Steve Fox's winter scrambles
Note: The contents of this page are from Steve Fox's now defunct page: http://web.archive.org/web/20071015075001/www.eskimo.com/~sfox/WINTER/
Winter Summits
Snow conditions dictate winter scrambles. They can change very quickly. Road access, avalanche hazard, strenuousness, and summit success can vary a tremendous amount. So these ratings are only a rough comparison of the peaks.
Winter scrambling is a dangerous activity. Be a smart scrambler -- be willing to turn back if conditions are unsafe. Even a slight deviation from the surveyed routes may affect exposure and avalanche hazard considerably. The fact that a peak is listed here does not represent that it will be safe.
Exposure Rating
|
Avalanche Rating
|
A: Falling will only get snow on your face.
B: Falling may require self arrest, but usually good runout.
C: Falling requires self arrest, could be fatal.
|
A: Usually safe in high, considerable, moderate, and low avalanche conditions.
B: Often safe in moderate and low conditions.
C: Only recommended in low conditions.
|
Peaks in red climbed by Herr Webmeister
Highway 542 (Mt Baker Highway)
West to east
Summit
|
Elev
|
Start
|
Gain
|
Access
|
Expo
|
Aval
|
Route
|
Notes
|
Church (Lookout Peak)
|
6,315
|
1,288
|
5,000
|
Hwy 542
|
B
|
B
|
trail
|
-- Elevation 6100, Start 2400, Gain 3700, Access FS Rd 3040 (if no snow)
|
Excelsior
|
5,712
|
1,827
|
3,900
|
Hwy 542
|
A
|
B
|
trail 670
|
|
Barometer
|
5,770
|
4,200
|
1,600
|
Baker ski area
|
B
|
C
|
Chain Lakes
|
|
Herman
|
6,285
|
4,200
|
2,100
|
Baker ski area
|
B
|
C
|
SW ridge
|
|
Table
|
5,742
|
4,200
|
1,500
|
Baker ski area
|
C
|
B
|
trail
|
|
Highway 20 (North Cascades Highway)
West to east
Summit
|
Elev
|
Start
|
Gain
|
Access
|
Expo
|
Aval
|
Route
|
Notes
|
Goat (Hamilton)
|
4,778
|
809
|
4,000
|
Crown Pac. Rd 350
|
A
|
A
|
S slopes
|
Start (depends on snowline-road wasn't gated at Baker Lk Hwy), Gain-2800, Access-Crown Pac. Rd 350, Route- south slopes
|
Welker
|
5,587
|
2,000
|
3,600
|
Anderson Cr Rd
|
B
|
B
|
NW ridge/south slope
|
Sauk
|
5,541
|
1,817
|
3,700
|
Sauk Mt Rd
|
B
|
C
|
trail Start depends on snow line
|
Lookout
|
5,692
|
1,255
|
4,400
|
Cascade R Rd
|
A
|
B
|
trail
|
|
Hidden Lake
|
7,088
|
1,373
|
5,700
|
Road 1540
|
B
|
B
|
NW ridge
|
Start -snowline, Access-FS Rd1540, Route-NW ridge to N ridge
|
Oakes
|
5,681
|
800
|
4,900
|
Road 1062
|
A
|
A
|
Road, S ridge
|
Start 800', or where road is undrivable
|
Damnation
|
5,635
|
2,245
|
3,400
|
Thornton Cr Rd
|
B
|
B
|
SE ridge
|
|
Trappers
|
5,966
|
2,245
|
3,700
|
Thornton Cr Rd
|
A
|
B
|
trail
|
|
Sourdough
|
6,107
|
890
|
5,200
|
Diablo
|
A
|
B
|
trail
|
LO site 5,985'
|
Ruby
|
7,408
|
2,200
|
5,200
|
Hwy 20
|
A
|
B
|
abandoned trail
|
|
Highway 530 (Darrington area)
West to east
Summit
|
Elev
|
Start
|
Gain
|
Access
|
Expo
|
Aval
|
Route
|
Notes
|
Higgins (W)
|
4,849
|
1,450
|
3,400
|
C Post Rd
|
A
|
B
|
Trail route
|
former lookout location
|
Round
|
5,320
|
1,600
|
3,700
|
Swede Heaven
|
B
|
B
|
S ridge
|
Eighth most prominent peak in WA. map
|
Prairie
|
5,678
|
1,090
|
4,600
|
Suiattle Rd/Rd 25
|
B
|
B
|
NE ridge
|
|
Prairie
|
5,678
|
2,000
|
3,700
|
Road 2140
|
B
|
B
|
W face, S ridge
|
alternate route per Andy B.
