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| Nimbus Peak   | 
| Page Type: Mountain/Rock Location: Washington, United States, North America Lat/Lon: 47.66261°N / 121.12255°W Activities: Trad Climbing, Scrambling | Page By: tazz Created/Edited: Oct 27, 2006 / Oct 27, 2006 Object ID: 238909 Hits: 1031 Loading... Page Score: 90.37% - 27 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
Nimbus PeakA nimbus cloud is a dark precipituous cloud. Nimbus is a Latin word meaning cloud or rain storm. The prefix nimbo- or the suffix -nimbus indicates a precipituous cloud; for example, a nimbostratus cloud is a precipituous stratus cloud, and a cumulonimbus cloud is a precipitous cumulus cloud. (wikipedia)
Quite fitting name, as Nimbus sits close to Thunder Mountain.
Nimbus peak is a small, fun little scramble. The summit is actually a large 15x30' boulder(“Fin”) that is a class five climb with much exposure. It is located in the Thunder mountain lakes area. On the South end of the ridge from Slippery slab. The views are great from the top! Most folks hit this peak when headed over to Thunder mountain and Thor.
Route overviewSouth ridge is the easiest way up Nimbus. Class 2 till the summit block. Then the fin is class 5 climb with exposure.
The North East face looks like it would have some fun class 5 lines on it. getting thereTake rt 2 from Seattle to the hairpin turn (about 5 miles west of Stevens pass) Turn right onto FSR # 6095. Drive about 1.5 miles on good dirt road to a road spur on the left. Pull in and park.
From leavenworth Take rt 2 about 5 miles past Stevens pass at the hairpin turn one must pass the FSR (on the left) and pull a U turn to get to the other side of the barrier in the middle of the road. Drive back up 2 and take a right onto FSR #6095
approachs Tunnel Creek trail to PCT trail.
Take the Tunnel Creek trail (trail # 1061) for 1.6 miles. The trail ends at Hope lake. From Hope Lake head South on the PCT trail. You hike up switchbacks for about .5+ miles to a saddle and then it levels out a bit. One you cross the ridge you start to traverse the slope on the south side. You come into a meadow and then the trail basically levels out and traverses for a couple of miles (with great views and meadows) till you start the switchbacks up to trap pass above trap lake.
TH at 3100'
Hope lake at 4400'
Trap pass around 5800'
5.6 miles to Trap pass on easy trail.
Surprise Lake trail. This approach may be a mile shorter but it is an extra 800' or so gain. It also is in the trees for the entire hike. Take Surprise creek trail (#1060) 4 miles to surprise lake. From surprise lake turn left on tr #1060.1 ascend many switchbacks to Trap pass.
TH at 2400'
4.6 miles to Trap pass. RouteFrom trap Pass head South on a well established climbers path that takes you along the ridge. The path is easy to follow. Ascend to around 6200' give or take. This is when you come into the first open meadow just below Slippery Slab Tower. From this point on you are in the open. (Fragile meadows! Please try to stay on trails or rock) The main path dwindles into granite slab and boulders. There are several paths that take you to Thunder pass. They are easy to loose but show up again.
From the base of Slippery Slab traverse your way around the ridge for about 1+ miles only gaining a couple hundred feet. Then you come to the ridge that you must cross to drop down to Thunder lakes. Take the right saddle. This will take you to the base of the South ridge of Nimbus.
Once in the saddle turn right and head north up the south ridge. There is a path that kind of fizzles out once into the rock. You can tell folks have been up there though.
It is class 2 all the way to the summit block then a slight bit of class 3 over some fun boulders. You can climb up to a flat boulder bask in the sun(if it is out) and take in the great views. The summit register is located on this flat boulder under a small cairne. From there you can toss a rope over and climb up the last 15' or so to the top of the “Fin”
Some crazy folks climb up and jump off unroped. A fall would not be pretty! Pictures don't do the exposure around the summit block justice. CampingWhat a great area for an overnighter! Several choices for camping along the entire route.
You can camp at Hope lake or trap lake. Trap lake is incredible and has good views compared to Hope lake.
There are some great spots just past Slippery slab tower with some great views. Water might be an issue late in the season.
Thunder Lakes is the best spot to set up camp though. Incredible views of Stuart range and to the SE. There are some great spots tucked into the granite slabs.
One can also find a good spot up on the ridge and Thunder Pass area. Unless there is snow one would have to drop down to get water from the lakes.
The entire area is full of meadows with fragile plant life. Please be mindful of the fragile meadows and camp/hike on established sites and trails.
Red Tape and links You will need a NW Forest Pass to park at the trailhead.
trip report by Fred Beavon
Gabriel's trip report and site Thanks to.My climb partner for the day, Richard Brayton, for the images. Images
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