Trip Date: October 14, 2006
Tomyhoi Peak Day Climb
Yellow Aster Lakes
Tomyhoi Peak (7435 ft)
Trip Report Summary
Region: Northwestern Washington Cascades
Sub-Region: Nooksack Mountains
Area: Mt. Baker Wilderness
Starting & Ending Point: Keep Kool Trailhead on Twin Lakes Road (Elev. 3150 feet)
Way Points: Yellow Aster Lakes & Tomyhoi Ridge (trail hike)
Summit: Tomyhoi Peak (trail hike & trail scramble & rock scramble via Southeast Ridge)
Approximate Stats: 14 miles traveled; 4800 feet gained & lost; 5.4 hours up; 4.9 hours down.
Full Trip Report
Eileen, Steve, and I did a climb of Tomyhoi Peak in the Nooksack Mountains on a mild fall day. We just missed the Indian Summer that visited earlier in the week; instead, we had off-and-on cloudcover, but dry weather and beautiful autumn color.
- Autumn Hillside and Rocks
- Mt Baker and Maple Leaves
We hiked up the well-maintained trail to Yellow Aster Lakes, then followed a remarkably well-defined path along the crest of Tomyhoi Ridge.
- Tomyhoi Peak and Yellow Aster Lakes
- Eileen On Tomyhoi Ridge
Views were marvelous the whole way, with Canadian and American Border Peaks towering to the east.
- Canadian Border Peak and American Border Peak
Eventually, our path faded in scree and rock above the Tomyhoi Glacier, and our climbing route became a bit confusing. After a couple false starts, we hit the right spot. This involved monkeying up a shallow moat between rock and ice to gain a pronounced notch in the jagged ridge, making a little exposed traverse around a rib, and scrambling up a V-shaped Class 3.5 slot.
- Eileen On Rock Crest
- American Border Peak and Mt Larrabee From Rock Crest
Easy ledges led to the false summit, from which the summit block looks pretty steep and intimidating. It turned out to be a delightful Class 3 scramble on solid rock! We topped out circa 3:15pm.
- Eileen Climbing Class 3 Face
The summit register had been placed by Fay Pullen and was nearly full. Obviously, this is a fairly popular summit.
- Steve and Eileen On Summit
- Mt Shuksan From Summit
For our descent, we down-climbed our up-route, using a rope for a safety belay at the Class 3.5 slot. Later, darkness caught us at Yellow Aster Lakes, so we completed the hike out by headlamp.
Hoping to cap off a great day in the mountains, we raced down to Milano’s for dinner, but arrived 5 minutes after closing time. Not to worry though; the kindly staff packaged up salads and hot lasagna, which we devoured while sitting on their outside bench!
Route Map
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Photo Gallery
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