Trip Date: May 9, 2004
Hi-Jack Peak Day Climb
Little Eightmile Lake
Eightmile Lake
Hi-Jack Peak aka High-Jack Peak aka Hijack Peak (7828 ft)
Trip Report Summary
Region: Central Washington Cascades
Sub-Region: Icicle Mountains
Area: Alpine Lakes Wilderness
Starting & Ending Point: Eightmile Lake Trailhead on Eightmile Creek Road (Elev. 3300 feet)
Way Points: Pioneer Creek & Eightmile Creek & Little Eightmile Lake & Eightmile Lake & Upper Eightmile Creek & Upper Eightmile Basin (trail hike & snow hike)
Summit: Hi-Jack Peak (snow climb & rock scramble via Southeast Slope—South Face)
Approximate Stats: 14 miles traveled; 4900 feet gained & lost; 6.4 hours up; 3.5 hours down.
Full Trip Report
Although Hi-Jack Peak is not actually the highest point on Jack Ridge, it is the most prominent and has an impressive look from many nearby viewpoints. It seemed like a good choice for a Mother’s Day marked by a shaky weather forecast. Suzanne, Janet, Carolyn, and Steve joined me on a climbing attempt via Eightmile Lake. Since Carolyn was the only one of us to show up wearing a skirt (performance fabric, of course), she became our surrogate mother for the day.
We headed up the well-maintained trail to Eightmile Lake in warm, sunny conditions. This trail is currently snow-free all the way to the lake, except for scattered snow patches over the last ¼ mile.
- Janet, Carolyn, Steve, and Suzanne At Eightmile Lake
We hiked around the lake on a path, then continued cross-country up-valley for about 1 mile, staying north of the inlet creek. At first, the travel was slow and tedious, as we incessantly punched through the waning snowcover, but footing gradually improved as we diverged northward from the creek and gained elevation.
After several hours, we broke out of the forest at 6100 feet and got our first clear view of the route ahead. Wide-open snow slopes extended upward in a series of steps to the ridge crest 1700 feet above. Due to the late hour, Janet and Carolyn decided to call this their turnaround point for the day, while Steve and Suzanne and I made a dash for the summit. We agreed to rendezvous back at Eightmile Lake—hopefully before dark. Steve led the upward charge, with Suzanne and me spelling him periodically. The final 100 feet of snow approached 50 degrees, but the soft snow gave excellent purchase.
- Suzanne High On Hi-Jack Peak
Shortly before 4:00 pm, we topped out on the narrow summit. Snow-capped, sunlit peaks in the Stuart Range and Alpine Lakes region provided a nice backdrop for our late lunch and quick photo session.
- Suzanne and Steve On Hi-Jack Peak Summit
Mt. Stuart’s fearsome north face dominated the entire scene, of course. A summit register had been left by Johnny Jeans and company in 2002, and it showed only two subsequent parties: Dick Kiegel registered a solo ascent later that same year, while Kal Brauner and John Roper, who had approached from Trout Creek, were the only registrants in 2003.
- Jim On Hi-Jack Peak With Mt Stuart
Knowing that Carolyn and Janet would be waiting for us, we hastened our descent. The first 1700 feet flew by, thanks to some long glissades, and soon we were back down in the creek valley. For the return leg, we stayed very close to the creek and found the terrain much more pleasant. We caught up with the rest of our party right at the head of Eightmile Lake and hiked out the remaining 4 miles together.
Photo Gallery
Click to enlarge…
