Hiked up from E Bank TH with a friend. 45+ miles in four days.
distressbark - Aug 23, 2015 9:56 pm Date Climbed: Aug 22, 2015
Hozomeen Approach
Took the trail from Ross Lake past the junction with the Hozomeen Lake trail. Spent the next 3+ hours bushwhacking through downfall and brush up to Point 5967. Followed a faint booth path towards Desolation, and gained the summit ridge through a break in the north face cliffs. Intense smoke from nearby wildfires greatly obscured our view. More or less retraced our steps on the way down. 13 hours round-trip. A very long day, 10 hours or so spent in the trees. A bit disorienting at times!
quorralux - Aug 9, 2015 1:43 pm Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2015
Second Time's the Charm!
Tried to hike up to the fire lookout a couple of years ago from Hozomeen but couldn't quite swing the full distance. This year we canoed in and stayed at Cat Island. Took our time and did Desolation as a day hike. Fantastic views up there, I can see why this trail is so popular!
SummitQueen - Sep 11, 2010 4:52 am Date Climbed: Jul 5, 2010
Did it twice this summer
Did it twice this summer with my students from North Cascades Wild. Wonderful - a great mix between elevation gain, views all around, and lots to learn from the fire lookout, Daniel, up there!
gimpilator - Jun 13, 2010 11:07 pm Date Climbed: Jun 12, 2010
A Great Opener For Summer
The boat approach made this a unique hike. This peak might have the most scenic trail head I have ever seen. Also, I enjoyed the company of the group so much that I think it was my favorite part of the trip.
Dundeel - Jun 13, 2010 10:35 pm Date Climbed: Jun 12, 2010
Far from Desolate
Excellent views, weather, companions. WA P3k 17/52
Redwic - Jun 13, 2010 10:08 pm Date Climbed: Jun 12, 2010
Unbelievably Awesome Trip!
As far as one-day trips go, I could not have envisioned or asked for anything much better than our experience...
The first awesome warm weather day of Spring, team-operated boat rides, trail walking, snowy ridge, a fire lookout, the most fantastic far-ranging views I have ever seen from one location in the North Cascades, and absolutely wonderful hiking/boating partners to share the experience with. One of the best experiences I have ever had in the Washington Cascades. Period.
Two of us then summited Mount Baring the following day, making the weekend have approximately 10,000' total elevation gain. Woohoo!
ericnoel - Jun 13, 2010 2:45 pm Date Climbed: Jun 12, 2010
Desolation
Best hike of the year, so far...
jtellis - Dec 31, 2009 12:15 pm Date Climbed: Jun 16, 2003
complete solitude
This is one of my all-time favorite hikes. I went up alone, and as it was still fairly early in summer, the lookout cabin was locked up. There was no one out hiking, no boats on Ross Lake, hardly anyone even at the floating cabins. With the exception of the flies, it was total solitude and silence at the peak...a really great memory.
ericwillhite - Sep 3, 2009 4:24 am Date Climbed: Jul 1, 1993
A beautiful mountain with wonderful views...Hozomeen to the north, Ross Lake to the west, Jack Mountain to the south...
I accessed the mountain via water taxi ($110), thereby shaving off a considerable amount of hiking. Still, the hike gained 4800 feet in 4 miles lake to summit. Worth every ounce of effort.
rtgomez90 - Jul 13, 2017 11:56 pm Date Climbed: Jul 12, 2017
High mileage peakHiked up from E Bank TH with a friend. 45+ miles in four days.
distressbark - Aug 23, 2015 9:56 pm Date Climbed: Aug 22, 2015
Hozomeen ApproachTook the trail from Ross Lake past the junction with the Hozomeen Lake trail. Spent the next 3+ hours bushwhacking through downfall and brush up to Point 5967. Followed a faint booth path towards Desolation, and gained the summit ridge through a break in the north face cliffs. Intense smoke from nearby wildfires greatly obscured our view. More or less retraced our steps on the way down. 13 hours round-trip. A very long day, 10 hours or so spent in the trees. A bit disorienting at times!
quorralux - Aug 9, 2015 1:43 pm Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2015
Second Time's the Charm!Tried to hike up to the fire lookout a couple of years ago from Hozomeen but couldn't quite swing the full distance. This year we canoed in and stayed at Cat Island. Took our time and did Desolation as a day hike. Fantastic views up there, I can see why this trail is so popular!
SummitQueen - Sep 11, 2010 4:52 am Date Climbed: Jul 5, 2010
Did it twice this summerDid it twice this summer with my students from North Cascades Wild. Wonderful - a great mix between elevation gain, views all around, and lots to learn from the fire lookout, Daniel, up there!
gimpilator - Jun 13, 2010 11:07 pm Date Climbed: Jun 12, 2010
A Great Opener For SummerThe boat approach made this a unique hike. This peak might have the most scenic trail head I have ever seen. Also, I enjoyed the company of the group so much that I think it was my favorite part of the trip.
Dundeel - Jun 13, 2010 10:35 pm Date Climbed: Jun 12, 2010
Far from DesolateExcellent views, weather, companions. WA P3k 17/52
Redwic - Jun 13, 2010 10:08 pm Date Climbed: Jun 12, 2010
Unbelievably Awesome Trip!As far as one-day trips go, I could not have envisioned or asked for anything much better than our experience...
The first awesome warm weather day of Spring, team-operated boat rides, trail walking, snowy ridge, a fire lookout, the most fantastic far-ranging views I have ever seen from one location in the North Cascades, and absolutely wonderful hiking/boating partners to share the experience with. One of the best experiences I have ever had in the Washington Cascades. Period.
Two of us then summited Mount Baring the following day, making the weekend have approximately 10,000' total elevation gain. Woohoo!
ericnoel - Jun 13, 2010 2:45 pm Date Climbed: Jun 12, 2010
DesolationBest hike of the year, so far...
jtellis - Dec 31, 2009 12:15 pm Date Climbed: Jun 16, 2003
complete solitudeThis is one of my all-time favorite hikes. I went up alone, and as it was still fairly early in summer, the lookout cabin was locked up. There was no one out hiking, no boats on Ross Lake, hardly anyone even at the floating cabins. With the exception of the flies, it was total solitude and silence at the peak...a really great memory.
ericwillhite - Sep 3, 2009 4:24 am Date Climbed: Jul 1, 1993
TwiceDid the first time as a boy scout on a canoe trip on Ross Lake. Did the second time as a troop leader with my troop during a canoe outing. Maps and pics at http://www.willhiteweb.com/washington_climbing/desolation_peak/ross_lake_034.htm
setrent - Dec 23, 2005 12:49 am
Route Climbed: Trail Date Climbed: 20 September, 2004Kayaked in from the north end of the lake. The lookout was already locked up, but we were rewarded with excellent views of the Hozomeen Peaks.
cp0915 - Feb 18, 2004 9:58 am
Route Climbed: Date Climbed: Aug 2001A beautiful mountain with wonderful views...Hozomeen to the north, Ross Lake to the west, Jack Mountain to the south...
I accessed the mountain via water taxi ($110), thereby shaving off a considerable amount of hiking. Still, the hike gained 4800 feet in 4 miles lake to summit. Worth every ounce of effort.