Trip Date: September 15-16, 2007
Sourdough Mountain Climbing Trip & Sourdough Trail Traverse: Gorge Lake to Ross Lake
Diablo Overlook
Sourdough Mountain (6120’+)
Sourdough Lookout
Ross Dam
Trip Report Summary
Region: Northwestern Washington Cascades
Sub-Region: Stetattle Mountains
Areas: Ross Lake National Recreation Area & North Cascades National Park
Starting Point: Sourdough Mountain Trailhead at Diablo Townsite on Diablo Road (Elev. 1200 feet)
Way Points: Diablo Overlook & Sourdough Creek & Sourdough Knob & Sourdough Lookout & Pierce Mountain saddle & Ross Lake Overlook & Ross Lake & Ross Dam & Highway 20 (trail hike)
Ending Point: Ross Dam Trailhead on Highway 20 (Elev. 2150 feet)
Campsite: Sourdough Knob (Elev. 6000 feet)
Summit: Sourdough Mountain (off-trail hike & rock scramble via South Ridge)
Approximate Stats: 15.8 miles traveled; 6000 feet gained; 5050 feet lost.
Full Trip Report
I was delighted to do this backpacking traverse over Sourdough Mtn in the Stetattle Mountains with Eileen and Steve. After being sidelined most of the summer with a broken ankle, this was my first overnighter in ten weeks. It was a dandy!
Day 1: Sourdough Trailhead to Sourdough Mountain
We dropped a car at the Ross Dam TH, then drove back to the Sourdough Mountain TH at Diablo. The weather was perfect for our hike up to the crest of Sourdough Ridge and our scramble northwesterly up to the 6120-foot summit of Sourdough Mountain.
- Eileen above Diablo Lake
- Colonial and Neve Glaciers From Sourdough Mtn
- Eileen, Steve, and Ridge Crest Tarn
We dropped down from the summit and made camp on a 6000-foot rock knob overlooking a small tarn. From there, we enjoyed a cloudless, moonless night sky with more stars than I’ve seen in decades.
- Ruby Mountain To Mt Buckner
- Sunset On Jack Mountain
- Southern Pickets Silhouette
Day 2: Sourdough Mountain to Ross Dam Trailhead
Awaking to a cool fog the next morning, we descended to historic Sourdough Lookout.
- Hiking down Sourdough Ridge
- Steve and Eileen At Sourdough Lookout Cabin
From the lookout cabin, we hiked eastward on the superb Pierce Mtn Way Trail. This seldom-used trail took us through wafting fog and mossy carpets to Ross Lake.
- Hiking Down Mossy Trail
- Ross Lake Overlook
Near the shore of Ross Lake, our trail intersected the Big Beaver Trail. We turned right and hiked along the shoreline, then crossed Ross Dam to reach our car just before rain set in.
- Eileen and Steve On Ross Dam
Steve and I argued as to whether this constituted a loop or a traverse, but there was no dispute that it deserved two thumbs up.
Route Map & Profile
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Photo Gallery
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