Kyes peak is the highest summit in the Monte Cristo range and a beautifull area. On a clear day the views are hard to beat as you are basically in the center of the cascade range and can see from Mt. Baker to Mt. Adams and Glacier peak dominating to the east. And as a bonus while climbing the south ridge you have the stunning blue green blanca lake. It's a long 1 day affair and probably the reason that few people climb it. There is a register on the summit and has been there since 1997. There is some bushwhacking involved with some exposure at times. The summit block is a class 2 scramble on a slab with ledges to traverse .

Getting There

From US 2 and the index cafe turn North on the N fork skykommish river road on a well paved rd. At about 15.7 miles and right after the road turns to gravel take a left on rd #63 (unmarked). Take this about 2 miles to the blanca lake trailhead and 1900 feet. From here the trail is well maintained and switchbacks constantly gaining elevation to 4,600. Here you come to virgin lake and where you should load up on water for the long ridge climb ahead. Just past the lake look for a small tree with a blaze cut into it and the start of the south ridge climbers path. This is easy to follow at first but eventually fades in and out. But basically follow the ridge crest untill you come midway up the ridge and the first obstacle which is a rocky point and labeled point 5,800 on the map. Drop down to the left and traverse under the cliff bands and come around to a deep notch. Again drop down and around on the left where you break out onto the snowfield. When on the snowfield traverse up and towards the false summit and find a snow finger to go through cliff bands. Pass the false summit off to your left and climb towards the summit block. Scramble (class 2) up the SW side of this on slabs and ledges to the summit.