September 9-14, 1981

Ptarmigan Mountains Climbing Trip & Ptarmigan Traverse: Cascade Pass to Suiattle River

Cascade Pass
Cache Col
Kool-Aid Lake
Magic Mountain (7610′)
Spider–Formidable Col
Yang Yang Lakes
Sentinel Pass
Lizard Pass
White Rock Lakes
Downey Creek Saddle
Downey Creek

—————– Trip Report Summary —————–

Region: North-Central Washington Cascades

Sub-Region: Ptarmigan Mountains

Areas: North Cascades National Park & Glacier Peak Wilderness

Starting Point: Cascade River Road washout blockage

Way Points: Cascade River Vehicle Bridge & Cascade Pass Trailhead (road walk); Cascade Pass & Cache Glacier & Cache Col & Kool-Aid Lake & Middle Cascade Glacier & Spider–Formidable Col & Yang Yang Lakes & LeConte Ridge & LeConte Glacier & Sentinel Pass & South Cascade Glacier & Lizard Pass & White Rock Lakes & Downey Creek Saddle & Upper Downey Creek & Lower Downey Creek (trail hike & off-trail hike & rock scramble & snow climb)

Ending Point: Downey Creek Trailhead (Suiattle River Road)

Campsites: Cascade Pass Trailhead parking lot & Kool-Aid Lake & Yang Yang Lakes & White Rock Lakes & Upper Downey Creek

Summit: Magic Mountain (ascent & descent via Southwest Slope)

Approximate Total Stats (excluding sidetrip): 34 miles traveled; 13,000 feet gained; 15,000 feet lost.

Approximate Total Stats (including sidetrip): 35 miles traveled; 14,500 feet gained; 16,500 feet lost.

——————– Related Posts ——————–

>>> Ptarmigan Traverse + Dome Peak – August 2021

>>> Ptarmigan Traverse + Hurry-Up Peak + LeConte Mtn + Old Guard Peak + Dome Peak – August 2012

>>> Downey Creek Loop + Mt Bruseth + Sentinel Peak + Spire Point + Dome Peak – June 2005

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

Forbidden Peak and Sahale Arm From Mixup Arm

Freeman and Sherrill Climbing Toward Cache Col

Sherrill Downclimbing Moat At Cache Col

Spider Mtn and Mt Formidable From Cache Col

Descending To KoolAid Lake

Sherrill and Freeman On Middle Cascade Glacier

LeConte Glacier From Spider-Formidable Col

Yang Yang Lakes Below LeConte Mtn

Spider Mtn Ridge From Yang Yang Lakes

Freeman and Sherrill On LeConte Glacier

Dome Peak From Lizard Pass

Descending To White Rock Lakes

Morning sun lights up Gunsight Peak and Chikamin Glacier and Dome Peak from camp at White Rock Lakes during the Ptarmigan Traverse

Gunsight Peak and Dome Peak viewed from White Rock Lakes on the Ptarmigan Traverse

Spire Point and Dana Glacier From White Rock Lakes

Dome Peak From Downey Creek Saddle

White Rock Lakes From Downey Creek Saddle

Mt Bruseth From Downey Creek Saddle

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