Trip Date: October 9-11, 2009

GOLDEN LARCH OUTING:  SAWTOOTH MOUNTAINS

Horsethief Basin Loop:  Summer Blossom TH to South Navarre TH

Navarre Pass
North Navarre Peak (7963’)
Horsethief Basin
Sunrise Peak aka Horsethief Peak (8002’)
Deadman’s Pass
Miner’s Basin
Lone Fir Pass
Ferry Peak (7777’)
Uno Peak (7640’+)
South Navarre Peak (7870’)

Trip Report Summary

Region: North-Central Washington Cascades

Sub-Region: Sawtooth Mountains

Area: Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest

Starting Point: Summer Blossom Trailhead on Grade Creek Road #82 (Elev. 6400 feet)

Way Points: Navarre Pass & Sawtooth Ridge & Little Horsethief Basin & Horsethief Basin & Deadmans Pass & Miners Basin & Upper Miners Basin & Safety Harbor Creek (trail hike)

Ending Point: South Navarre Trailhead on Grade Creek Road #82 (Elev. 6400 feet)

Campsites: Little Horsethief Basin & Upper Miners Basin

Summit: North Navarre Peak (off-trail hike via South Ridge)

Summit: Sunrise/Horsethief Peak (off-trail hike & rock scramble via South Slope—West Ridge)

Sidetrip: Lone Fir Pass (trail hike)

Summit: Ferry Peak (off-trail hike & rock scramble via Southeast Ridge)

Summit: Uno Peak (off-trail hike & rock scramble via North Ridge—West Slope)

Summit: South Navarre Peak (off-trail hike via South Ridge)

Approximate Stats: 20 miles traveled; 9100 feet gained; 9100 feet lost.

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Full Trip Report

In search of more golden larches, I did a delightful backpacking loop in the southern Sawtooth Mountains last weekend with Eileen, Jim A, and Fay. I had always been put off by the prospect of a long approach drive on a bad road, but Charlie Hickenbottom recently reported that the Grade Creek Road is in good condition. We found the road to indeed be long but very driveable.

Day 1: Summer Blossom Trailhead to Little Horsethief Basin

We dropped a vehicle at the South Navarre TH on Friday, then continued 2 miles to the Summer Blossom TH. This scenic hiker-only trail leads up through Navarre Pass and wanders northward on grassy ridge crests to Deadman’s Pass. Along the way, we strolled up North Navarre Peak for a regional overview.

Upon retrieving our backpacks at the pass, we continued hiking to Little (East) Horsethief Basin and made camp on the alpine tundra (4.6 hours from TH).  Cooking water was found nearby in a trickling creek under a cap of ice.

Before dinner, Fay and Eileen and I scrambled up nearby Horsethief Peak (1.5 hours R.T. from camp).

Day 2: Little Horsethief Basin to Upper Miners Basin

On Saturday, we awoke to frozen water bottles and mid-teen temps. Our subsequent hike on up to Deadman’s Pass warmed us enough to thoroughly enjoy the view of Sunset Basin over the north side. In my way of thinking, this splendiferous basin is the finest high meadow in the Sawtooth Mountains and one of the finest in the Cascades. It seems a travesty that motorcycles are allowed here.

We continued hiking south to Miner’s Basin, then took a branch trail to a small, higher basin for our second camp (4.0 hours from Camp 1).

After setting up tents, we walked up to Lone Fir Pass between Ferry Peak and Uno Peak.  Two or three of us then proceeded to scramble up both peaks, which provide good summit views with modest effort (Class 1-2). Ferry has a more interesting summit block, whereas Uno provides better views of Lake Chelan.

Fay and I arrived back in camp at nightfall (4.3 hours R.T.) to find that Jim A and Eileen had a welcome fire going. We all stayed up late to soak in the warmth before retiring to frigid tents.

Day 3: Upper Miners Basin to South Navarre Trailhead

On Sunday, we awoke to more frozen bottles and even colder temps (around 10 degrees). Fay and I headed out early for the South Navarre TH, arriving around 10:00am (2.4 hours from Camp 2).  Eileen and Jim A had a leisurely morning and hiked out a couple hours behind us.

After Fay and I reached the TH, we dropped backpacks and made a quick sidetrip up nearby South Navarre Peak.  This was an easy hike up the south ridge to a rocky knob triangulated at 7870 feet and labeled with the peak name.  Interestingly, the older 7.5-minute topo shows a 7908-foot point about 1/2 mile to the north, on the same ridgeline.  These measured elevations indicate that the northern point is higher than the southern point.  However, the newer digital map shows that both points have an elevation of 7840+ feet.  Perhaps the older topo map had an erroneous elevation for the northern point.  A field check with a hand-level would be required to determine which point is actually higher.

We all met back at South Navarre TH shortly after noon, with a full dose of golden larches…and very happy to make a warm drive back to Chelan.

Route Map

Photo Gallery

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