Climbing Quiemuth Peak (Thurston County high point) Jan 20th, 2024 (Republished June 18th, 2025)
Today my friend Steve D. and I decided to go climbing. Though the climbing season was mostly over, we dusted off our gear and climb Quiemuth Peak. A little-known peak whose main claim to fame is that it is named after a famous Nisqually Indian Chief and is the highest point in my home county. On the way we were blessed to see many beautiful plants along the turquoise green waters of Alder Lake. With a 4.6-mile approach we definitely got our steps in. Along the way we saw several medicine and edible plants and I took the time to teach my friend about several of them including plantain and devils club. We either missed the small logging road to go up to the peak or it was totally overgrown. Undaunted, we decided to take the hard way up, which led to another mile of 35-to-50-degree bushwalking, up a peak with no trail. This 2,922-foot elevation peak and our chosen route challenged us greatly. Eventually after an hour of carefully negotiating brush, rocks and fallen trees, we made it to the top. While there were no views from the top (One climbing review called it, ” an endless suffer fest, without even a view”.), we still celebrated our hard work with a much deserved can of RC Cola. Such a wonderful day of hiking and a 10 mile or so round-trip adventure. Next week maybe we’ll climb the Pierce County highpoint, weather permitting.
As I reflect on this adventure, I can’t help but think how much of life is a macrocosm to this microcosm. In life we can make the best laid plans and preparations and believe we know what our journey holds but it can change in an instant. Just like this hike, it can be full of missed turns or unanticipated challenges on the way to our destination. Fortunately, we have the blessed assurance in Christ that no matter the unanticipated events that may come to pass, our salvation is guaranteed. “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith. And this not your own doing; it is the gift of God, so that no man can boast”-Ephesians 2:8-9