I made it up to Gardner via the south route in 3~3.5 hours via the south route from the meadows, but I had gotten up to North Gardner the day before and knew the general gist of the route.
A lot has changed since this page was written: the 2021 Wolf Creek Fire made 3/4 of the approach more sun exposed with blowdowns and burned snags to negotiate. Also, the route isn’t as clear as I was expecting, but it seems that most folks opt for doing this one in the winter/spring/early summer, not late summer/fall according to Peakbagger.com .
relic - Sep 19, 2020 7:27 am Date Climbed: Apr 20, 2020
Ski approach
From a camp in Gardner Meadows. The slope above that camp leads easily to the summit plateau, making for an ideal ski trip. Although the long approach up Wolf Creek detracts from the "ideal" rating a bit, lots of ski carrying to get there.
sempercoug - May 26, 2020 8:26 am Date Climbed: May 24, 2020
First Summit
This was my first peak, we hiked up from the south and bounced between snow and scree. Pretty straight forward. The views were amazing.
huskertriguy - Aug 12, 2019 3:58 pm Date Climbed: Aug 8, 2019
With North Gardner
Full report on North Gardner Page
cascadescrambler - Aug 10, 2019 12:00 pm Date Climbed: Jul 2, 1984
On the way to North Gardner
Part of a weekend scramble of Abernathy, Gardner and North Gardner
kronshage3 - Jun 14, 2019 7:39 pm Date Climbed: Jun 2, 2019
Gardner "Traverse"
Both of these mountains were a piece of work. North Gardner was more enjoyable than its counterpart. The approach in is long, hot, and boring. The valley you approach in is aligned perfectly west to east so the sun literally follows you as you hike up. Good thing there are lots of places to replenish water. Must have gone through at least 5 liters on the approach. The last mile of the approach is very pretty and makes the approach feel more worth it. North Gardner took longer than expect for some reason. It has pretty ice views and the scramble isn't too bad. You can make it harder if you want. The "traverse" was awful. Ended up just descending way down at eventually found a sketchy gully that brought us onto the massive choss/scree slopes on the south facing side of the mountain. It was awful. One step up, two steps down. On the positive side, the way down was really fast and we got back to camp in no time. The hike out was the worst part. It was hot and boring and would not end. Feet were miserable too. Got more on these than expected.
Brian Jenkins - Sep 4, 2017 12:20 am Date Climbed: Sep 2, 2017
finally
Hiked in on a Friday to find I had the meadows to myself. Not sure how on a holiday weekend when this was one of the few places that escaped the wildfire haze. Bugged by deer at camp all night long. Headed up standard route. So tedious. Slidey scree all the way. Traversed over to North Gardner afterwards.
Josh Lewis - May 24, 2016 2:11 pm Date Climbed: Jul 24, 2015
South Side (standard route)
Summited both on day 1 due to weather concerns. Camped and went out by day 2.
Matt Lemke - Jul 26, 2015 2:25 pm Date Climbed: Jul 24, 2015
Both Gardners via the traverse
John, Josh and I hiked up Wolf Creek, set up camp then went straight up the south slopes of Gardner Mountain which was fairly loose in places. The wind was howling since a storm was brewing (the same storm that thwarted us from heading to Mount Waddington). John headed back to the meadow while Josh and I ran the traverse to North Gardner. After quickly nabbing the summit of North, we were being engulfed by clouds and saw it was raining on Silver Star. Luckily it never rained on us but as we hiked back over Point 8,487, it was 50 MPH winds! I was chilly without pants and gloves but we got into the scree basin and it quickly eased up. Reached the tent where John was waiting at 9pm. Hiked out the next day.
seano - Jun 22, 2015 3:03 pm Date Climbed: Jun 17, 2015
Wolf Creek
Introduction to the Cascades for summer 2015. Came up Wolf Creek, which was okay, and part of the E/ESE ridge, which kind of sucked. Trip report.
Mike Lewis - May 25, 2015 7:42 pm Date Climbed: May 21, 2015
nice spring ascent
A beautiful spring ascent with Fletcher Jordan and Heather Anderson. We had climbed North Gardner earlier in the morning and had to head down around noon to avoid thunderstorms. The glissade back to camp made it the fastest descent in recent memory.
I use the term 'dandy' quite loosely, almost as loose as all the scree. But the views are fantastic. The ridge to No. Gardner was calling my name but not the names of anyone else in our party, so I guess I'll save that for another day.
With no info or route beta, we headed up the biggest looking peak in the area. Ended up turning around at a nearby summit which had a summit register with only 2 entries, once in 38 and one in 46, cool! lots of bears in the valley too.
