Mountain Loop Highway

One of the first reasons for the development of the Mountain Loop Highway was the mining town called named Monte Cristo. Monte Cristo was founded in 1889 and was completely abandoned, becoming a ghost town in 1907. The land was preserved and protected by Henry M. Jackson, the was governor of the state. Now there is a preserved area called the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness. The Mountain Loop Highway is now home to many popular cascade hikes and climbs. Not all of them are listed on Summit Post yet. There is no doubt that the scenic beauty of the Mountain Loop Highway Peaks far exceeds that...

Mount Dickerman

The hike takes you to the top of a 5,723 foot summit with a 360 degree view. The hike is about 4.6 miles one way, making it 9.2 miles round trip. The hike is strenuous and is not recommended to beginner hikers in November-May because of the high amount of snow. From the summit you can see Glacier Peak, Vesper Peak, Del Campo Peak, Mt. Pilchuck, Three Fingers, White Horse, Sloan Peak, and Mt. Pugh.Getting There: If you live in Seattle go north taking I-5 to Everett, take the junction to highway 2 ( don't go right after the bridge, because you get off highway 2)and take a left to Lake Stevens....

Vesper Peak

Vesper Peak is east of Granite Falls and is near Silverton. The road getting there is friendly and a northwest forest pass is required. The trail starts out gentle and easy through the woods, a few creeks and a river (careful crossing it). There is an orange tag that represents the trail to cross the river. The first time I went there I took a wrong way and went on a primitive trail to Lewis Peak. After the river the trail starts to switch back a few times to a strait away, then you get to a boulder field valley. In the summer there are blue berries and don't forget water on this hike...

Del Campo Peak

This peak is above Foggy Lake at the end of the Weden Creek trail in the Monte Cristo area. This scamble offers great views of the Mountain Loop Highway area and of the Monte Crsito Peaks. Near by are Sheep Gap and Gothic Peak. "Del Campo Peak, taken from mount Dickerman on april 29, 2007" Getting There from Seattle: Drive north on I-5 until you can juntion onto highway 2 which is in Everett. After a few minutes of driving there is a road called Snohomish Marysville Road which is on your left and goes to Lake Stevens. From here you take a left onto highway 9 for about 1.75 miles and then...

Mount Pugh

At 7,201 feet and with 2,800 feet of prominence, Mt. Pugh is definitely a majestic peak. A 5-3 scramble, Mt. Pugh is a challenging and strenuous peak. The exposure is quite large in parts, especially on Knife Ridge, a very thin ridge with a massive drop on both sides that must be traversed to access the peak. Near the top of Mt. Pugh, there are some Class 3 sections that will definitely test your abilities. Mt. Pugh is located in Darrington, and is part of the North Cascades. The beginning part of the trail starts out easy, a hike on a trail through the forest. At 1.5 miles, Lake Matan is...