Trip Date: September 22-26, 2010

GOLDEN LARCH OUTING:  PASAYTEN MOUNTAINS

Lost Peak Climbing Trip & Shellrock Pass Loop: Pasayten River to Monument Creek

Robinson Pass
Fred’s Lake
Rolo Pass
Lake Doris
Shellrock Basin
Shellrock Pass
Butte Pass
Pass Butte (8140 ft)
Lost Peak (8464 ft)
Lake of the Woods
Pistol Pass
Northwest Pistol Peak (7749 ft) attempt

Trip Report Summary

Region: Northeastern Washington Cascades

Sub-Region: Pasayten Mountains

Area: Pasayten Wilderness

Starting Point: Robinson Creek Trailhead on Lost River Road (Elev. 2550 feet)

Way Points: Robinson Creek & Robinson Pass & Middle Fork Pasayten River & Fred’s Lake & Rolo Pass & Upper Eureka Creek & Shellrock Basin & Shellrock Pass & North Monument Creek Pond & Butte Pass & Pass Butte summit & Lost Peak summit & Monument Creek & Clint’s Cabin & Creek of the Woods & Lake of the Woods & Pistol Pass & Pistol Ridge & Eureka Falls Camp & Eureka Creek Ford & Lost River Valley (trail hike & off-trail hike & rock scramble)

Ending Point: Monument Trailhead on Lost River Road (Elev. 2400 feet)

Campsites: Middle Fork Pasayten River Flats & North Monument Creek Pond & Lake of the Woods & Eureka Falls Camp

Sidetrip: Lake Doris (trail hike)

Summit: Pass Butte (rock scramble via West Ridge)

Summit: Lost Peak (rock scramble via Northwest Ridge; descent via Southwest Ridge)

Summit Attempt: Northwest Pistol Peak (rock scramble to false summit via Southwest Ridge)

Approximate Stats: 42.5 miles traveled; 13,500 feet gained; 13,650 feet lost.

Related Post

>>> Monument Peak + Lake Mtn via Pistol Pass—Lake of the Woods – September 2009

>>> Osceola Peak + Mt. Rolo + Lake Doris via Rolo Pass – October 2005

Full Trip Report

I completed a wonderful 5-day swing through the center of the Pasayten Wilderness with Eileen, Fay, Doug H, Kevin W, Kevin K, Maria, and Lisa L (who joined us for the second half). Our weather pretty well matched the forecast: it ran the gamut from warm and sunny to cold and snowy. The higher larches were golden but not quite at their prime. We also experienced a few mishaps along the way. Thanks to a great group, though, it was a fun and successful trip.

Day 1: Robinson Creek Trailhead to Pasayten River Flats

We dropped a car at the Monument Trailhead, then drove 2 miles up-valley to the Robinson Creek Trailhead. Under sunny skies, the 9-mile hike to Robinson Pass went quickly. We descended the other side about 3 miles to reach a campsite beside the Middle Fork Pasayten River shortly before dark.

Day 2: Pasayten River Flats to North Monument Creek Pond

It rained briefly during the night, and intermittent showers continued all day long. We hiked farther down-river, then up past Fred’s Lake and over 7100’ Rolo Pass. Several of us made a sidetrip to Lake Doris before dropping to Upper Eureka Creek and over to fog-bound Shellrock Basin, then up to 7500’ Shellrock Pass. Mt Lago, Blackcap Peak, and other surrounding peaks wafted in and out of view at the whim of the low-hanging clouds.

From Shellrock Pass, we dropped into North Monument Creek Basin and set up camp next to a pond just at nightfall. Eileen coaxed some welcome flames from soggy wood, which helped ease the damp chill, but we all retired early to the sound of spitting rain and sleet.

Day 3: North Monument Creek Pond to Lake of the Woods

At 7:00am, I peered out of the tent, fearing the worst. What a delight it was to see morning sun on snow-dusted rocks and heather!

We had a group breakfast before Fay packed up and headed off to climb Trailblazer Peak and Many Trails Peak. An hour later, the rest of us followed her tracks up to Butte Pass for views, then we split into two groups.

Maria and Eileen planned to hike down the Monument Creek Trail and back up to Lake of the Woods.

Meanwhile, Doug, the Kevins, and I did a carryover ascent of Pass Butte and Lost Peak. The high ridges were snowy, cold, and wind-blasted, making for a “full conditions” feel on this technically easy climb.

While descending the west ridge, we made radio contact with Eileen and Maria, who were heading cross-country to Lake of the Woods but having trouble finding the lake among the dense forest.

We eventually all hooked up on the trail and finished the day by headlamp. Lisa was waiting for us at the lake, next to a welcome fire, after having hiked up Pistol Ridge earlier in the day. Our eighth member, Fay, was camped way up Monument Creek this cold night.

Day 4: Lake of the Woods to Eureka Falls Camp

We awoke to blue skies and mild temps. Lisa, Kevin, Kevin, and Doug scrambled up Lake Mountain after breakfast while Maria, Eileen and I packed up and headed over Pistol Pass.

This was our first day for really good views, and we soaked it in. Eileen and I made a sidetrip 95 percent of the way up North Pistol Peak but got stymied on the false summit–-DOH!

By 3:00pm, our Lake Mountain contingent and Fay had come over Pistol Pass, so all eight of us were able to reconnect on Pistol Ridge. We descended the abandoned ridge-crest trail to a large, inviting campsite at the confluence of Lost River and Eureka Creek. Everyone was a good sport about eating dinner in the dark…for the fourth consecutive night.

Day 5: Eureka Falls Camp to Monument Trailhead

We had a leisurely morning in camp before making the easy ford of Eureka Creek and hiking out to the Monument Trailhead. Having only a short hike on this sunny morning was a delightful ending to this terrific trip.

Route Map & Profile

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Photo Gallery

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