Hiked the long approach into Gardner Meadows. First backpack trip of the year. Jump off a log at about 7 miles in and stress fractured the outside of my right foot. Made it into camp. My two buddies were too tired for a summit the next day and we had to leave the next day. I got up real early, and with my fractured foot climbed up Gardner. Lot of pain, but the glissade ride back was great. Made it from summit to camp in under an hour. Got back just in time for breakfast. Don't underestimate this trip if you are not in good shape or if you plan on doing it without spending two nights.
belowfellow - Feb 16, 2011 8:35 pm Date Climbed: Jul 15, 2010
great traverse
made the slog up Wolf Creek and climbed both Gardner and North Gardner (and the knob in between). exhausting day, but well worth it.
Antony - Jan 30, 2011 1:39 am Date Climbed: Aug 13, 2011
Gorgeous Day
Saw a bunch of goats completing the traverse on a beautiful summer a day a few years back. Started the hike at the lake at the head of Wolf Creek.
YEM - Aug 29, 2010 2:55 pm Date Climbed: Aug 27, 2010
Shelokum Lake
Glad to see this one on the board, it is a separate peak. I was dreading that fact from the summit of North Gardner. With the sun low in the sky, I was thankful to see the first trail since Cedar Creek connecting the two peaks. Lots of goat hair, but no visual. The new Mazama Store rounded out the trip in style, only 5 miles from the trail head.
Dean - Jun 29, 2010 9:12 am Date Climbed: Jul 17, 2004
Laziness has a penalty
Dennis and I went up to within 100 vertical feet of the summit of this one and we sat down and had a snack. He decided to go on up to Gardner's summit and I was more concerned with getting some pics of him while he was doing it. When he came back down we continued on and did the traverse over to No. Gardner, which was our main objective. I was doing county highpoints in those days and so my laziness in not doing those last 100 feet is now being regretted by myself. Oh well....
gimpilator - Jun 27, 2010 10:49 pm Date Climbed: Jun 26, 2010
Wolf Creek Route
You know how you always forget at least one piece of gear? I forgot my sleeping bag. Two nights I slept wearing all my layers. Actually it wasn't that bad. Gardner and North Gardner were pretty good. My climbing partners good attitude and outlandish jokes made it a great trip.
ngie.the.margoat - Sep 7, 2022 12:18 pm Date Climbed: Sep 5, 2022
Updated detailsI made it up to Gardner via the south route in 3~3.5 hours via the south route from the meadows, but I had gotten up to North Gardner the day before and knew the general gist of the route.
A lot has changed since this page was written: the 2021 Wolf Creek Fire made 3/4 of the approach more sun exposed with blowdowns and burned snags to negotiate. Also, the route isn’t as clear as I was expecting, but it seems that most folks opt for doing this one in the winter/spring/early summer, not late summer/fall according to Peakbagger.com .
relic - Sep 19, 2020 7:27 am Date Climbed: Apr 20, 2020
Ski approachFrom a camp in Gardner Meadows. The slope above that camp leads easily to the summit plateau, making for an ideal ski trip. Although the long approach up Wolf Creek detracts from the "ideal" rating a bit, lots of ski carrying to get there.
sempercoug - May 26, 2020 8:26 am Date Climbed: May 24, 2020
First SummitThis was my first peak, we hiked up from the south and bounced between snow and scree. Pretty straight forward. The views were amazing.
huskertriguy - Aug 12, 2019 3:58 pm Date Climbed: Aug 8, 2019
With North GardnerFull report on North Gardner Page
cascadescrambler - Aug 10, 2019 12:00 pm Date Climbed: Jul 2, 1984
On the way to North GardnerPart of a weekend scramble of Abernathy, Gardner and North Gardner
kronshage3 - Jun 14, 2019 7:39 pm Date Climbed: Jun 2, 2019
Gardner "Traverse"Both of these mountains were a piece of work. North Gardner was more enjoyable than its counterpart. The approach in is long, hot, and boring. The valley you approach in is aligned perfectly west to east so the sun literally follows you as you hike up. Good thing there are lots of places to replenish water. Must have gone through at least 5 liters on the approach. The last mile of the approach is very pretty and makes the approach feel more worth it. North Gardner took longer than expect for some reason. It has pretty ice views and the scramble isn't too bad. You can make it harder if you want. The "traverse" was awful. Ended up just descending way down at eventually found a sketchy gully that brought us onto the massive choss/scree slopes on the south facing side of the mountain. It was awful. One step up, two steps down. On the positive side, the way down was really fast and we got back to camp in no time. The hike out was the worst part. It was hot and boring and would not end. Feet were miserable too. Got more on these than expected.
Brian Jenkins - Sep 4, 2017 12:20 am Date Climbed: Sep 2, 2017
finallyHiked in on a Friday to find I had the meadows to myself. Not sure how on a holiday weekend when this was one of the few places that escaped the wildfire haze. Bugged by deer at camp all night long. Headed up standard route. So tedious. Slidey scree all the way. Traversed over to North Gardner afterwards.
