Howard-Mastiff traverse: We dropped off all our gear and all but one person at the Merritt Lake TH and the last person drove back to Rock Mtn TH and biked back (about a 15 minute ride, including about 2 miles on US-2, no more than 300 vert). Heading up to Howard, there's an airy part above Lost Lake, though it's totally class-2. The "crux" was descending from Mastiff to the Nason Ridge trail.. there was above 100 vert of routefinding through steeper sections and a short tunnel downhill through alder. From there, it's at least 500 vert to gain to get to Rock Lake, so don't think it's over once you reach Howard (a sicko peakbagger could also grab Rock Mtn.. I had skied it previously). I'm a big fan of loop trips, and the views from Howard (the only 7000+ peak in the area) are great.
WR North Twin Sister: The road is gated just before a big bridge. You're looking for the "4th right", which is about 2.5 miles up the road. From the intersection, you should be able to see a bridge you need to cross. Be careful on this bridge.. it has wood planks with parallel cracks not intended for bicycles. Continue for another mile and a half, looking for a sign for Road 9100. Probably also see a cairn. You'll go downhill slightly but not too much. Here go left up the road. Bunch o' tank-traps at first, then better. Keep on climbing all the way to a fire-ring and obvious trail. About 2900' vert by bike. Gotta love the granny gear. Many many variations to the route. The crux is a short buttress right of the ridge with plentiful jugs. Good party management is important here.. someone in our party accidentally dislodged a microwave block that bowled down the gully that leads to this buttress. Everyone below was off to the side, out of the line of fire. We got graupeled on up top, but that didn't affect the super-grippiness of the rock. Starting to see some blueberries and huckleberries down low! Bike ride back down was fast though a little sloppy with the wetness. Front suspension is not necessary, though would make the descent more pleasant.