Trip Date: March 12, 2020
Updated: January 2024
Mt. Laura Snowshoe Climb
Rocky Run Culvert
Twin Lakes Creek
Mount Laura (5606 ft)
Trip Report Summary
Region: Central Washington Cascades
Sub-Region: Keechelus Mountains
Areas: Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest & Alpine Lakes Wilderness
Starting & Ending Point: South Gold Creek Sno-Park at plowed end of Road 4832 (Elev. 2580 feet)
Way Points: Lower Dungeon Road Junction & Rocky Run Connector Trailhead & Upper Dungeon Road 4832-141 & Rocky Run Culvert & Road 4832-136 Junction & Twin Lakes Creek (snow hike & snowshoe hike)
Summit: Mt. Laura (snow climb via West Couloir—South Ridge)
Approximate Stats: 7.4 miles traveled; 3300 feet gained & lost; 4.7 hours up; 3.2 hours down.
Related Posts
>>> Dungeon Point Snowshoe/Ski Ascent & Rock Run Ski Loop – detailed route description
>>> Mt. Margaret Ski Ascent & Descent via Rocky Run–West Slope – February 2013
Information Sources
The following links provide helpful information for planning this snowshoe trek or ski tour. Even these information sources, however, should not be taken as a substitute for having the fitness, knowledge, equipment, and clothing required for snowshoe trekking or ski touring.
>>> WSDOT road reports for Interstate-90 and Snoqualmie Pass
>>> National Weather Service weather forecast for Snoqualmie Pass area
>>> Northwest Avalanche Center avalanche forecast for Snoqualmie Pass area
>>> Other easy to intermediate ski tours in the I-90 / Snoqualmie Pass corridor
>>> Other easy to intermediate snowshoe treks in the I-90 / Snoqualmie Pass corridor
Full Trip Report
Lisa joined me on a partly sunny Thursday for a snow climb of Mt. Laura in the Keechelus Mountains. “Mt. Laura” is a provisional name for the 5606-foot peak located immediately east of Lake Laura and serving as the topographic twin sister of nearby Mt. Margaret. It turned out to be an excellent destination.
Starting from the South Gold Creek Sno-Park, we basically took the winter route to Lake Laura. This involved hiking up Lower Dungeon Road for 1 mile on crusty snow, then continuing up the Rocky Run Connector Trail, following blue diamonds as best we could. Given the hard crust, our snowshoes were not needed, but crampons would have been handy. We eventually intersected Upper Dungeon Road and got our first view of the objective peak.
A short march down Upper Dungeon Road took us across the Rocky Run culvert (1.8 hours + 1150 feet from car), then we turned sharply northward on Rocky Run Spur Road 4832-136. When the road pinched out near Twin Lakes Creek, we booted up a snow chute, crossed the creek, and then began a rising traverse through moderately steep forest. At an elevation around 4300 feet, we popped out of the forest and found ourselves near the bottom of a glorious snow couloir on Mt. Laura’s west slope. This couloir provides an incredibly inviting avenue to the south ridge crest—just like throwing out a welcome mat!
The west couloir led us upward for 1200 feet on a combination of hard crust and wind slab. In good snow conditions, this would make a nice ski run, but that’s not what we had today. On the positive side, snow conditions were quite stable.
Near the top of the couloir, we worked over to our left to gain the peak’s south ridge. Views improved with every step, and the summit dome soon came into sight.
We angled up the ridge crest until very close to the summit, but the boilerplate crust required that I cut steps for the final 50 yards—a slow process. Yes, crampons would have been very handy here! After much tedious chopping, we stepped onto the summit snow dome in mid-afternoon (4.7 hours + 3200 feet from car).
Swirling clouds overhead created a constantly changing pattern of sunlight and shade on the surrounding peaks. The nearby Keechelus Mountains and Snoqualmie Mountains dominated our summit views.
For our descent, it was easy to heel-plunge our up-route on the “styrofoamic snow.” Way too firm and steep for glissading, however.
By the time we crossed over Rocky Run and started down the connector trail, the snow had turned to bottomless mush. Our snowshoes were badly needed here to prevent wallowing. Thankfully, Lower Dungeon Road went quickly, and we arrived back at the sno-park by early evening (3.2 hours + 100 feet from summit) to end a splendid day.
Equipment Comments
The ascent of Mt. Laura is better suited to mountain snowshoes than simple trail snowshoes, due to the presence of steep slopes at several places along the route. Trekking poles are highly recommended, and an ice axe is advantageous if snow conditions are hard or crusty.
If I were doing this ascent on skis, I would use my backcountry telemark touring setup. This comprises telemark skis with a fishscale base, along with plastic telemark boots and full-length climbing skins. Alpine touring (AT, or randonnee) skis and boots can also be used, of course. In either case, I would be inclined to return to the sno-park via the Rocky Run Loop rather than retracing my up-route.
For more information regarding the various equipment that I used for this particular trip or that I might use for this type of trip, see my gear discussions and reviews on the following pages:
>>> Trail & Mountain Snowshoes
>>> Backcountry Telemark Ski Touring Gear
>>> Backcountry Ski & Snowshoe Packs
>>> Wintertime Comfort Accessories
Route Maps & Profile
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Photo Gallery
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