Trip Date: June 20, 2008
The Snoqualmie Tooth Day Climb
Source Lake
Pineapple Basin aka Great Scott Basin
Pineapple Pass
The Snoqualmie Tooth aka The Denny Tooth aka The Tooth (5604 ft)
Trip Report Summary
Region: Central Washington Cascades
Sub-Region: Snoqualmie Range
Area: Mt. Baker – Snoqualmie National Forest
Starting & Ending Point: Alpental Ski Area upper parking lot at end of Alpental Road (Elev. 3250 feet)
Way Points: Alpental Valley & Source Lake & Pineapple / Great Scott Basin & Pineapple Pass (snow hike & snow climb)
Summit: The Snoqualmie Tooth (rock climb via South Face)
Approximate Stats: 4.0 miles traveled; 2450 feet gained & lost; 5.8 hours up; 3.0 hours down.
Related Post
>>> The Snoqualmie Tooth via South Face – May 11, 2013
Full Trip Report
Steve and Eileen and I took advantage of last Friday’s excellent weather by climbing The Snoqualmie Tooth near the head of Alpental Valley. None of us had ever done this close-to-home classic before, so it was high time.
Leaving from the upper parking lot at Alpental, we hiked up-valley to Source Lake, then turned left and booted up to Pineapple Basin.
- Eileen and Steve In Pineapple Basin
We then climbed up to Pineapple Pass, which had a tricky moat crossing, and scrambled over to the base of The Tooth.
- Crossing Moat At Pineapple Pass
We chose the very popular South Face route, as did 15 or 20 other climbers on this sunny day. Fortunately, our timing happened to fit in nicely between a larger party ahead and a smaller party behind, so there was really no delay or pressure.
- Looking Up South Face Of The Snoqualmie Tooth
As for the route itself, it was four pitches of delightful alpine rock up to Class 5.4 with good protection almost everywhere. We all agreed that the crux was the dramatically exposed “Catwalk” at the top of Pitch 4. (My kitty-cat, however, would probably vote for Pitch 2 as the crux.)
- Steve and Eileen On Pitch 1
- Eileen On Pitch 2
- Eileen On Pitch 4
Surprisingly, we had the summit all to ourselves and were able to savor views of the Snoqualmie Mountains around us.
- Steve and Eileen On Summit
- Chair Peak from the Summit of The Tooth
- Snoqualmie Mountain from the Summit
Four double-rope rappels from well-equipped anchor stations got us back down to Pineapple Pass.
- Eileen On Second Rappel
Photo Gallery
Click to enlarge…