Josh Lewis - May 24, 2016 2:11 pm Date Climbed: Jul 24, 2015
South Side (standard route)Summited both on day 1 due to weather concerns. Camped and went out by day 2.
Matt Lemke - Jul 26, 2015 2:25 pm Date Climbed: Jul 24, 2015
Both Gardners via the traverseJohn, Josh and I hiked up Wolf Creek, set up camp then went straight up the south slopes of Gardner Mountain which was fairly loose in places. The wind was howling since a storm was brewing (the same storm that thwarted us from heading to Mount Waddington). John headed back to the meadow while Josh and I ran the traverse to North Gardner. After quickly nabbing the summit of North, we were being engulfed by clouds and saw it was raining on Silver Star. Luckily it never rained on us but as we hiked back over Point 8,487, it was 50 MPH winds! I was chilly without pants and gloves but we got into the scree basin and it quickly eased up. Reached the tent where John was waiting at 9pm. Hiked out the next day.
seano - Jun 22, 2015 3:03 pm Date Climbed: Jun 17, 2015
Wolf CreekIntroduction to the Cascades for summer 2015. Came up Wolf Creek, which was okay, and part of the E/ESE ridge, which kind of sucked. Trip report.
Mike Lewis - May 25, 2015 7:42 pm Date Climbed: May 21, 2015
nice spring ascentA beautiful spring ascent with Fletcher Jordan and Heather Anderson. We had climbed North Gardner earlier in the morning and had to head down around noon to avoid thunderstorms. The glissade back to camp made it the fastest descent in recent memory.
Tangeman - Jul 29, 2013 12:00 pm Date Climbed: Jul 27, 2013
A dandy timeI use the term 'dandy' quite loosely, almost as loose as all the scree. But the views are fantastic. The ridge to No. Gardner was calling my name but not the names of anyone else in our party, so I guess I'll save that for another day.
Infected Mushroom - Sep 18, 2011 9:28 pm
Fun, beta-less attemptWith no info or route beta, we headed up the biggest looking peak in the area. Ended up turning around at a nearby summit which had a summit register with only 2 entries, once in 38 and one in 46, cool! lots of bears in the valley too.
beaudaddy85 - Jul 5, 2011 6:14 pm Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2011
OuchHiked the long approach into Gardner Meadows. First backpack trip of the year. Jump off a log at about 7 miles in and stress fractured the outside of my right foot. Made it into camp. My two buddies were too tired for a summit the next day and we had to leave the next day. I got up real early, and with my fractured foot climbed up Gardner. Lot of pain, but the glissade ride back was great. Made it from summit to camp in under an hour. Got back just in time for breakfast. Don't underestimate this trip if you are not in good shape or if you plan on doing it without spending two nights.
belowfellow - Feb 16, 2011 8:35 pm Date Climbed: Jul 15, 2010
great traversemade the slog up Wolf Creek and climbed both Gardner and North Gardner (and the knob in between). exhausting day, but well worth it.
Antony - Jan 30, 2011 1:39 am Date Climbed: Aug 13, 2011
Gorgeous DaySaw a bunch of goats completing the traverse on a beautiful summer a day a few years back. Started the hike at the lake at the head of Wolf Creek.
breauxtrahn - Dec 8, 2010 10:37 pm
With N. Gardnertraversed down and around from North Gardner.
YEM - Aug 29, 2010 2:55 pm Date Climbed: Aug 27, 2010
Shelokum LakeGlad to see this one on the board, it is a separate peak. I was dreading that fact from the summit of North Gardner. With the sun low in the sky, I was thankful to see the first trail since Cedar Creek connecting the two peaks. Lots of goat hair, but no visual. The new Mazama Store rounded out the trip in style, only 5 miles from the trail head.
Dean - Jun 29, 2010 9:12 am Date Climbed: Jul 17, 2004
Laziness has a penaltyDennis and I went up to within 100 vertical feet of the summit of this one and we sat down and had a snack. He decided to go on up to Gardner's summit and I was more concerned with getting some pics of him while he was doing it. When he came back down we continued on and did the traverse over to No. Gardner, which was our main objective. I was doing county highpoints in those days and so my laziness in not doing those last 100 feet is now being regretted by myself. Oh well....
gimpilator - Jun 27, 2010 10:49 pm Date Climbed: Jun 26, 2010
Wolf Creek RouteYou know how you always forget at least one piece of gear? I forgot my sleeping bag. Two nights I slept wearing all my layers. Actually it wasn't that bad. Gardner and North Gardner were pretty good. My climbing partners good attitude and outlandish jokes made it a great trip.