Trip Date: August 12-14, 2016
Mt. Daniel Climbing Trip
Squaw Lake
Cathedral Pass
Peggy’s Pond
Circle Lake
Mount Daniel: east peak aka Daniels Benchmark (7899 ft)
Mount Daniel: middle peak (7960+ ft)
Mount Daniel: west peak (7986 ft)
Trip Report Summary
Region: Central Washington Cascades
Sub-Region: Snoqualmie Range
Area: Alpine Lakes Wilderness
Starting & Ending Point: Tucquala Meadows Trailhead at end of Cle Elum River Road (Elev. 3400 feet)
Way Points: Cle Elum River Bridge & Squaw Lake & Cathedral Pass & Peggy’s Pond & Circle Lake (trail hike & off-trail hike & rock scramble)
Campsite: Circle Lake
Sidetrip: Circle–Hyas Saddle (off-trail hike & rock scramble)
Summit: Mt. Daniel: east peak (rock scramble via South Ridge)
Summit: Mt. Daniel: middle peak (off-trail hike via Southeast Slope)
Summit: Mt. Daniel: west peak (off-trail hike & rock scramble via East Ridge)
Approximate Stats: 17 miles traveled; 6300 feet gained & lost.
Related Posts
>>> The Citadel via Circle Lake + Cathedral Rock – August 2009
>>> Dip Top Loop + Mt Daniel Carry-Over via Dip Top Gap–Lynch Glacier – July 1984
Full Trip Report
Over the past weekend, I tagged along with Deb, Sandra, Steve, Eileen, and Derek on a trip to Mt. Daniel, the centerpiece of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and the crown jewel of the Snoqualmie Range.
Day 1: Trailhead to Circle Lake
We all hiked in via Squaw Lake and Peggy’s Pond on Friday to establish a camp at Circle Lake, closely southeast of the mountain. The others left home in the morning, whereas I got a later start and arrived at their camp in the evening (3.5 hours + 3100 feet from TH). A banal name such as “Circle” might lead on to think that this lake is plain-Jane, but don’t believe it. Circle Lake is neither circular nor plain; it is a beautiful 6000-foot gem with a curvaceous shoreline and delightful meadows.
- Camp At Circle Lake
Cathedral Rock dominates the skyline to the east…
- Alpenglow On Cathedral Rock
…and The Cradle can be seen highlighted by evening sun a few ridges away. The lake’s shoreline consists of light-colored conglomeritic sandstone, which contrasts nicely with the dark green heather meadows.
- Cathedral Rock and The Cradle From Circle Lake
Day 2: Mt. Daniel Summit Climbs
On Saturday morning, we all headed up to the southeastern ridge of Mt. Daniel. Only from this higher vantage could we fully appreciate the whole of Circle Lake. The Citadel, a prominent rock fortress, seemed to stand guard over the lake.
- The Citadel Above Circle Lake
Farther along the ridge, Venus Lake and Spade Lake came into view. The latter was particularly enticing.
- Venus Lake and Spade Lake From Ridge
The southeast ridge gets progressively more sharp and jagged as you approach the east peak of Mt. Daniel, but it never involves more than Class 3 scrambling. At the last saddle below the east peak, the middle and west peaks (shown below) look quite far away.
- West Peak and Middle Peak From SE Ridge
We continued up to the 7899-foot east peak (“Daniels” Benchmark) for a late-morning break. This sub-summit provides a striking view of Bears Breast Mountain, with its steeply dipping sandstone layers separated by snow chutes. Because the USGS benchmark was placed here, many climbers firmly believe that this must be the true summit of Mt. Daniel, even though the other two peaks are clearly higher.
After descending from the east peak, we gained a climber’s path leading up to the 7960-foot-plus middle peak. The lunar-esque landscape here seemed out of place with an alpine mountain in the Central Cascades.
- West Peak and Middle Peak From East Peak
The climb of the 7986-foot west peak (true summit) finishes with a pleasant little Class 3 scramble, and we were all on top by 1:15pm (4.1 hours + 2400 feet from camp). Considering that Mt. Daniel is the highest summit contained within the geographic polygon formed by Glacier Peak, Mt. Stuart, Mt. Rainier, and Mt. Olympus, one would rightfully expect outstanding views. We were not disappointed.
- Scrambling Up West Peak
This climb served as an annual birthday trip for both Deb and Sandra, and Mt. Daniel was indeed a worthy birthday summit. I didn’t ask how old they are, but judging by the spring in their steps, I would guess that Deb just turned 21 and Sandra just turned 22.
- Summit Of West Peak
The last time I climbed Mt. Daniel (32 years ago), Pea Soup Lake looked very much like split-pea soup; it was a small, homely, opaque, milky green puddle half-filled with dirty ice chunks. Now, perhaps due to glacial recession, it is just another large, gorgeous, azure, alpine lake. Perhaps it will be renamed “Blueberry Soup Lake” someday.
- Dip Top Gap and Pea Soup Lake From West Peak
In mid-afternoon, we headed back to Circle Lake (2.8 hours from west peak) and spent a couple hours basking on the shoreline. Eileen made mountain margaritas, using snow from a nearby snowfield. A couple of those will take the edge off an 80-degree day!
- Circle Lake From SE Ridge
Later in the day, some thunderheads started to build over Mt. Stuart, but they dissipated before creating any havoc.
- Storm Clouds Over Mount Stuart
Day 3: Circle Lake to Trailhead
On Sunday morning, we all packed up camp. Steve, Deb, Sandra, and Eileen headed south to Lake Vicente as part of a 5-day peak-and-lake loop. Meanwhile, Derek and I hiked back down to Peggy’s Pond and out to the trailhead, arriving shortly after noon (3.4 hours + 650 feet from camp).
Route Map & Profile
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Photo Gallery
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