Tucquala to Trico traverse

If I were to do this trip again, I would change two things. Instead of doing it in 1.5 days, I would do it in three days with a relaxed first and last day and camp at Sprite Lake and Robin Lake. I would also change one part of the route. When going from Sherpani to the upper French Pothole, I would go on the west side of point 6520 instead of the east side. Our route on the east side involved some unpleasant side-hilling above cliffs.

  • Date:
    2015/07/07 to 2015/07/08
    Car-to-car:
    2 days
    Trip type:
    scramble
    USGS quad:
    The Cradle
    In:
    Cle Elum River Area

    • Day 1

  • Hiking up the North Scatter Creek Trail.
    Hiking up the North Scatter Creek Trail.
  • Walking up Tucquala Pk's SE ridge.
    Walking up Tucquala Pk's SE ridge.
  • On the summit of Tucquala Peak. The Cradle and Nursery Peak in the background.
    On the summit of Tucquala Peak. The Cradle and Nursery Peak in the background.
  • Looking at the traverse to Paddy-Go-South from the south side of Tucquala Pk.
    Looking at the traverse to Paddy-Go-South from the south side of Tucquala Pk.
  • Paddy-Go-South from the 6,600' saddle.
    Paddy-Go-South from the 6,600' saddle.
  • Descending the talus field on the NW slopes below the 6,600' saddle.
    Descending the talus field on the NW slopes below the 6,600' saddle.
  • Tucquala Peak in the back left.
    Tucquala Peak in the back left.
  • Ascending Paddy-Go-South's north slope. Sprite Lake below.
    Ascending Paddy-Go-South's north slope. Sprite Lake below.
  • On the summit of Paddy-Go-South. Tucquala Peak in the background.
    On the summit of Paddy-Go-South. Tucquala Peak in the background.
  • Looking west at Mount Daniel and the Snoqualmie Range through the smoke haze.
    Looking west at Mount Daniel and the Snoqualmie Range through the smoke haze.
  • Looking NW to tomorrow's route along the ridge.
    Looking NW to tomorrow's route along the ridge.
  • Looking NE at Sprite Lake and The Cradle.
    Looking NE at Sprite Lake and The Cradle.
  • Sprite Lake
    Sprite Lake
  • Our camp near the Sprite Lake outlet.
    Our camp near the Sprite Lake outlet.

    • Day 2

  • Hiking toward Paddy-Go-North.
    Hiking toward Paddy-Go-North.
  • On the summit of Paddy-Go-North, with Sherpani Peak in the background. Our route up Paddy-Go-North's NE ridge involved a very short section of high class 3.
    On the summit of Paddy-Go-North, with Sherpani Peak in the background. Our route up Paddy-Go-North's NE ridge involved a very short section of high class 3.
  • Traversing the north side of Paddy-Go-North's NW ridge. Our next destination, Sherpani Peak, on the horizon.
    Traversing the north side of Paddy-Go-North's NW ridge. Our next destination, Sherpani Peak, on the horizon.
  • Sherpani Peak
    Sherpani Peak
  • Looking at South Granite Mountain from Sherpani's east ridge.
    Looking at South Granite Mountain from Sherpani's east ridge.
  • On the summit of Sherpani Peak, with a cloud flying insects.
    On the summit of Sherpani Peak, with a cloud flying insects.
  • A boulder tunnel near the top of Sherpani.
    A boulder tunnel near the top of Sherpani.
  • Upper French Pothole.
    Upper French Pothole.
  • Upper French Pothole, Sherpani Peak and point 6,520.
    Upper French Pothole, Sherpani Peak and point 6,520.
  • Ascending South Granite Mtn's SW ridge with Sherpani Peak in the background.
    Ascending South Granite Mtn's SW ridge with Sherpani Peak in the background.
  • A granite bird!
    A granite bird!
  • Dense fir near the summit of South Granite Mtn.
    Dense fir near the summit of South Granite Mtn.
  • Granite Mountain from South Granite Mtn's NW slopes.
    Granite Mountain from South Granite Mtn's NW slopes.
  • The summit of South Granite Mountain
    The summit of South Granite Mountain
  • A lake between Granite Mtn and South Granite Mtn. The Citadel and Mount Daniel on the horizon.
    A lake between Granite Mtn and South Granite Mtn. The Citadel and Mount Daniel on the horizon.
  • South Granite Mountain
    South Granite Mountain
  • The summit of Granite Mountain.
    The summit of Granite Mountain.
  • Robin Lake and Trico Mountain.
    Robin Lake and Trico Mountain.
  • Trico Mountain
    Trico Mountain
  • Granite Mtn Potholes.
    Granite Mtn Potholes.
  • Mount Daniel
    Mount Daniel
  • The east and west peaks of French Ridge from Trico Mtn.
    The east and west peaks of French Ridge from Trico Mtn.
  • Taking a break on Trico Mountain. Cathedral Peak in the distance.
    Taking a break on Trico Mountain. Cathedral Peak in the distance.
  • A meadow near Robin Lake.
    A meadow near Robin Lake.
  • Slabs below Robin Lake.
    Slabs below Robin Lake.
  • Hiking to the Deception Pass Trailhead, where we stashed a bike.
    Hiking to the Deception Pass Trailhead, where we stashed a bike.
    • Copyright © 2024 Gabriel Deal.