5/11/2024 We didn’t want to take any risks with avalanches on this warm weekend, so we opted for a safe but steep ascent up a ridgeline to Hidden Lake Peaks. This spot is popular in the summer for good reason – it offers an excellent and intimate view of the rugged and glaciated peaks surrounding Cascade Pass and beyond. This would be my first time seeing these views while all the peaks were still blanketed in snow and my first ascent via the winter route.  The forest road up

4/13/2025 Ruby Mountain is a North Cascades classic. Once considered a candidate for a tramway to be built to its summit, you know it must be a good viewpoint. I had climbed it via the winter route once before but was happy to go back with Katie and Eric.  The North Cascades Highway was still closed, so our journey began at the Ross Dam Trailhead. Despite a beautiful, sunny weather forecast, it was quite cold starting out and we bundled up in puffy coats and gloves. We seeme

4/1/2024 Despite being a relatively random ridgeline near Spada Lake, Git Out Ridge has over 1000 feet of prominence and provides some nice views of Mountain Loop Peaks, making it a very worthwhile destination.  I started my adventure at the Culmback Dam parking area past the end of Sultan Basin Road. From the trailhead I crossed the dam almost immediately, which was a cool experience. The view from the dam itself was plenty impressive. View from the Culmback Dam From the dam

10/7/2023 - 10/8/2023 Katie and I made the long drive to the Entiat river valley in the trusty Prius on Friday night. Once you leave pavement the road is 95% totally fine and 5% borderline for a Prius – there were some “grit your teeth and hope you have enough clearance” dry creek bed crossings and one mogul section of the road that required me to push from behind as Katie floored, but overall, the Prius performed admirably! A higher clearance car would have no problems. In f

9/23/2023 In search of a quick peak I could get in before rain came into Western Washington that afternoon, I chose Bald Mountain (East Peak) near Spada Lake. I had wanted to explore the Mountain Loop more and the Walt Bailey trail seemed like a great choice for a short trip with good fall color. The forest service road up to the Mallardy Ridge Trailhead was in immaculate condition and I got started around 8:45 am. The trail was semi-rugged, but still allowed for some fast tr

9/16/2025 - 9/17/2025 Katie, Eric and I set out for a fun camping and climbing adventure out of Monte Cristo – and what better way to reach the old ghost town than by bike?? I had read about an old wagon road that could be a good alternative to the standard Monte Cristo trail because it bypasses the South Fork Sauk river crossing and washed-out section of trail. The road leaves the Mountain Loop highway about ¾ of a mile east of Barlow Pass. Katie and Eric would both be using

9/2/2023 Mount Buckner is one of Washington’s 9000-foot peaks, and the highest point in Skagit County. Kyle, Brad, and I visited the summit in early September (which I’m not sure I would recommend) in a dawn to dusk effort. After a night spent at the Cascade Pass trailhead, we got up before first light and were moving shortly before 5 am. The switchbacks were as numerous and well-graded as ever, and before long we were coming into Cascade Pass. The first hints of a sunrise we

6/22/2023 It was a slow workday, and I was hoping to do a unique after work hike despite the questionable weather forecast, so I drove over to Cle Elum midday. After some semi-productive time leeching off the Wi-Fi at the Starbucks in the Cle Elum Safeway, I cut out a bit early and drove up the Salmon La Sac road. My goal was Hawkins Mountain – a 7000 ft+ peak located in between the Cascade Crest and the Stuart Range. On clear days it promised good views in all directions. I

6/12/2023 The long days were giving me some ambitious after work ideas, and I thought The Ark looked like a fun climb that was a potential candidate. I was able to get started at 3:15 pm, which I thought would allow me a good chance of getting it done. The first half mile was flat walking next to the Taylor River before I branched off up the Quartz Creek valley on old logging roads. The final scramble It was a super hot and muggy afternoon, and I took the opportunity to dunk

5/31/2023 Due to the ever-lengthening daylight hours in late May, I was feeling the need for an afterwork hike. I settled upon Mount Baldy and drove out to the Kachess Ridge Trailhead near Easton. I didn’t get started hiking until after 5:30 pm. I immediately crossed a footbridge that spanned Silver Creek and took note of a small, but very pretty waterfall nearby. Then, the trail didn’t waste any time getting down to business as it climbed steeply up to Para Point. There was