|
Mountain Loop Highway (Verlot/Silverton area)
West to east
Summit
|
Elev
|
Start
|
Gain
|
Access
|
Expo
|
Aval
|
Route
|
Notes
|
Pilchuck
|
5,340
|
3,160
|
2,200
|
Mt Loop Hwy
|
B
|
C
|
trail
|
Cut switchback on rd 4250 at 2600'.
|
Gordon (Anaconda)
|
5,050
|
1,320
|
3,700
|
Rd 4036
|
B
|
A
|
S ridge
|
|
Bald (Silverton)
|
4,795
|
1,575
|
3,200
|
Deer Cr
|
C
|
B
|
E ridge
|
Roped climb. Ski to Deer Cr Pass, or long snowshoe
|
Long
|
5,110
|
1,420
|
3,700
|
Mt Loop Hwy
|
C
|
C
|
Marten Creek
|
Very steep final section map
|
Marble
|
5,111
|
1,480
|
3,600
|
Mt Loop Hwy
|
B
|
B
|
NW ridge
|
Must ford Stillaguamish R.
|
Dickerman
|
5,723
|
1,940
|
3,800
|
Mt Loop Hwy
|
A
|
B
|
trail
|
Road often closed at Deer Cr
|
Highway 2 (Stevens Pass highway)
West to East
Summit
|
Elev
|
Start
|
Gain
|
Access
|
Expo
|
Aval
|
Route
|
Notes
|
Stickney
|
5,367
|
1,679
|
3,700
|
|
C
|
B
|
Olney Creek
|
|
Persis
|
5,464
|
2,480
|
3,000
|
Rd 62
|
B
|
B
|
NW ridge
|
Road must be open to 1623' junction. Park at "swamp".
|
Philadelphia
|
4,258
|
600
|
3,700
|
Lake Serene
|
A
|
B
|
W ridge
|
Boulder field above lake -- better with lots of snow.
|
Frog
|
4,872
|
2,589
|
2,300
|
Jack Pass
|
A
|
B
|
W ridge
|
map
|
Mineral Butte
|
5,255
|
1,040
|
4,200
|
N Fk Skykomish (Galena)
|
B
|
B
|
S
|
Can ski road to near top.
|
Iron (Skykomish)
|
5,245
|
840
|
4,400
|
N Fk Skykomish
|
B
|
B
|
SE ridge
|
Combine with Conglomerate Pt.
|
Conglomerate Point
|
5,375
|
840
|
4,500
|
N Fk Skykomish
|
B
|
B
|
NW ridge
|
|
Baring
|
6,221
|
2,260
|
4,000
|
Barclay Cr
|
C
|
C
|
NW ridge
|
Avalanche trap in 5000' gully. . Also route from road 6028.
|
Palmer
|
5,043
|
900
|
4,100
|
S Fk Skykomish
|
B
|
B
|
SE
|
May have to walk bermed road.
|
Cleveland
|
5,301
|
1,200
|
4,100
|
Money Cr
|
B
|
B
|
N ridge/Money Cr
|
Try Miller R route.
|
Eagle Rock
|
5,615
|
2,800
|
2,800
|
Eagle Cr
|
B
|
B
|
SW slope
|
Snow level usually much lower than 2800'.
|
Evergreen
|
5,587
|
1,600
|
4,000
|
Rapid River
|
B
|
A/B
|
Rapid R
|
Beckler R road must be open to Rapid R road. map
|
Captain Point
|
5,724
|
3,000
|
2,700
|
Martin Cr road
|
A
|
B
|
Kelley Cr or road
|
Logged to near summit. Kelley Cr good route if drivable to 3000'.
|
Windy
|
5,386
|
2,200
|
3,200
|
Scenic
|
B
|
B
|
S slope
|
map
|
Tunnel Vision
|
6,242
|
2,700
|
3,500
|
Hwy 2
|
B
|
C
|
via Pt 5567
|
Parking problem - may have to drop off from Scenic.
