Trip Date: September 23, 2021
Cold Creek Trail Loop: Windy Pass to Tinkham Pass
Windy Pass
Cold Creek Pass
Abiel Peak (5365 ft)
Tinkham Pass
Twin Lakes
Trip Report Summary
Region: Central Washington Cascades
Sub-Region: Iron Horse Mountains
Areas: Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest & Mt. Baker – Snoqualmie National Forest
Starting & Ending Point: Cold Creek Trailhead on Cold Creek Road #9070 (Elev. 2950 feet)
Loop Way Points: Cold Creek & Mt. Catherine Trail junction & Cold Creek Road junction & Windy Pass / PCT junction & Silver Peak Trail junction & Cold Creek Ponds & Tinkham Pass / Cold Creek Trail junction & Twin Lakes & Cold Creek (trail hike & road walk)
Sidetrip: Cold Creek Pass & S.A.T. Hill & Abiel Saddle & Abiel Peak summit (trail hike & rock scramble)
Summit: Abiel Peak (ascent & descent via East Ridge)
Approximate Stats (excluding sidetrip): 7.0 miles traveled; 1900 feet gained & lost.
Approximate Stats (including sidetrip): 8.8 miles traveled; 3150 feet gained & lost; 2.5 hours up; 2.4 hours down.
Related Posts
Tinkham Peak Summit Loop: Southeast Ridge to Northwest Ridge – September 16, 2021
Silver Peak via Hyak Flats—Nordic Pass—Northwest Ridge – May 15, 2020
Silver Peak via Annette Lake—West Slope—South Ridge – June 14, 2009
Trip Overview
Abiel Peak is one of the “Iron Horse Triplets,” which, along with Silver Peak and Tinkham Peak, comprise three closely spaced summits in the northeastern part of the Iron Horse Mountains. Being the lowest and least well-known of the triplets, Abiel Peak tends to get fewer ascents than its siblings. Nonetheless, it provides a worthwhile day trip in the Snoqualmie Pass area.
The most direct and efficient route to Abiel Peak begins at Windy Pass on Cold Creek Road #9070. From there, it is only 2.7 miles to the summit. However, for those who don’t mind a little extra mileage and elevation gain, it is much more interesting and satisfying to combine the ascent with a trail loop around the headwaters of Cold Creek, starting at the Cold Creek Trailhead farther down Cold Creek Road.
Full Trip Report
On a warm Thursday morning, I hiked up the Cold Creek Trail to a junction with the Mt. Catherine Trail, located just shy of Twin Lakes. This latter trail took me to a higher point on Cold Creek Road, which I then followed uphill for about ¼ mile to Windy Pass and an intersection with the Pacific Crest Trail.
Turning left on the PCT, I began an undulating traverse around the Cold Creek headwaters for about 2 miles until reaching a junction with the primitive Silver Peak Trail. This junction is not signed but is clearly marked with a large stone cairn.
The Silver Peak Trail is a heavily trodden route that goes steeply uphill in a southwestward direction over roots, rocks, and mudholes. It ends at a four-way intersection within the 4750-foot saddle of Cold Creek Pass. To the left is a narrow bootpath leading up Tinkham Peak. Straight ahead is another bootpath leading a few dozen yards to the brink of a cliff, offering a fine view of Mt. Rainier and Abiel Lake. (Be aware that Abiel Lake lies within the Cedar River Watershed; public access is strictly prohibited.)
Turning right at Cold Creek Pass, I followed the Silver Peak Trail (still a wide bootpath) through rolling huckle-heather slopes and up a rock outcrop. At a point where the trail goes over a slight rib and Silver Peak pops into view, I turned left on a narrow but well-defined bootpath. This took me around the side of S.A.T. Hill—a forested knoll that stands between Silver, Abiel, and Tinkham Peaks—for my first view of Abiel Peak.
The bootpath drops into a saddle and then continues up the east ridge of Abiel Peak. This path is not difficult to follow, but there are a few Class 2-3 outcrops along the way. The final portion makes a rising traverse across a southeast-facing talus slope, which provides a good view back at Tinkham Peak and down to Abiel Lake.
I arrived at the summit in early afternoon (2.5 hours + 2700 feet from TH) and found an old ammo-can register full of names. Westerly and southerly views from this summit are somewhat limited due to tightly spaced trees, but everything to the north and east is quite visible. I could see numerous hikers ascending and descending Silver Peak on a veritable “trail highway,” visually confirming its popular status. By jockeying around a bit, I was also able to get a view of Humpback Mountain and Annette Lake to the northwest.
Upon departing, I backtracked to Cold Creek Pass and dropped down to the PCT (0.9 hours from summit). I then turned right and continued on my trail loop around the headwaters of Cold Creek for 1 mile to Tinkham Pass, going by a cluster of pretty little ponds along the way.
At Tinkham Pass (1.2 hours from summit), I turned off the PCT, descended to Twin Lakes, and crossed the outlet stream on a footlog, thereby closing my trail loop. An easy hike back to the Cold Creek Trailhead completed my 9-mile trek in late afternoon (2.4 hours + 450 feet from summit).
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Route Map & Profile
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Photo Gallery
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