IMAC Backpacking, Goat Rocks
Mt Rainier Face-off. Yes, I will take you down someday.
Intermountain Alpine Club is what IMAC stands for. The outdoor activity group has been around for over 70 years and is based out of Richland, WA. As stated on the imacnw.org website, “Our primary purpose is to encourage the enjoyment of the outdoors and to promote hiking, mountain climbing, and other activities in the Pacific Northwest”.
At the trailhead ready to hit the dirt.
Meet the Tramily. Ernie, Mike, Tom, Cynthia, Russell, Mafer, Don, Jay, Chris, Elena, Shelly, Astra, David, Ray, and me. The trip was planned and led by Jay Reinhardt, who is actually a friend of my father. Jay had seen some of my photography before, and well, after a quick phone call I was assigned as photographer for the trip.
At Goat Lake and inside of the clouds.
We couldn’t have asked for better weather. Well, for the first 2 days, that is. Because of the rain forecast on the 3rd day we did improvise a bit with the plan. We actually made it to all the major destinations in the first 2 days so that some people could hike out the evening of the 2nd day. Those destinations being Snowgrass Flats, Old Snowy Mountain summit, Goat Lake, and the Knife Edge.
Astra on Goat Lake the first evening
Goat Lake from Old Snowy Mountain (2nd day)
Day One: We chose 2 campsites near Snowgrass Flats about a half a mile apart, set up camp, and then headed up to Goat Lake. 12 hikers is the limit for a group to camp together. And while hiking we were often split into two, and sometimes three, groups.
Self portrait with Mt Adams just a short hike from the campsite
Sunrise on Mt Adams 09-21-19
Sunrise near Snowgrass 96/PCT
Day Two: We hiked to Old Snowy Mountain summit and out on the Knife Edge. This was my second time out in these areas and I was already starting to feel like it’s my own backyard.
Crossing a snow field on the way to Old Snowy Mountain
Quite a few of our group on Old Snowy Mountain summit with Mt Rainier in the background
Mt Saint Helens from Old Snowy Mountain
It was the second evening that the majority of the group decided to hike out to skip the coming rain. So I took the opportunity to do some solo hiking and self-portrait landscape photography.
Only took me 11 attempts to get this shot
“1 minute and 9 seconds” (how long it took me to run between my camera and the peak)
East side of Old Snowy with Mt Adams in the background
On the PCT alternate trail to Old Snowy. To the right is the start of the Knife Edge. Mt Rainier in the background.
This is just about the reverse perspective of the panoramic shot above but at sunset. Mt Adams in the background.
Between August and September I have spent two evenings up on Old Snowy Summit alone to climb down in the dark and hike the 2.5 miles back to Snowgrass Flats. The first time I almost ran into some mountain goats. That got my adrenaline pumping a bit. But this time was more like a midnight walk in the park.
At night I put on everything I could to stay warm and went out and tried some Astrophotography. Sunrise on the third morning was beautiful. Didn’t feel the first drop of rain until about 9am.
Left: I met “Tank” who has now hiked the entirety of the Pacific Crest Trail. Right: I met up with Russell and Mafer, who were the 2 others still left from our group, and we hiked back to the parking lot together.
See all 53 photos below:
If you are one of the 15 on the hike or are with IMAC then you can use the pin # to download the images here