|
Cowboy
|
5,853
|
4,061
|
1,800
|
Stevens Pass
|
B
|
B
|
NE ridge
|
Not good during ski season.
|
Big Chief
|
5,858
|
4,061
|
1,800
|
Stevens Pass
|
B
|
B
|
SW ridge
|
Not good during ski season.
|
EAST OF STEVENS PASS (4061')
|
McCausland
|
5,747
|
3,200
|
2,500
|
Smithbrook Rd
|
B
|
B
|
SE ridge
|
See Union Pk.
|
Lichtenberg
|
5,844
|
3,200
|
2,600
|
Smithbrook Rd
|
B
|
B
|
Lichtenwasser L
|
|
Union
|
5,696
|
3,200
|
2,500
|
Smithbrook Rd
|
A
|
A
|
S slope from Union Gap
|
|
Jove
|
6,007
|
3,200
|
2,800
|
Smithbrook Rd
|
A
|
A
|
SW ridge
|
|
Jim Hill
|
6,765
|
3,000
|
3,800
|
Nordic Center
|
C
|
C
|
Lanham
|
|
Rock
|
6,840
|
2,732
|
4,100
|
Maintenance Station
|
A
|
B
|
trail
|
|
Arrowhead
|
6,030
|
2,732
|
3,300
|
Maintenance Station
|
A
|
A
|
E ridge
|
RR track walk is dangerous!
|
Natapoc
|
4,204
|
1,958
|
2,200
|
Coles Corner
|
A
|
A
|
you pick
|
59er Diner!
|
Tumwater
|
4,480
|
1,440
|
3,000
|
Ski Hill
|
A
|
A
|
E slopes
|
Leavenworth area
|
I-90 (Snoqualmie Pass freeway)
West to East
Summit
|
Elev
|
Start
|
Gain
|
Access
|
Expo
|
Aval
|
Route
|
Notes
|
Si
|
3,940
|
660
|
3,300
|
Mt Si road
|
A
|
A
|
trail route
|
Trail can be very icy. Often has little snow. Increase to "C" exposure for true summit.
|
Teneriffe
|
4,788
|
950
|
3,800
|
Mt Si Rd
|
A
|
A
|
NW ridge
|
|
Green
|
4,824
|
1,272
|
3,600
|
Mt Si road
|
B
|
A
|
CCC/SE ridge
|
|
Mailbox
|
4,841
|
1,000
|
3,800
|
Mid Fk Snoqualmie
|
A
|
B
|
trail route
|
|
Washington
|
4,420
|
1,080
|
3,300
|
Exit 38
|
A
|
B
|
N ridge
|
Matt Robertson knows the route
|
Web
|
5,335
|
1,300
|
4,000
|
Exit 38
|
B
|
B
|
E ridge
|
Ridge is exposed. Alternate route avalanche potential. map
|
Kent
|
5,087
|
1,448
|
3,600
|
Exit 42
|
B
|
C
|
McClellens Butte trail
|
|
Bandera
|
5,241
|
1,520
|
3,700
|
Exit 42
|
B
|
B
|
W ridge
|
|
Defiance
|
5,584
|
1,520
|
4,100
|
Exit 42
|
B
|
B
|
trail route
|
via Mason Lake
|
Pratt
|
5,099
|
1,880
|
3,200
|
Exit 47
|
A
|
B
|
via Ollalie Lake
|
|
Granite
|
5,629
|
1,920
|
3,700
|
Exit 47
|
B
|
C
|
trail route
|
|
Granite
|
5,629
|
2,200
|
3,400
|
Exit 47
|
B
|
C
|
Denny Cr/NNE ridge
|
Excellent ridge route map
|
Humpback
|
5,174
|
1,880
|
3,300
|
Exit 47
|
A
|
A
|
NW ridge
|
Trail cut along ridge from 3250'.
|
Silver
|
5,605
|
1,880
|
3,700
|
Exit 47
|
B
|
B
|
N ridge
|
map
|
Snoqualmie
|
6,278
|
3,000
|
3,300
|
Exit 52 or Alpental
|
B
|
B
|
Commonwealth Basin or Cave Ridge
|
|
Kendall
|
5,784
|
3,000
|
2,800
|
Exit 52
|
B
|
C
|
PCT
|
|
Guye Peak
|
5,168
|
3,000
|
2,200
|
Exit 52
|
B
|
B
|
Commonwealth Basin
|
North summit. map
|
Hyak
|
3,745
|
2,600
|
1,100
|
Hyak
|
A
|
B
|
Ski slope
|
Not good in ski season.
