Tiffany Mountain-Freezeout Ridge, Winthrop Washington

A short hike that starts at 6500 feet elevation and climbs to the top of Tiffany Mountain which sits at 8242 feet elevation. The road to the trail head, Freezeout Ridge is rather rough and bumpy, pretty good washboards going on. Very do able in a Car. The trail meanders up through a burn area with a view of Roger Lake off to the right, then it opens up into the meadows, which continue all the way to the top of Tiffany. Lots of flowers blooming in the burn area, and some started through out the meadows. We started out on the trail with the temperature at 43 degrees, when we returned to the car it was 56 degrees. The weatherman was promising in the 80's. When you reach the meadows it feels like you are rolling up the mountain, you don't notice the elevation gain so much until you reach the hump and the junction that either continues up the mountain or takes off on a side trail to Whistler Pass. From there it is rather steep and lots of rock hoping, due to the trail is pretty rutted from snow and water and hikers. Gorgeous views all the way up, the top is fairly flat and gives you a 360 degree view. A nice panorama of the Pasayten Peaks, a view over into the Loomis County side, Okanogan Highlands and a stunning view of the North Cascades on a clear day. The rocks all the way up the trail are fascinating, lots of lichen growning on them. Sitting at the top of the mountain looking over into the Loomis side Tiffany Mountain has rock face that is very interesting. With a slight breeze at 8242 feet the temperature was slightly chilly. 6 Miles round trip, lots of folks heading up as we were coming down the trail. We wandered off the trail to check a porcupine out, he heard us coming and took off. Beautiful views, lots of mountains, lovely meadow and a great hike to get a panorama of the North Cascades on a clear day.

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