July 27, 2002

Mt. Washington Day Climb

Big Creek Basin
Mount Washington (6255′)

—————– Trip Report Summary —————–

Region: Olympic Mountains (Washington)

Sub-Region: Skokomish – Duckabush Group

Area: Olympic National Forest

Starting & Ending Point: Mt. Washington Climber’s Trailhead (Big Creek Road)

Way Points: Big Creek Basin (trail hike & rock scramble)

Summit: Mt. Washington (ascent & descent via South Ledges—Southwest Ridge [Route 1A] )

Approximate Stats: 3 miles traveled; 3300 feet gained & lost; 2.0 hours up; 1.8 hours down.

————- Full Trip Report ——————

Jon and I set out from Fauntleroy on a foggy Saturday morning with a plan to climb Mt. Washington, one the the major peaks in the Olympic Mountains.  As inauspicious as the whether looked from here, it graciously cleared up by the time we reached the start of the climber’s path on Big Creek Road.

We jumped onto the path and began a steep ascent through light forest and light brush, working our way into Big Creek Basin.  Some scrambling took us to the summit ridge, then we scrambled along the Class 2-3 crest to gain the summit (2.0 hours from TH).  The sky above was clear, but low fog hugged the Puget Sound Basin.

When climbing Mt. Washington from Big Creek Road, it is never apparent why this mountain was so named.  Was it merely an honorary moniker?  Actually, No.  When viewed from a more distant northern or southern vantage, the name source becomes quite clear. The following photo of the mountain seen from Lake Cushman, juxtaposed with a state highway sign, illustrates the matter perfectly.

————- Photo Gallery (click to enlarge) ——————