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Old Desolate

Trip

Alpine Scramble - Old Desolate & Crescent Mountain

Camp two nights at Yellowstone Cliffs Camp, using it as a base to scramble Crescent Peak and Old Desolate - Rainier 100 scramble peaks. With the Carbon River entrance closed, our approach will be from the Rd 73 entrance via the Lake Eleanor Trail. Given that they are deep into the north side of the park — the success of our trip will rely on everyone’s willingness to work together as a team.

Contacts

Michelle Peterson
Michelle Peterson
Primary Leader
  • Technical 3, Strenuous 5
  • Challenging
  • Mileage: 34.0
  • Elevation Gain: 7,500 ft
  • High Point Elevation: 7,141 ft
  • Pace: on trail 2mph avg; off trail 1 mph avg
  • 3 (3 capacity)
  • 2 (2 capacity)
  • Thu, Jul 3, 2025 at 7:05 AM
  • Fri, Jul 11, 2025 at 5:00 PM
  • Cancellation & Refund Policy
  • iCal Google

Click [MORE+] to review all notes before requesting leader’s permission:

I have an overnight permit for both Sunday and Monday nights at Yellowstone Cliffs Camp. We will meet at the Lake Eleanor Trailhead (Rd 73) on Sunday — time to be determined — and hike in via the Lake Eleanor Trail to connect with the Northern Loop Trail and reach our camp (approximately 12.5 miles in, with an elevation range of 3,170' to 5,815' and total gain/loss of +4,034'/-3,519'). We’ll camp together, using the climber’s method of a pre-organized list of group gear — water purification, stoves, fuel, and sharing tents to lighten our packs.

This will allow us a full day Monday to scramble Crescent Mountain, then travel cross-country through Vernal Park to reach the peak of Old Desolate (about 4.4 miles from camp, elevation range 5,076' to 7,137', with +2,846' and -787'). The terrain includes variable snow conditions, talus fields, loose scree, boot paths, and heather-covered areas. Helmets, ice axe, and crampons are required. Participants must be confident with self-arrest and comfortable navigating exposed, technical scrambling terrain. If all goes well, we’ll retrace our route back to camp. Tuesday morning we will pack up and hike out to the Lake Eleanor Trailhead on Rd 73. Plan for approximately 34 miles round trip with a cumulative elevation gain of about 7,500 feet.

Required Experience:

  • More than two previous overnight trips that involved using a sleep system, meal preparation, and gear management.
  • At least three previous significant scrambles.

Leadership & Conditions:

My leadership style is collaborative and team-focused — we will be all-in for route finding, group gear sharing, and looking out for each other. This trip involves off-trail travel, snow travel, and challenging route finding. Good physical conditioning, flexibility, and a cooperative mindset are essential.

Request Leader’s Permission:

Request Leader’s Permission with this link:  2025 Crescent & Desolate Leader Permission Request

(copy and paste https://forms.gle/Kg7WQ3EtWSB2yaSA9 if the click doesn’t work)

I will be picking up the permit Saturday afternoon and car camping on Rd 73 near the trailhead. We will meet at the Lake Eleanor Trailhead (Rd 73) on Sunday, July 13 at 7 AM — please arrive early enough to be geared up and ready to start hiking. Carpooling is encouraged.

Route/Place

Old Desolate

Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

  • The Ten Essentials
  • Helmet
  • Mountaineering Boots
  • Ice Axe
  • Crampons

  • Alpine scramble and overnight gear, which may include:

    • Tent with footprint/ground tarp
    • Stove and fuel
    • Sleeping bag
    • Sleeping pad
    • Water filter
    • Blue bag to deal with waste (there is a pit toilet at the campground)
    • Cooking pot/pan with plate and utensils
    • Bear canister if camp is snow-covered, or an extra stuff sack and cord designated for hanging food

    You are responsible for preparing your own food caches in accordance with Mt. Rainier National Park guidelines. Find the park’s guidelines here.

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