Trip Date: August 15-16, 2009
The Citadel & Cathedral Rock Climbing Trip
Squaw Lake
Cathedral Pass
Peggy’s Pond
Circle Lake
The Citadel (7120+ ft)
Cathedral Rock (6724 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)
Campsite: Circle Lake
Summit: The Citadel (rock scramble via Northeast Slope—North Ridge)
Summit: Cathedral Rock (rock scramble & rock climb via South Face—Southwest Gully—West Face)
Approximate Stats: 15 miles traveled; 6300 feet gained & lost.
Related Posts
>>> Mt. Daniel (east + middle + west peaks) via Peggy’s Pond—Circle Lake – August 2016
>>> Deception Pass Loop + Cathedral Rock via Southwest Face – September 27, 1987
Full Trip Report
I spent an “architectural crag” weekend in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness with Beth, Fay, John M, and Eileen. This trip was mostly just made up as we went along, but it turned out to be pure alpine joy from start to finish.
Day 1: Trailhead to Circle Lake + The Citadel Climb
On Saturday, we backpacked over Cathedral Pass and beyond Peggy’s Pond to reach Circle Lake (5.3 hours from TH).
- Traversing toward Circle Lake and The Citadel
After establishing camp near the outlet of this beautiful lake, we tossed together summit packs for a late-afternoon bid on The Citadel—an appropriately named rock bastion perched high above a cluster of attractive lakes. Our ascent from camp to the Citadel’s rocky base turned out to be nothing more than a pleasant alpine stroll.
- Looking Back At Circle Lake
From this point, we scrambled up the short north ridge (Class 3.5) and then rightward along the narrow summit crest on well-broken rock.
- Eileen ascending The Citadel
We all convened on the summit (1.0 hours from camp) and spent an hour on top, soaking up the salad days of August as best we could. A small ammo can held a summit register that went back several decades.
- Our group on The Citadel summit
Low clouds enveloped the Cascade crest, but it was clear to the east. Our descent involved one rappel down the north ridge, then a quick scurry back to camp.
- Rappel station on The Citadel
- Late sun on Cathedral Rock
Day 2: Circle Lake to Trailhead + Cathedral Rock Climb
On Sunday, we awoke to clear, blue skies. John had left early to climb Mt Daniel, whereas the rest of us headed back over to climb Cathedral Rock. This famous alpine crag, which had been on Eileen’s bucket list for about 20 years.
- Morning camp at Circle Lake
Starting from Cathedral Pass, we followed the varied and interesting Southwest Route up a series of faces, ridges, and gullies. The crux was a 100-foot pitch of Class 4+ rock on the west face, which Beth eagerly led, …
- Scrambling up Cathedral Rock
… followed by a Class 2-3 ridge scramble to the summit boulder (2.0 hours from pass). Here, the summit insects—some sort of winged annoyance—prevented a long stay.
- The Citadel from Cathedral Rock
We made two rappels down the crux face, then scrambled back to Cathedral Pass. John was waiting at the trailhead when we arrived in mid-afternoon (1.8 hours from pass).
Photo Gallery
Click to enlarge…
