere were getting better. The climb back up the ridge from the flats was a bugger, I was tired and the snow was even softer now too.



Finally back at the jct I soaked in more views.



Back down the trail I finally removed my snowshoes near 4600' and made my way down the steep trail to the footbridge where I stopped for a few photos of the man made waterfall.



I met a Ranger and chatted her up for a few minutes before heading to my car and heading home.
What an awesome day to be out in the mountains!