A woman hiker sits on a white rock and looks across Ross Lake at Jack Mountain
Jack Mountain and Ross Lake viewed from Sourdough Mtn

Sourdough Mtn via South Ridge + Sourdough Trail Traverse + Sourdough Lookout (Stetattle Mountains, WA)

Trip Date: September 15-16, 2007

Sourdough Mountain Climbing Trip & Sourdough Trail Traverse:  Gorge Lake to Ross Lake

Diablo Overlook
Sourdough Mountain (6120’+)
Sourdough Lookout
Ross Dam

Trip Report Summary

Region: Northwestern Washington Cascades

Sub-Region: Stetattle Mountains

Areas: Ross Lake National Recreation Area & North Cascades National Park

Starting Point: Sourdough Mountain Trailhead at Diablo Townsite on Diablo Road (Elev. 1200 feet)

Way Points: Diablo Overlook & Sourdough Creek & Sourdough Knob & Sourdough Lookout & Pierce Mountain saddle & Ross Lake Overlook & Ross Lake & Ross Dam & Highway 20 (trail hike)

Ending Point: Ross Dam Trailhead on Highway 20 (Elev. 2150 feet)

Campsite: Sourdough Knob (Elev. 6000 feet)

Summit: Sourdough Mountain (off-trail hike & rock scramble via South Ridge)

Approximate Stats: 15.8 miles traveled; 6000 feet gained; 5050 feet lost.

Full Trip Report

I was delighted to do this backpacking traverse over Sourdough Mtn in the Stetattle Mountains with Eileen and Steve. After being sidelined most of the summer with a broken ankle, this was my first overnighter in ten weeks.  It was a dandy!

Day 1: Sourdough Trailhead to Sourdough Mountain

We dropped a car at the Ross Dam TH, then drove back to the Sourdough Mountain TH at Diablo. The weather was perfect for our hike up to the crest of Sourdough Ridge and our scramble northwesterly up to the 6120-foot summit of Sourdough Mountain.

Eileen above Diablo Lake
Colonial and Neve Glaciers From Sourdough Mtn
 
Eileen, Steve, and Ridge Crest Tarn

We dropped down from the summit and made camp on a 6000-foot rock knob overlooking a small tarn. From there, we enjoyed a cloudless, moonless night sky with more stars than I’ve seen in decades.

Ruby Mountain To Mt Buckner
Sunset On Jack Mountain
Southern Pickets Silhouette

Day 2: Sourdough Mountain to Ross Dam Trailhead

Awaking to a cool fog the next morning, we descended to historic Sourdough Lookout.

Hiking down Sourdough Ridge
Steve and Eileen At Sourdough Lookout Cabin

From the lookout cabin, we hiked eastward on the superb Pierce Mtn Way Trail.  This seldom-used trail took us through wafting fog and mossy carpets to Ross Lake.

Hiking Down Mossy Trail
Ross Lake Overlook

Near the shore of Ross Lake, our trail intersected the Big Beaver Trail.  We turned right and hiked along the shoreline, then crossed Ross Dam to reach our car just before rain set in.

Eileen and Steve On Ross Dam

Steve and I argued as to whether this constituted a loop or a traverse, but there was no dispute that it deserved two thumbs up.

Route Map & Profile

Sourdough Mtn Trail Traverse Route Map (CalTopo)

Sourdough Mtn Trail Traverse Route Profile

Click to enlarge…