Trip Date: September 12-14, 2014

Azurite Peak Climbing Trip

West Fork Methow River
Horse Heaven
Azurite Pass
Azurite Peak (8400’+)

Trip Report Summary

Region: Northeastern Washington Cascades

Sub-Region: Upper Methow Mountains

Area: Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest

Starting & Ending Point: West Fork Methow River Trailhead at end of Lost River Road (Elev. 2700 feet)

Way Points: West Fork Methow River & Trout Creek & Brush Creek & Jet Creek & Horse Heaven (trail hike & off-trail hike)

Campsite: Horse Heaven Camp (Elev. 4350 feet)

Sidetrip: Upper Jet Creek & Azurite Pass (bushwhack & trail hike)

Summit: Azurite Peak (off-trail hike & rock scramble via South Ridge—Southwest Gully)

Approximate Stats: 25 miles traveled; 6700 feet gained & lost.

Full Trip Report

Eileen and I took advantage of a major high-pressure system with a trip into the Upper Methow Mountains for a try at Azurite Peak. Things didn’t go as smoothly as we hoped, but all ended well.

Day 1: Trailhead to Horse Heaven Camp

We started at the West Fork Methow River TH on Friday afternoon with the intention of riding mountain bikes 6 or 7 miles up the “gentle” river trail. Our plan went nicely for about 1.5 miles, at which point we abruptly encountered a large rockslide that obliterated the trail. Here, a 300-yard width of hillslope has been reduced to an ugly mess of unstable talus and splintered tree trunks. I’m not sure about the cause of this chaos; perhaps a wintertime avalanche ran to ground and took the talus slope with it. Regardless, we quickly decided to stash our bikes and continue on foot.

Our decision to hike rather than ride was reinforced over the next several hours, as I counted 83 downed trees along a 6-mile stretch of trail. In addition to those frustrating obstacles, there are countless loose rocks and sticks covering much of the trail due to lack of recent traffic. Reportedly, this used to be a very bike-friendly trail, but it certainly isn’t any more. It’s doubtful that the trail will be restored in the foreseeable future.

We eventually reached the perfectly groomed Pacific Crest Trail at Mile 8, then followed it westerly for 2 miles to Jet Creek (5.9 hours from TH). It was dark by now, but we managed to find the comfortable accommodations of “Horse Heaven Camp” in a grove of timber next to the river.

Day 2: Azurite Peak Summit Climb

We awoke to clear skies and frosty vegetation. Before heading out, we left two containers of snack food (apples and candy) next to the PCT, with an invitation to through-hikers.. September is prime-time in the Cascades for PCT hikers en route to Canada, and we knew from our friend “The Animal” (who is currently on the PCT) that they will be craving any sort of food during these last few days of travel.

The old Azurite Pass Trail leaves the PCT about 120 yards east of Jet Creek. It is not signed, but there is a small rock cairn marking the junction. We followed it up a couple of switchbacks, then lost it in a thicket of slide alder. After an hour of thrashing upward, we regained the trail at 5000 feet as it traversed westerly to a 5300-foot crossing of Jet Creek (1.9 hours from camp).

Beyond the Jet Creek crossing, the trail is eroded and brushy but fairly easy to follow. Abandoned-trail aficionados will savor the hike up this once-proud route that links the Methow River with Canyon Creek and the Skagit River. The uppermost portion winds through scenic heather meadows and granite boulders. We reached Azurite Pass shortly before noon (3.3 hours from camp).

From Azurite Pass, we ascended krummholz, sand, scree, and talus to a 7400-foot shoulder on the south ridge of Azurite Peak. Much of the mountain appears to be composed of highly weathered granite that is quickly disintegrating into pebbly sand. Harder basalt forms more of the upper peak.

We continued up the crest to about 7600 feet, then began a gently rising traverse across a series of ribs, gullies, and sandy slopes (well marked with ducks and cairns). In our desire to not turn upward too early, we went a bit too far over and encountered the imposing southwest face, which becomes Class 4 in a hurry. We retreated to the last gully to the south and headed up.

All gullies seem to lead towards the summit, so there are several options for the last 400 feet. Our gully was loose but never more than Class 3. Views out to the south improved with every step.

We stepped onto the summit in mid afternoon (7.0 hours from camp). The summit register showed three or four previous parties in 2014.

Clear air and slanting sun rays gave us wonderful views in all directions. Down to the northeast, we could see the PCT switchbacking up from Glacier Pass and traversing toward Hart’s Pass.

Jack Mountain—always a view hog—dominated the western horizon.

Nearby peaks of the Upper Methow Mountains pierced the southern horizon. It was hard to tear ourselves away.

On the way back down, we tidied up our route enough to reach camp (3.5 hours from summit) before dark. Oh yes…our PCT snack containers had been cleaned out!

Day 3: Horse Heaven Camp to Trailhead

The morning was a bit warmer than the previous two mornings. This did nothing to ease the annoyance of groveling over, under, or around the 83 downed logs along the river trail. Somewhere around Milepost 4, we met a solo biker-climber heading up the trail, bound for Azurite Peak. He looked tired and frustrated. When we asked how the biking had been thus far, he simply shook his head and pointed his thumb straight downward.  It probably didn’t improve his spirits when I mentioned that he had only 64 more logs to cross.

By the time we’d scrabbled over the treacherous rockslide, retrieved our bikes, and ridden back to the trailhead (5.1 hours from camp), it was early afternoon and quite hot. Bloody scratches on our shins told the story of a trail in a sad state of disrepair.

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