Azurite, Hardy - July 2025
- Lucas Peterson
- Jul 12
- 5 min read
The goal for the weekend was Azurite Peak, a member of the Bulger List north of Tower and Golden Horn. It’s a peak that takes a substantial effort to get to regardless of the approach. I toyed with the idea of coming in from the Methow River side but had seen trip reports stating that the trail was horribly overgrown and in disrepair. Other climbers have come in via Mill Creek or even from Harts Pass, but there was another approach that piqued my interest.
I had read of a few parties ascending the shoulder of Mount Hardy straight from highway 20 before joining the PCT at Methow Pass. This seemed like a really efficient way to cut off mileage and allowed me to get up into the high country faster. Plus, I could hopefully squeeze in a summit of Hardy on my way. The only thing left to do was pay the high price of admission by rapidly ascending 4000 feet from the highway to the top of Hardy.
I parked at a big pullout on the highway near Swamp Creek, crossed to the north side of the creek on the road and dove into the woods. I immediately found a fairly good trail that had had some recent maintenance done on it. Logs had been cut and branches lopped and the tread was surprisingly good – this area must get more use than I figured. After a bit of steep climbing, the trail entered a (semi recent?) burn zone and became much fainter. This was the steepest part of the whole ridge and the sandy, loose soil made for hard work.
Eventually, the trees began to thin, and I was treated to great views across the valley to Black Peak and Mesahchie. At this point I could see the summit of Hardy and knew it was nothing but cross-country class 2 slogging to get to the summit. At the top I was feeling slightly worked after carrying an overnight pack all the way to the top (plus I wouldn’t recommend going to a winery concert the night before climbing Hardy on a hot day…). The views were great, though. I could see my route down to Methow Pass and Azurite looking quite far away.
I picked my way down from the summit of Hardy on open slopes with plentiful loose scree and sand. I was surfing down at one point and accumulated an incredible number of small pebbles in my shoes by the time I reached more solid ground. Eventually the terrain flattened and I was able to pick up a faint trail that only got more defined as I approached the pass.
The PCT felt like I was walking on air compared to the slog up Hardy and I was able to make really good progress down into the Methow River valley. The trail crosses the river at one point, and I ran into a bunch of north-to-south PCTers just beginning their months-long journeys.
A little over 5 miles after I left Methow Pass I reached the non-descript turnoff to Azurite Pass. Marked by a tiny cairn, it would be easy to miss. The lower parts of this trail are a bit overgrown and faint, but the tread got clearer as I ascended the steady switchbacks. Eventually the trail began to contour back west towards Jet Creek, and I was presented with what was arguably the crux of my entire Azurite trip. The alder and brushes were extremely dense on the banks of the creek, and there was no option but to thrash through them. The “trail” was there if you really searched for it, but I spent most of the time doing a balancing act while suspended off the ground on the thick mat of alder branches.
Eventually I was able to push my way through and found the blessedly clear trail on the other side. The gain up to Azurite Pass felt punishing after a long day, but I eventually made it and found a small spot to tuck a one-person tent in among some stunted firs. I took some pics of sunset hitting Golden Horn, but didn’t have energy for much else, so I went to bed quickly after the sun went down.
I took off early next morning, beginning my ascent up the steep but easy ridgeline that emanates south off Azurite. I reached about 7600’ before the well-cairned climber’s route dropped off the ridgeline to the west (climber’s left). I followed a series of cairns before reaching the series of ribs and gullies that make up the upper reaches of Azurite.
These gullies are steep and loose (classic!). The first gully headed back up to the right and narrowed to only a few feet wide. The amount of small loose rockslides I triggered on this section was almost comical. Once I emerged from this gully, it was time to enter a second, very prominent gully that headed back up to climber’s left and nearly reached the summit. I got slightly off route here in an effort to stay on more solid ground, staying high on the side of the gully on the left, but quickly found the terrain becoming increasingly steep and exposed. I didn’t like the look of this, so I retreated to the gully and accepted my fate on the scree treadmill, following the loose rock funnel to its terminus. The final bit of climbing was class 3 and more solid, which felt great, bringing me up to the summit to great views. I’m grateful Azurite’s summit isn’t the north one, because it looks difficult to get to.
Knowing I had a long way to hike out, I didn’t stay too long on top. On my descent I was able to use the narrow walls of the gullies to minimize loose rockslides and control my movements. I was eventually spit out back into easier terrain and was back to camp before I knew it.
The crossing of Jet Creek was still heinous on the way back, but the light was better, and I had more energy, so it felt slightly easier. Once again, it felt great to hit the PCT, and I plugged in some headphones and powered up the miles to Methow Pass.
Thankfully I didn’t have to re-climb Hardy to get to my car, but my route presented its own unique challenges. I had to make a steady traverse across the south face of Hardy, negotiating more ribs and gullies on my way. I generally followed the 7000’ contour, before slowly angling down to rejoin my up-track at about 6600’. This section was harder than I anticipated, but I was able to pick up some climber and goat paths that made things easier. I’m also contributing some of the difficulties to my general fatigue – this was a low energy trip for me! The rest of the way down Hardy was unrelentingly steep but got me back to the highway in short order.
In retrospect, I would recommend my route to Azurite for those that want more time in the alpine instead of a brushy valley trail. Just maybe skip the winery the night before.
Final Stats: 24.26 miles / 10,875 feet of gain
Comments