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Sunday, October 20, 2013

Central Cascades – Carne Mountain Hike


Left: Elevation Profile of Carne Mountain Hike; Right: A Hiker Coming Up to the Peak of Carne Mountain
Elevation Profile of Carne Mountain HikeA Hiker Coming Up to the Peak of Carne Mountain
The pyramid profile we captured of our hike up and back from Carne Mountain explains this hike: steep. However, the view of the larches made it all worth while. The last time we saw larches was on a hike near Bolzano in 2007. Those were likely Larix decidua, native to central Europe. On this hike, you really get into the thick of larches when you enter the Carne Basin at around 6,100 feet. The larches that grow here are likely Alpine Larch (Larix lyalli). You will also see a lot of Whitebark Pine (Pinus albicaulis) mixed in as you climb the last ¼ mile to the peak.

On this fall day, the weather was warm and the white snow, blue skies, and yellow needles of the larches made for memorable scenery. For more about the larch, see Binomen Art – Larix (Larch).

Hike Stats

Length: 8.3 miles
Duration:
< 6 hours; left trailhead at 9:45 am and returned at 3:20 pm.
Elevation:
gain 4,400 ft, started at 3,600 ft; Carne peak at 7,050 ft (we recorded), 7,085 ft (reported by WTA site).
Location:
Central Cascades -- Stevens Pass - East, Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest.
Notes:
10th hike of the season, total miles including this hike = 115.2 miles.

Larch Photos: Left – A Blur of Larches Approaching the Peak of Carne Mountain; Center: Larix Needles in the Snow; Right: A Larix Branch in Carne Basin
A Blur of Larches Approaching the Peak of Carne MountainLarix Needles in the SnowA Larix Branch

Left: Golden Larch Lights the Way Up To Carne Mountain; Right: The Peak of Carne Mountain
Golden Larch Lights the Way Up To Carne MountainThe Peak of Carne Mountain

Left: Entering Carne Basin at about 6,100 feet; Center: Snow and Larch in Carne Basin; Right: Stopping for Lunch Near the Peak of Carne Mountain We Hit a Patch of Ladybugs!
Entering Carne Basin at about 6,100 feetSnow and Larch in Carne BasinStopping for Lunch Near the Peak of Carne Mountain We Hit a Patch of Ladybugs!

Left: At the Peak of Carne Mountain Looking East; Center: View West from Carne Mountain; Left: View North from Carne Mountain
At the Peak of Carne Mountain Looking EastView West from Carne MountainView North from Carne Mountain

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