Favorite Peaks in Washington?

[benlen]

Hey folks,

I just learned that a family member who lives in Monroe, Washington is getting married in early August 2018. I love the Pacific Northwest and have always wanted to spend some time peak bagging up there, so this presents me an excuse/opportunity to take that up!

I'm just starting my research, and have compiled a few peak options that are near Leavenworth, but am looking for other options. Aside from looking at a few alpine lake hikes, I'm really looking for peaks that are challenging/fun day hikes (not backpacking), optional Class 3-4, and good amount of vertical. I haven't finished the 14ers yet but suspect I'll be done or close to done by the time August 2018 rolls around.

I'm planning now to drive my own car (Subaru Outback) on a road trip up there, so transport wise I'll be flexible and open to some minor rougher roads.

If you've hiked up in Washington, pardon my ignorance of the area and enthusiasm. If you have peaks you've hiked in the Cascades that you absolutely loved, I'd love to hear your recommendations!

Thanks so much!

[Monster5]

Enchantments! Check out Dragontail from Aasgard and Colchuk. We descended that route last year and it seemed nice. Lots of other scrambly-looking options in the Core Enchantments.

North Cascades are super cool too. Are you opposed to glacier approaches?

[FireOnTheMountain]

Wish I could provide you with more (and hope to rectify that) but Torment peak is really awesome and fits your needs. Nearby Eldorado peak would be a good one too but has a little more glacier travel. Check out liberty pass area also.

EDIT: Since Marsters called me out, do note that 4th class in WA (and pretty much everywhere but CO) can be a lot more spicy than what Coloradans may be accustomed to.

[benlen]

Enchantments! Check out Dragontail from Aasgard and Colchuk. We descended that route last year and it seemed nice. Lots of other scrambly-looking options in the Core Enchantments.

North Cascades are super cool too. Are you opposed to glacier approaches?

The Enchantments sound awesome, and I want to do them at some point, but pretty sure that involves a permit process and backpacking?

Not opposed to glacier approaches, really depends on the extent of the glacier travel. Most hikes I'm planning on doing solo, so if it entailed needing ropes/partners I would rule that out

Thanks for the recommendations so far Monster!

[mw88888888]

Mt Stuart is a great peak easier to access from Leavenworth (it may be cheesy, but I love that town). Doable in a long day (13 miles RT, 6500 VF) in summer, we did a multi pitch 5.8 on the way up and hiked down the Cascading couloir all in one day, but you don't really need to get the rope out unless you want/have the experience and partners, which it sounds like you won't have on this foray. The granite is exquisite up there. A fun scramble (class 3) is the Cascadian couloir by itself - if you leave the hardware/partners at home. This was probably my favorite climb in Washington and I would solo it.

A little late for a ski, but this is also one of the classic ski lines on the east side I've done. By August it should be totally snow free.

And yes, the enchantments, especially in August, will be a permit deal and very tough to get is my understanding. The real deal is Prussik if you're in the enchantments and you'll want to bring partners and climb that sucker if you see it! It's 18 miles RT, so probably a backpack to really enjoy it.

[TravelingMatt]

Oh cool, a discussion about actual hiking.

You can dayhike the Enchantments without a permit. I've done it and it's no big deal as long as you start from the Colchuk trailhead before 7 am. I don't think it's even 5000' to the upper lakes.

What else do I like there... Icicle Ridge on the other side of the road from the Enchantments is nice. Rock Mountain from US 2. Spider Meadow and the pass above it (5 miles before you get to any scenery, but worth it). The peak to the north of Little Giant Pass, nice view of Glacier Peak. Further north (highway 20 corridor), the Hidden Lake Lookout. Shortish hike (4 miles each way) but absolutely buries the needle on bang for the buck. Lot of stuff around Cle Elum I can't remember right now too.

Look into 7-Fingered Jack or Cashmere Mountain. Long days, haven't done them, but I've hiked the approaches and heard they go "Beckey class 3".

[jrbren_vt]

I hiked and loved these day hike walk up peaks (no glaciers) many years ago-->
Hidden Lakes Peak & Lookout ((as mentioned already, except I recall it was more like 8 mile RT with ~3K elevation gain) in North Cascades NP),
Sourdough Lookout (North Cascades NP),
Plummer & Castle Peak ((Mt Rainier NP), did not make to the top of the latter)
Shriner Peak, (Mt Rainier NP, I recall I camped in my Subaru Outback for this one),
Mt Aix (east of Mt Rainier NP),
Mt Townsend (east of Olympic NP and West of Puget Sound, great views of container ships in the sound),
and of course Mt St Helen's.
I would recommend any of these, if you had to choose 2, I would say Hidden lakes Peak and St Helen's.
I need to get back to WA, been too long.

[Scott P]

If you don't want glacier travel, maybe try Mount Pugh or farther north some of the peaks around Hidden Lakes in the North Cascades. The peaks around Cascade Pass are even more scenic than the ones around Hidden Lakes, but most of them are technical.

If you do want to do glacier travel and have a partner, head to the North Cascades for sure. The Olympics are nice too, but some of the approaches can be long.

[CHeimCO]

+1 for Mt Stuart/enchantments it's beautiful out there. Study the route as mentioned it can get very spicy.

[Dave B]

AFAIK, Rainier is the only mountain in WA.

[druid2112]

Whitehorse Mountain near Darrington. If you're in Monroe that is close by.... well, kinda. There is a good deal of routefinding - like, some pretty considerable routefinding. I'm referring to the trail from the north (Niederpum?), not any glacier route. The first couple miles are also super steep (I think 3500' in two miles, maybe not that much) and go though some pretty awesome second (but old) growth and old growth forest.

Oh, and for sure, given your locale, stick to the Cascades and leave the Olympics for another trip.

[shredthegnar10]

+1 for Cashmere Mountain -- it's a longer day for sure (about 15-16 miles RT, 5k of elevation if I recall correctly), but it's a nice class 2+/3 scramble. The views are absolutely stunning.

If you can get up to highway 542 (Mt. Baker Highway), Tomyhoi Peak is another really nice alpine scramble (not a super long day -- about 12 mi RT and 4k of elevation), but there's a little snowfield that you have to cross that I'd recommend crampons for.

Mt. Bigelow in the Entiat Mountains (north of Wenatchee on US-97) is another nice day-hike/scramble (I think 13-14 mi RT, maybe 3500-4000' elevation, class 2+/3).

Black Peak in the North Cascades (off highway 20) is a good class 3 day-trip (14 mi RT, 4500' elevation gain), but there's a really exposed section at the end, so this probably isn't a good option if you're not comfortable with exposure.

Old Snowy Mountain in the Goat Rocks Wilderness (off US-12) is a nice, straightforward day-hike (pretty much on a trail or well-marked route the whole way). I'd say it's class 2 at most, I think about 12 miles RT with 4k elevation gain.

Hope this helps!