Golden Ears - July 22nd-23rd 2023

 It was redemption time for Coen! After getting up to Panorama Ridge when he was only 6 (7?) but having to turn around due to sickness, Coen was eager to get back and redeem himself by summiting Golden Ears. We decided to backpack up and camp since it would be more fun and we wouldn't have to do the whole thing in one go.

GE from where we finally gained the ridge

We left the east canyon parking lot at 7:45 and started up the logging road. I have always done GE from the west canyon but I had heard the east canyon was slightly easier and quicker so decided to go that route instead, at the end of the day, I don't think it was much different or easier so can't really recommend either.

Coen slogging his way up

Anyways the first 4km are pretty boring logging road, would be great to bike, before you head over gold creek on a big bridge and start going up. The trail connects here with the west canyon approach and its only 1 or 2km to Alder Flats. We made it there around 9:30 and stopped for some food. We had started early in order to avoid the worst of the afternoon heat and hopefully get a tent pad but I saw a bunch of other groups and at this point had pretty much given up on getting a tent pad.

Coen on the summit

After eating we started the difficult slog up, I was well accustomed to this having done it at least 4 times now. We quickly passed the other groups that had passed us while we were eating and we would remain in front of them for the rest of the day. The weather had turned out much cooler than expected so it was never too hot. We plodded our way slow and steady and theres not much to say about this part honestly since I've done it so many times.

Me on the other (west?) ear

We made it to the ridge around 1:30 and sure enough every tent pad and then some was taken up. Coen and Sam staked out a less than ideal camp spot while I searched for a better one and eventually found it. We set up above and right beside the water source on a nice flat spot and rested. We had decided to go to the summit that evening but first we would take a break. Coen, Jebby and I went in the tent and actually ended up having a nice nap while Sam chilled outside.

Coen, Jebby and I on the summit

I woke up at 3:45 and woke Coen up. We had planned on starting our hike to the top at 4 so we could be back down for 6 or so and off we went. I knew the way to the summit so there was never any real trouble getting up. Jebby was surprisingly agile and unafraid of the most difficult scrambling parts which was nice. At one point we tried to stay on trail, which was a mistake (should have gone around), because it was too steep for Jebby but we perservered and made it.

Sam, Jebby and I on the summit

Once at the summit I quickly ran over to tag the other ear that I had heard about online. It only took ~20 minutes to go up and back and was kind of cool. After pictures and some water we headed down retracing our steps except the steep part where I went around the easier way and Sam and Coen followed. We got back to our tent at 6 and had some dinner and read our books and hung out for the rest of the evening. We went in the tent and fell asleep by 11.

The Judge in the back and the emergency shelter

The next AM we got up at 7:30 and surpisingly a lot of our fellow campers had already packed up and left. We took our time eating and packing up and were on the trail by 9. The way down was uneventful but painful and slow and we made it back to the car just before 1.

Overall great trip, Coen was very happy to finally tag GE!

 

Our camping spot