Meadow Mountain Jaunt

Glacier Peak Wilderness

Oct 8, 1994

  Meadow Mtn. © Ken James McLeod

"Hey, we got to get off this mountain, it's going to get dark real soon being that it's after 6:00 PM already," I stated.

We (Glen Lee, Mark Boyle, Steve White and I) had been on the mountain (Meadow Mtn.) all day, most of it off-trail on a day hike, now the light was beginning to fade rapidly.....the 3,500 foot descent to our vehicle would be spent mostly in the dark this day. And of course, nobody had a headlamp or flashlight.

Down the mountainside we went near Owl Creek through the brush - I leading with the others following hot on my heels. We made the first thousand feet quickly not wanting to waste any more precious time, then things slowed as we encountered a few cliffy spots combined with more thicker brush. About half way down, the light gave way to gray shadows and darkness then engulfed us. We stumbled, clawed, and pushed our way down, foot by foot, until fairly level ground was achieved. It was now pitch black!

I came upon a creek and then a log - even in the dark, both Glen and I recognized it as being a part of our route we had taken in the early morning climb shortly after we had left the road. We called to the others who were not too far behind to tell them we were near the road. And pushing through the brush, I stood on the road about 50 feet from where we had parked our truck near the Whitechuck Trailhead. Not bad, considering we had done most all of this descent engulfed in the darkness, or should I say, "by the freakin' skin of our teeth!"

Tired and somewhat worn, but a good worn, we made a dash for the truck where "cold ones" waited in the cooler Glen had brought. As we did so, we passed a few campers who looked at us as if we were made from night. Soon, we were headed for the nearest resturant for prime rib, salad, beer and cheer.......

KJM

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