Trip Date: July 4-6, 1975
Glacier Peak Climbing Trip
White Chuck River Valley
Kennedy Guard Station / Kennedy Hot Springs
Boulder Basin
Sitkum Glacier
Glacier Peak aka DaKobed (10,541/10,544 ft)
Trip Report Summary
Region: North-Central Washington Cascades
Sub-Region: Glacier Peak Massif
Area: Glacier Peak Wilderness
Starting & Ending Point: White Chuck Trailhead at end of White Chuck River Road (Elev. 2350 feet)
Way Points: White Chuck River & Pumice Creek & Glacier Creek & Kennedy Creek & Kennedy Guard Station & Kennedy Hot Springs & Sitkum Creek (trail hike)
Campsites: Sitkum Creek Camp & Kennedy Guard Station Camp
Sidetrip: Boulder Basin (off-trail hike)
Summit: Glacier Peak (snow climb via Sitkum Glacier—Sitkum Hogback)
Approximate Stats: 21 miles traveled; 8500 feet gained & lost.
Related Posts
>>> Glacier Peak Carry-Over Loop + Black Mtn + Kololo Peak – August 2013
>>> Glacier Peak via Lower Kennedy Glacier—Frostbite Ridge – July 2000
>>> Glacier Peak attempt via Ptarmigan Glacier—Frostbite Ridge – September 1995
Full Trip Report
Day 1: Trailhead to Sitkum Creek Camp
Over a sunny Independence Day Weekend, I climbed Glacier Peak with a large group from Wenatchee led by Bill Asplund. We approached the mountain via the White Chuck River Trail, which took us up to Kennedy Guard Station.
Kennedy Guard Station was a busy place, with hordes of day-hikers, backpackers, and climbers milling about. The amenities here included a ranger cabin, a campground, and a hot spring.
We continued southward past Kennedy Guard Station until reaching the Pacific Crest Trail, then we turned northward and hiked up to Sitkum Creek. A nice campsite here served as our base camp for the climb.
Day 2 (AM): Glacier Peak Summit Climb
The next morning, we ascended a steep climber’s path to Boulder Basin, where several other climbing parties were camped. Here, we donned crampons and headed up the Sitkum Glacier. The sky was clear, and snow conditions were firm.
Our route ascended to the Sitkum Hogback before turning right and making a final climb to the summit.
There was a festive atmosphere on the summit due to the presence of 25 or more climbers celebrating their success. The register was contained in a cast-aluminum “Mazama box.”
Day 2 (PM): Sitkum Creek Camp to Kennedy Guard Camp
After returning to our base camp at Sitkum Creek, we packed up and hiked back to Kennedy Guard Station, where we spent our second night at the spacious campground. This ultra-popular backcountry mecca hosted countless thousands of hikers and climbers for decades until it was completely destroyed in 2003 by a massive floodwater deposit coming down the White Chuck River.
Day 3 (AM): Kennedy Guard Camp to Trailhead
Our third day involved an easy 5-mile hike back to the trailhead to cap off a great Independence Day Weekend.
Photo Gallery
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