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Today was to be my last hike of the year with Tuesday Dave. We've had quite a summer, so it was bittersweet that we would be hiking Kennally Creek again, the route of our first Tuesday outing this year.

After a week and more of gorgeous fall weather, this Tuesday was not going to be. NOAA said 20-30% POP after noon, and slight chance of lightning/thunder. So we started in the dark to try to beat it. No photos until we hit first snow at 6700', and still not yet enough light, really.

NOAA was wrong on timing, so we stowed the camera gear to protect it from the ensuing rain/drizzle. But I had to pull it out to show our mountain, which was being swallowed.

Summit.

Not a lot to look at.

As we headed down, the weather seemed to improve a bit. That's Blackmare Lake.

And the drizzle was finally going away. Photos.

Needles Summit, now visible. In this neck of the woods, a 'summit' is a pass.

Considering it's quite a walk back in here, I had hoped to do (or at least try) a couple additional summits. The one on the left was/is high on my list.

Here is a closer look. Note that the trail comes very close to the ridge at the left side of the photo.

At the No Trail junction, someone had done their business less than a yard from the trail. Whoever you are, you disgust me. You should not be allowed to visit the area. My dog has better trail manners.

On the way in, it had been too dark to show you the creek crossing. We were able to rock it in our boots. Contrast that with this spring.

Tamarack needles decorating the trail.

I'm already looking forward to Tuesdays in 2019.

Map

Dave's report

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