Originally Posted: October 2026
Updated: November 2026

Guye Peak Day Climb

Alpental Valley
Commonwealth Valley
Cave Ridge Saddle
Guye Pond
Guye Peak: north summit (~5168 ft)
Guye Peak: middle summit (~5165 ft)
Guye Peak: south summit (5168 ft)

Trip Report Summary

Region: Central Washington Cascades

Sub-Region: Snoqualmie Range

Area: Mt. Baker – Snoqualmie National Forest & Alpine Lakes Wilderness

Option A: Alpental Valley Approach

Starting & Ending Point: Snoqualmie Mountain / Guye Peak Trailhead adjacent to Alpenal Ski Area parking lot on Alpental Road #9040 (Elev. 3130 feet)

Way Points: Snoqualmie Mountain Trail / Guye Peak Trail junction & Cave Ridge Saddle / four-way junction & Guye Pond & trail branch junction & access notch (trail hike & trail scramble)

Approximate Round-Trip Stats (north summit only): 2.4 miles traveled; 2050 feet gained & lost.

Approximate Round-Trip Stats (all three summits): 2.6 miles traveled; 2400 feet gained & lost.

Option B: Commonwealth Valley Approach

Starting & Ending Point: Old Commonwealth Basin Trailhead in PCT–North Trailhead upper parking lot off Interstate-90 at Exit 52 (Elev. 3030 feet)

Way Points: Commonwealth Creek crossing & Cave Ridge Saddle / four-way junction & Guye Pond & trail branch junction & access notch (trail hike & trail scramble)

Approximate Round-Trip Stats (north summit only): 4.2 miles traveled; 2150 feet gained & lost.

Approximate Round-Trip Stats (all three summits): 4.4 miles traveled; 2500 feet gained & lost.

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Summit 1: Guye Peak: north summit (trail hike & trail scramble via North Ridge)

Summit 2: Guye Peak: middle summit (dirt scramble & rock scramble via East Gully—East Ramp—North Ridge; descent via Southeast Face)

Summit 3: Guye Peak: south summit (trail scramble & rock scramble via East Slope—East Face)

Related Posts

>>> Lundin Peak via Commonwealth Basin—Red Pass—Southeast Ridge – September 9, 2023

>>> Denny Mountain via Alpental Ski Area—South Face – June 10, 2021

>>> Lundin Peak via Commonwealth Basin—South Couloir—West Ridge – July 13, 2008

>>> Red Mountain via Commonwealth Basin—Southwest Face – September 28, 2003

Route Overview

Despite having the lowest summit in the entire Snoqualmie Range, Guye Peak is probably the most frequently viewed and admired, simply due to its highly visible location from Interstate-90 on both sides of Snoqualmie Pass. When driving in either direction over the pass, Guye Peak has the appearance of a massive, gray sugarloaf or haystack, towering 1500 vertical feet above the surrounding valleys. For this reason, it constitutes a very popular day-trip objective, with multiple routes ranging from Class 2 scrambles to Class 5 climbs.

The broad summit crest of Guye Peak has three separate points of nearly equal height. The north summit is the easiest to reach, involving only a short Class 2 scramble at the top. The middle summit appears to be slightly lower but is relatively difficult to reach; it requires tricky scrambling on fairly exposed soil and Class 3-4 rock. The south summit requires an ascent of the middle summit, followed by some additional Class 2-3 scrambling. These latter two summits are suitable only for competent scramblers who are comfortable with moderate exposure.

There are three common approach routes to reach the summits of Guye Peak in the least technical manner, as described below.

• Alpental Valley Approach: The most direct route starts at the Alpental Ski Area parking lot and follows a very steep, primitive trail eastward up to the crest of Cave Ridge and then southward along the ridge crest. Conveniently, this parking lot lies directly beneath the peak, but be aware that it fills up quickly on weekends and requires a Northwest Forest Pass or equivalent.
• Commonwealth Valley Approach: A longer but more civilized alternative is to start at the Old Commonwealth Basin Trailhead and hike along the eastern side of Commonwealth Creek and then hike northwesterly up a moderately steep forest to the crest of Cave Ridge, there joining the Alpental Valley approach route. Be aware that this parking lot also fills up quickly on weekends and requires a Northwest Forest Pass or equivalent.
• Sahalie Ski Hill Approach: This variation of the Commonwealth Valley approach starts a short distance up Alpental Road and goes up a forest slope between the Sahalie Ski Hill and Commonwealth Creek, then follow a path over to intersect the regular trail. This variation appears to offer no advantage in terms of distance, and it involves the possibility of trespassing.

