Razorback Mountain

This was a surprisingly pleasant trip in the lower elevations, and beautiful at the higher elevations. There were only a few difficulties. A fifty-foot sections of steep, narrow ridge around 5,200 was a challenge. And driving back to the Cascade River Road was also difficult -- due to the locked gate!

It was over 5,000' of gain just to get to the sub-summit. Razorback would be a burly day trip in the winter, but I would be happy to go back in the spring!

  • Date:
    2013/01/11
    Elevation gain:
    5,133 feet
    Trip type:
    scramble
    Car-to-car:
    10 hours 47 minutes
    • 5 hours 59 minutes ascending from Cascade River Park to the NW summit of Razorback
    • 3 hours 39 minutes descending from the NW summit of Razorback to Cascade River Park

    • Day 1

  • This is NOT where we should have parked. We parked in the Cascade River Park community, and paid for it by getting locked in behind their gate. Instead we should have parked outside the gate here: http://tinyurl.com/9wao3tx
    This is NOT where we should have parked. We parked in the Cascade River Park community, and paid for it by getting locked in behind their gate. Instead we should have parked outside the gate here: http://tinyurl.com/9wao3tx
  • The worst brush of the trip (not very brushy) at 1,000' on the NW ridge of Razorback.
    The worst brush of the trip (not very brushy) at 1,000' on the NW ridge of Razorback.
  • Helen Buttes from a clear cut around 1,200'.
    Helen Buttes from a clear cut around 1,200'.
  • Most of Razorback's NW ridge was surprisingly brush-free.
    Most of Razorback's NW ridge was surprisingly brush-free.
  • Our first direct sunlight.
    Our first direct sunlight.
  • The south slopes of Little Devil Peak.
    The south slopes of Little Devil Peak.
  • The crux of the route was this narrow section of the ridge around 5,200'. Yana valiantly plowed a wallow-path up it.
    The crux of the route was this narrow section of the ridge around 5,200'. Yana valiantly plowed a wallow-path up it.
  • Eldorado Peak
    Eldorado Peak
  • Johannesburg Mountain
    Johannesburg Mountain
  • Mount Baker
    Mount Baker
  • On the north summit of Razorback Mountain.
    On the north summit of Razorback Mountain.
  • We saw so many sun halos.
    We saw so many sun halos.
  • Mount Tommy Thompson and Boulder Peak.
    Mount Tommy Thompson and Boulder Peak.
  • The true summit of Razorback Mountain.
    The true summit of Razorback Mountain.
  • Point 6469, on the NE ridge of Whale Peak.
    Point 6469, on the NE ridge of Whale Peak.
  • Subalpine Firs
    Subalpine Firs
  • A rare sighting of the four-armed climber.
    A rare sighting of the four-armed climber.
  • We spent over an hour on the sub-summit before heading back.
    We spent over an hour on the sub-summit before heading back.
  • Eldorado Peak
    Eldorado Peak
  • Eldorado Peak
    Eldorado Peak
  • Little Devil Peak
    Little Devil Peak
  • Lookout Mountain and Big Devil Peak.
    Lookout Mountain and Big Devil Peak.
  • Goodbye, sunlight.
    Goodbye, sunlight.
  • Mount Baker.
    Mount Baker.
  • Jordan Peak. It is half an hour after sunset and we have 3,500' vertical feet between us and the car.
    Jordan Peak. It is half an hour after sunset and we have 3,500' vertical feet between us and the car.
  • The bridge over Boulder Creek.
    The bridge over Boulder Creek.

    • Day 8

  • When we tried to drive back to the Cascade River Road, we discovered that the gate we had driven through in the morning was locked. Fortunately the caretaker was forgiving and friendly and unlocked the gate for us.
    When we tried to drive back to the Cascade River Road, we discovered that the gate we had driven through in the morning was locked. Fortunately the caretaker was forgiving and friendly and unlocked the gate for us.
    • Copyright © 2024 Gabriel Deal.