| Big Snow Mountain Mountain/Rock |
Contribute  Loading... Children Loading...
Geography
| Big Snow Mountain   | 
| Page Type: Mountain/Rock Location: Washington, United States, North America Lat/Lon: 47.53528°N / 121.3658°W Activities: Trad Climbing, Mixed, Scrambling Season: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter Elevation: 6680 ft / 2036 m | Page By: tazz Created/Edited: Aug 17, 2006 / Aug 26, 2006 Object ID: 216509 Hits: 2563 Loading... Page Score: 91.36% - 38 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
OverviewThis page is dedicated to a fellow SP member Ed Miller who died in a fall on the south route of Formidable August 7th 2006. (See trip report)
Big Snow Mountain is located in the beautiful Alpine Lakes wilderness. It is a big mountain with notable height. It is surrounded by beautiful lakes and tarns. Summit views of surrounding peaks like Summit Chief, Lemah, Daniel, Overcoat and more are spectacular! The North Slope is made up of beautiful glacial scoured granite slab and rock. The slab holds pockets of snow late into the season. Small and large tarns sprinkle the whole north slope. The East face is steep walls that drop down into Lower Hardscrabble Lake. It cannot be seen from any road in the area. It is quite remote and sits alone. It is a fairly popular scramble (for those who know the area and peak baggers) but not as popular as the nearby I-90 peaks.
Possible first accent By a group of Mountaineers July 20, 1917 *
Overview of RoutesThere are several approaches and routes up this peak. We climbed the East ridge route.
East ridge: 8 miles rt 4000+' gain class 2 scramble and some route finding. Approach starts .5 miles short of the end of Middle fork road ** and ascends to hardscrabble lake. From there head E and ascend climbers path to Upper Hardscrabble Lake. Staying on path ascend through forest keeping near the inlet to the lake. If one goes to far to the left you run into cliff bands. Then the climb begins up a gully to a col. From there drop down onto the open granite slab of the North slope. Follow the E ridge to the summit.
**NOTE: This route will be 7 miles longer because of access change after this season. SEE BELOW.
North slope or Myrtle lake route: 12-13 miles rt elev. gain 5280' class 2-3. Route finding. Approach from Dingford creek trail to Myrtle lake. Ascend to Big Snow Lake. Traverse right around Snowflake lake. Then ascend to the summit.Thsi route will be the more poular route when the gate is closed at Dingford
*East buttress: Grade III class 5.7 first accent by Don Williamson and Jeff Dial May 11, 1971
*South ridge: ascend from Middle Fork Snoqualmie River road Route finding and bushwhack.
*Southwest ridge: ascend from Hester Lake trail. Route finding and bushwhack.
Topo map
Getting ThereFrom Seattle. Take I-90 to exit 34 to North bend. Take 468th ave. for about .6 mile. Turn right on Middle Fork road. at about 1 mile stay to the right at a fork. continue for another 1.5 or so till the road turns to dirt. This is FS RD 56 drive about 10 miles cross a bridge and take a right. You will go about 6.5 miles till you come to a gate (still open) This is Dingford TH and gate. From here the road gets rough. Did I say rough? I meant very rough! You should have a high clearance vehicle to proceed to the TH. Drive or crawl 7 miles to a perking area on the right just .5 mile from the roads end at Dutch Miller TH.
NOTE: This fall the road will be gated at Dingford Creek. This will add 14 miles rt for NE ridge route, South ridge route, and East buttress route. I will update the page when the gate closesCampingAs of now one can climb Big Snow via NE ridge in a day but for those who do certain routes after this season (Due to road closure) might want to do an overnight-er. North slope can also be done in a long day. Camping is great at any of the lakes. Just keep in mind the impact you are making while camping. A campground is located at the beginning of Middle fork river road.
Red tapeThere is no NW forest pass required at this THWhen to climbNormally climbed late spring to fall. Winter accents are possible with access being good for winter. North Slope route would make for a good ski run. One must be mindful of avalanche conditions and hazards if climbing during winter.
Maps, links& weatherUSGS Big Snow Mountain & Green Trails #175 Skykomish Wa
MattandMarenTR
Gurain TR
NOAA weather*resources: Cascade Alpine Guide 1. Columbia River to Stevens Pass.Fred Beckey
Climbing Washingtons Mountains Jeff Smoot Images
|
|
