Start from the Esmerelda Basin Trailhead. To get here, drive I-90 past Cle Elum to exit 85. Go east on Highway 970 to Teanaway Road and drive 13 miles to a fork. Take the right fork (Road #9737) until it ends at the trailhead (approx. 9 miles,)

Follow trail 1394 for a short distance to the junction with the Ingalls Lake Trail (#1390). At the intersection with the Long's Pass Trail, ascend tthe trail to Long's Pass (6300'.) From here, descend the zipper-like switchbacks to a basin at 4800' (some good campsites here.)

From the basin, continue descending to Ingall's Creek. After meeting up with the Ingall's Creek Trail, turn right and hike down the valley for about 1/2 mile to a clearing, and the beginning of the Cascade Couloir ascent.

Route Description

This is commonly known as the "descent route" for most of the technical routes on Stuart, but a great ascent nonetheless for reaching some of the best vistas in the Cascades! This route is completely non-technical, but requires a bit of "class 3" scrambling along the summit ridge. Some snow up high may require the use of ice axe & crampons.

From the clearing on the Ingall's Creek trail (1/2 mile down valley from long's pass cutoff), head up through a boulder field towards the obvious Couloir. Ascend the straightforward Couloir, which opens up to talus slopes. Head for the snow field below the false summit. Ascend the snowfield (or skirt it to the left)

Essential Gear

No specialized climbing gear required. An ice axe may come in handy for the high snowfields. A helmet wouldn't be a bad idea either, due to possible rockfall in the couloir.

Miscellaneous Info

If you have information about this route that doesn't pertain to any of the other sections, please add it here.

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