|
Catherine
|
5,052
|
2,600
|
2,500
|
Hyak
|
B
|
A
|
W ridge from Hyak
|
Not good in ski season.
|
Rockdale Ridge
|
4,440
|
2,600
|
1,800
|
Hyak
|
A
|
A
|
S ridge
|
Not good in ski season.
|
Margaret
|
5,560
|
2,560
|
3,000
|
Gold Cr Snopark
|
B
|
B
|
S ridge
|
Snowmobiles on first part of route.
|
EAST OF SNOQUALMIE PASS (3000')
|
Baldy
|
5,107
|
2,237
|
2,900
|
Lake Kachess
|
A
|
A
|
trail
|
|
Thomas
|
5,269
|
2,237
|
3,000
|
Lake Kachess
|
A
|
A
|
trail
|
|
Amabilis
|
4,500
|
2,460
|
2,000
|
Exit 63 snopark
|
A
|
A
|
logging roads
|
Snowmobile area. SnoPark permit. Very popular location.
|
Hex
|
5,034
|
2,400
|
2,600
|
Cle Elum River Rd
|
A
|
A
|
road/trail
|
|
Jolly
|
6,443
|
2,320
|
4,100
|
Cle Elum River Rd
|
B
|
B
|
road/trail
|
|
Yellow Hill
|
5,527
|
2,640
|
2,900
|
Middle fork Teanaway
|
A
|
A
|
trail
|
|
Teanaway Butte
|
4,769
|
2,560
|
2,200
|
Middle fork Teanaway
|
A
|
A
|
road
|
|
Mt Rainier Area (and South Cascades)
Summit
|
Elev
|
Start
|
Gain
|
Access
|
Expo
|
Aval
|
Route
|
Notes
|
Mutton
|
6,156
|
2,800
|
3,400
|
Hwy 410
|
A
|
A
|
trail
|
|
Tirzah
|
5,208
|
2,160
|
3,000
|
Carbon R
|
B
|
A
|
W ridge
|
Ford Carbon R.
|
Arthur
|
5,465
|
2,100
|
3,400
|
Carbon R
|
B
|
B
|
|
|
Norse
|
6,856
|
4,280
|
2,600
|
Crystal Mt ski area
|
|
|
Bullion Basin trail
|
not surveyed
|
Crown Point
|
6,460
|
4,280
|
2,200
|
Crystal Mt ski area
|
B
|
B
|
|
|
Chutla
|
6,000
|
2,757
|
3,200
|
Longmire
|
B
|
B
|
|
|
Plummer
|
6,370
|
4,560
|
1,800
|
Narada Falls
|
B
|
B
|
|
|
St Helens
|
8,365
|
2,873
|
5,500
|
|
B
|
B
|
Monitor Ridge
|
|
Camp Muir
|
10,100
|
5,360
|
4,700
|
Paradise
|
A
|
B
|
|
Not really a summit. Careful not to wander onto glacier in fog!
|
Olympics
Summit
|
Elev
|
Start
|
Gain
|
Access
|
Expo
|
Aval
|
Route
|
Notes
|
Angeles
|
6,454
|
4,400
|
2,100
|
Hurricane Ridge road
|
B
|
B
|
Switchback trail
|
|
Steeple Rock
|
5,567
|
5,240
|
1,000
|
Obstruction Point road
|
C
|
B
|
road
|
ups and downs
|
Hurricane Hill
|
5,757
|
5,240
|
1,000
|
Hurricane Ridge
|
B
|
B
|
trail
|
ups and downs
|
Blue
|
6,007
|
2,000
|
4,000
|
road
|
A
|
B
|
road
|
approximate starting elevation, depends on snow conditions
|
Ellinor
|
5,944
|
2,000
|
3,900
|
trail
|
B
|
B
|
trail
|
approximate starting elevation, depends on snow conditions
|
Maps
Evergreen
Frog
GraniteDenny
Guye
Long
Silver
Round
Web
Windy
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