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Full Route Description

The first two text sections below describe the approach routes to the Cave Ridge Saddle from both Alpental Valley and Commonwealth Valley. Subsequent text sections describe the continuation routes to each of Guye Peak’s three summits.

Alpental Valley to Cave Ridge Saddle

The approach route to Guye Peak from Alpental Valley begins at the unmarked Snoqualmie Mountain / Guye Peak Trailhead, which is located on Alpental Road a mere 20 yards downhill from the Snow Lake Trailhead. Although there are no formal signs at this trailhead, it can be identified by an unrelated signboard attached to an adjacent tree.

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The trail initially ascends through a patch of dense brush at a moderate grade, with a view of Guye Peak directly overhead. Before long, the trail becomes very steep and rocky, at times degenerating to little more than an eroded stream channel. Higher up, the trail makes a series of tight switchbacks through dense forest.

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After gaining 1100 vertical feet, you will break out of the dense forest and enter a field of very large, mossy boulders. Near the bottom of this boulderfield is an inconspicuous trail junction. The well-trodden Snoqualmie Mountain Trail angles to the left, whereas the Guye Peak Trail proceeds more steeply up to the right. Take the latter branch.

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The Guye Peak Trail makes a long rightward (southeasterly) traverse up through the boulderfield, staying below a tall cliff band. Eventually, the boulderfield gives way to moderately dense forest, but the trail continues its rightward traverse.

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At an elevation of 4600 feet (0.8 miles + 1500 feet from TH), you will reach the Cave Ridge Saddle—a wooded saddle that serves as a four-way intersection. To the left (north) is a path that heads up the crest to Cave Peak and the Snoqualmie Snow Dome. Straight ahead (on the other side of a fallen tree) is the approach trail coming up from Commonwealth Valley. To the right (south) is the Guye Peak Trail.

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Commonwealth Valley to Cave Ridge Saddle

The Commonwealth Valley approach route to Guye Peak begins at the Old Commonwealth Basin Trailhead, which is located in the upper (northern) parking lot for the northbound Pacific Crest Trail (PCT-North). This small parking lot consists of an asphalt-paved loop with a restroom building in the center and a horse-loading dock on one side. Although there are no formal signs marking the actual trailhead, it can be identified by some cut logs, a short wooden post, and a PCT emblem attached to an adjacent tree.

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Navigation is initially a bit tricky due to multiple branching trails near the parking lot. From the wooden post, follow the trail easterly into the forest for 10 yards to an inconspicuous fork. Angle down to the right, step across a drainage ditch, and proceed upward, curving to the left. After about 60 yards, you will reach an obvious “T” intersection. Turn left and continue hiking northward on a gravelly, gently inclined trail for another 200 yards. At this point, the trail curves sharply to the right and heads more steeply uphill. Continue following the rough but well-trodden trail on a northeasterly bearing through the forest. Very soon, you will enter the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.

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After about ½ mile, the trail makes a left-hand curve over to the main branch of Commonwealth Creek. In mid- to late summer and throughout the autumn, this creek crossing is typically an easy rock-hop. In the spring and early summer, however, you might need to wade across or find a good log.

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Soon after crossing the main branch of Commonwealth Creek, you will cross a smaller branch and then proceed upstream for ¼ mile before turning uphill to your left. The trail makes a steadily rising traverse through deep forest interrupted by a few areas of talus or small cliffs. Farther uphill, it curls around the head of a small gully.

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At an elevation of 4600 feet (1.8 miles + 1600 feet from TH), you will go around a fallen tree to reach the Cave Ridge Saddle—a wooded saddle that serves as a four-way intersection. To the right (north) is a path that heads up the crest to Cave Peak and the Snoqualmie Snow Dome. Straight ahead is the approach trail coming up from Alpental Valley. To the left (south) is the Guye Peak Trail.

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Cave Ridge Saddle to North Summit

From the Cave Ridge Saddle, head south on the Guye Peak Trail and continue hiking upward. Very soon, you will arrive at Guye Pond—a cute little pool resting on a meadowy bench. Near the edge of this pond is a fork in the trail, offering two options for further travel. One branch goes left around the pond and up through forest closely left of the crest, while the other branch goes right around the pond and up a talus field closely right of the crest. The left branch is slightly easier to follow, whereas the right branch is slightly more interesting. Choose either branch; they converge again at a junction 300 feet higher.

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After the two branches converge at a high junction, the Guye Peak Trail continues uphill on rocky terrain. The route becomes a bit more indistinct and requires some easy scrambling, but the north summit can now be seen ahead.

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At an elevation of 5100 feet, just before you reach the base of the north summit, you will pass the access notch—a pronounced gap in the ridge crest. This notch marks the top of the access gully leading to the middle and south summits.

