Climbing Snowking Mountain, Cyclone Lake | Glacier Peak Wilderness

Описание: Glacier Peak Wilderness was on full display for us this late August weekend for our climb up Snowking Mountain! We spent the night just above Cyclone Lake and scrambled up to the summit in the morning.

Do not be fooled, this is a very strenuous hike. Altogether, we climbed over 8000' in 18 miles. Our pace was slow and steady, the lack of switchbacks and maintained trail required about 45 minutes for each mile covered.

The trail is not difficult to find. Park where the road splits, and head up an abandoned road for about three miles. This is more of a bushwhack, and at 1.5 miles you will reach a sketchy fallen bridge where all that's left is a 2' log with rebar sticking out of it ever few feet.

When you reach a firepit, head straight uphill for the next 3000'. This part is a grind, knee to chest, like the extended cut of Mailbox Peak. At 4800', there's a small break in a flat clearing, which we dubbed the Burrito Log, where we caught our breath before heading up another 1000'. Finally at 5800', the views open up and we remembered why we were doing this in the first place.

We set up camp above Cyclone Lake. There were about 8 other groups in the area, but I think we had selected the best spot. Huckleberries were plentiful. Plan your water carefully, once you leave the car there was no water until we reached the lake, about 7 miles later. We nearly drained the last drop of our 3.5 liters each.

The climb from the lake to the summit of Snowking was snow-free this time of year. Climb steeply out of the lake basin to a small peak, then descend quickly only to reascend up to the ridge. Once you are on the ridge, the route is right in front of you. To reach the final summit block, we went up and around the backside, which is hidden from view during the start of the climb. There was never anything more than class two, I think our dog could have made it.