5/20/2023 After parking at the pullout on Highway 20 near milepost 147, I set off back up the road for half a mile in pursuit of the so-called Cabinet Peak. I don’t think this is an official name, but we’ll use it instead of the uninspiring Peak 6882 for this report. Walking along Highway 20 with Crater Mountain in the distance After crossing over Cabinet Creek, I found a faint trail on the south side of the road that took me into the woods and uphill. This trail was easier t

5/7/2023 Red Mountain is a fun, straightforward peak in the Salmon La Sac area that has a nice winter route. With the unseasonably cold April we have had in Washington, the route was still in good shape in early May. Our group of 5 started out at the Red Mountain “trailhead” on the paved FS 4600 road that heads to the Pete Lake Trailhead. There was no space for parking cars, so we tucked ourselves into a small pull-out down the road a bit that also appeared to double as a di

4/15/2023 Marissa was in town – so we had to get out on a fun adventure. Unfortunately, the weather for the weekend was not cooperating. Our original plans for a longer ski tour didn’t seem like they were in the cards, so we opted for a more conservative plan that we thought we could fit into our narrow weather window. Herman Saddle is a classic ski tour, and it provides access to a lot of terrain in a beautiful area in the Baker Backcountry. The views of Shuksan and Baker a

Somehow, I had never been to the Crystal Backcountry, and with the new year that had to change. The goal for these two trips was to check out Bullion Basin and the supposed wealth of backcountry skiing options that radiate out from the basin. 1/1/2023 Katie and I got a late start, so only had time for a quick tour. We started up from the C lot at Crystal and began touring up the Blue Bell Loop, a nice, groomed trail, which took us up to the start of the Bullion Basin Trail sy

12/3/2022 The Cascades had just received their first big snowfall of the year, and it was time to go play in the snow. Katie and I chose to go down to Paradise because of its open skiable terrain and beautiful scenery. It has also become something of an early season tradition to head down that way to knock the rust off before winter begins in earnest. The road from Longmire to Paradise wasn’t set to open until after 10 am, so we had a leisurely morning and were in no rush to

11/20/2022 Western Washington was at the height of shoulder season – snow had fallen in the mountains but nowhere near enough for winter activities to begin in earnest. With a good forecast upon us, Katie and I headed out to the Snoqualmie Pass area for what I hoped to be a perfect adventure given the conditions. Mount Margaret is located just over the pass between Keechelus Lake and Rampart Ridge. The normal summer trailhead is located up the steep Forest Road 4832 at about

10/16/2022 The late summer and early fall of 2022 had been unseasonably hot and smoky throughout the Cascades and Washington state. I had been obsessively checking smoke forecasts trying to make the most of the hot and sunny weather throughout this period, and it looked like there was a small window at Snoqualmie Pass for the weekend. Knowing this, my dad and I set out for a casual day trip to Red Mountain. The PCT north trailhead at Snoqualmie Pass was packed with cars, but

10/1/2022 Western Washington had been plagued by near consistent wildfire smoke during the exceptionally dry September and October of 2022. I had been monitoring the smoke forecasts and was cautiously optimistic about clean air in the Chelan Sawtooths. I figured the larches would be a bit early for peak color but was still excited about the chance to camp at a larchy lake and knock off another Bulger via a seldom-done route. I had heard tales of horrific bushwacking from late

9/24/2022 - 9/25/2022 It had been a goal of mine to sleep in the Three Fingers Lookout for years. It is an iconic and improbably place for a fire lookout with a rugged approach and an exciting finish on old wooden ladders. Eric was in for an epic weekend so we set off early Saturday morning for the "trailhead." Most trips I do to the mountains involve long drives that have trailheads in relatively pristine wilderness areas...this was not the case for Three Fingers. It is a sh

9/22/2022 I'd been eyeing Robinson for years as a fun day-trip Bulger but had never gotten around to it. That would change in September 2022. After a good night's sleep in the back of the car at Ballard "campground" (really just a nice, dispersed camping zone as far as I could tell), Katie and I hit the Robinson Creek Trail at 6:30 am. I always enjoy getting out into the Pasayten, and this trip was no exception. Excitement grew as we travelled along the nice trail until we hi