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From the access notch, continue scrambling up the ridge crest on slabby Class 1-2 rock for 50 vertical feet to gain the craggy horn of Guye Peak’s north summit (1.2 miles + 2050 feet from Alpental TH; 2.1 miles + 2150 feet from Commonwealth TH). This location provides an excellent destination for anybody wanting a good workout and a fine viewpoint. Although the middle and south summits look tantalizingly close from here, they are separated by deep chasms, so don’t be tempted to to scramble directly over!

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The south summit offers close-up views of Snoqualmie Mountain, Lundin Peak, and Red Mountain to the north. Down to the west is the Alpental Ski Area, and above this you can see the row of craggy Alpental peaks extending from Denny Mountain to Chair Peak.

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Access Notch to Middle Summit

The route to Guye Peak’s middle summit begins at the aforementioned 5100-foot access notch located 50 vertical feet below the north summit. Before proceeding, be aware that this route requires difficult scrambling on steep, moderately exposed terrain. As such, do not attempt this route unless you are very competent and properly prepared.

From the access notch, descend a steep and narrow gully that trends in a southeasterly direction. A faint bootpath leads down this gully, but it still constitutes what I regard as a dirt scramble due to the severe angle. Be very careful, because you wouldn’t want to slip here!

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After descending the access gully for about 40 feet, you will be able to traverse rightward (south) on broken Class 2-3 rock directly beneath a vertical-to-overhanging cliff. This traverse will take you over to a steeply inclined slab consisting of a tilted layer of volcanic rock. Go left around a vertical corner to get onto this slab and then scramble upward. In dry conditions, the ascent involves moderately exposed Class 3 scrambling. In wet conditions, which occur frequently on Guye Peak, the ascent involves Class 3+ or Class 4 scrambling; as such, you might wish for a rope here.

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After reaching the top of the steep slab, continue hiking up a path that ends in the chasm between the south and middle summits. Turn left and make a short Class 2-3 scramble to the top of the middle summit. From here, you can sight over to the adjacent north and south summits, both of which appear to be a few feet higher.

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Middle Summit to South Summit

If you’ve managed to gain the middle summit, you will undoubtedly want to continue over to the south summit. Start by scrambling down toward the middle-south gap, angling slightly to the left (southeast) on Class 2-3 rock. Upon reaching a heather ledge below the gap, follow a bootpath southward below the cliffy ridge crest and then up to a rocky shoulder. Turn right and make a short Class 2-3 scramble to gain the coveted south summit.

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The south summit, which is adorned with a memorial plaque, offers a unique view of Interstate-90 as it curves through Snoqualmie Pass. The summit ski areas and Keechelus Lake are visible farther to the south.

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Not surprisingly, most views from this summit are similar to those from the north summit. These include the Alpental peaks to the west, as well as Snoqualmie Mountain, Lundin Peak, Red Mountain, and other peaks above Commonwealth Basin. On most days, you will also be able to see people lounging on the north summit.

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Descent from South Summit to Access Notch

Your descent from the south summit involves backtracking across the heather ledge, then scrambling up and over the north summit. After hiking down a short distance from the north-middle chasm, you will be faced with down-climbing the steep, exposed slab beneath the north summit. In any conditions, this down-climb requires careful movements and delicate footwork. In wet conditions, it can be a frightening event! It is advisable to carry a 30-meter scramble rope to be used as a handline in the event that you or anyone in your party feels uncomfortable with the difficulty or exposure. Be aware that serious accidents—and even deaths—have occurred here! Upon reaching the bottom of the slab, carefully traverse back over to the steep dirt gully and boot up to the access notch.

Elevation Comments

The latest (1989) 7.5-minute USGS topographic map shows a triangulated elevation of 5168 feet for the south summit. The north and middle summits were not triangulated, but the contour lines indicate elevations slightly above 5160 feet for the north summit and slightly below 5160 feet for the middle summit. In contrast, the newer digital map shows that the north and middle summits are both slightly above 5160 feet, whereas the south summit is below 5160 feet.

During my first climb of Guye Peak, I confirmed that all three summits are indeed remarkably similar in elevation. My visual impression was that the middle summit is a bit lower than the other two, but there was no discernible difference between the north and south summits. In hopes of resolving this uncertainty, I took a pocket transit (a hand-held leveling scope) on my next climb.

By scope-sighting from the north summit, I observed that the middle summit and south summit were too close to call—probably within about 2 or 3 feet either way. As such, a positive determination of those elevations will require a surveying scope or other device with greater precision than my pocket transit. In the meantime, I’m going with the triangulated elevation of 5168 feet for the south summit, and estimated elevations of 5168 feet and 5165 feet for the north and middle summits, respectively.

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Route Maps & Profiles

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