Lemah Mountain/Southeast Approach

getting there

Take Exit 80 (Roslyn/Salmon la Sac) off of I-90. Turn left (north) on SR-903/Salmon la Sac Road and continue 16.8 miles through Roslyn and past Cle Elum Lake. Turn left (west) on Forest Road 46 and follow 4.7 miles. Turn right on Forest Road 4616 and continue 1 mile to the trailhead.

Approach & Ascent

From the trailhead at the north end of Cooper Lake hike along the Cooper River 4 miles to Pete Lake and a further 4 miles to the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) intersection and then less than a mile south on the PCT to the Lemah creek crossing.  Look for a climber's trail on the north side of the creek and follow this past a series of waterfalls and swimming holes to the meadow where Lemah Creek becomes a series of shallow ponds at ~3,600 ft.  Camp at the far end beyond a fearsome thicket of slide alder which can be bypassed in the timber north of the meadow. 

From camp, follow the creek up the valley until ~5,000 ft where the glacier finger terminates, climb to ~6,200 ft, and exit to the south (left), climbing a small cliff to glacial remnants which extend on the southeast side of Lemah Mountain.  Traverse until just southwest of the main Lemah Mountain summit, and then climb a series of cliff bands (Class 2-3) to a col between Lemah 2 (incorrectly marked on USGS as Lemah Mtn), and Lemah Main. From this col, climb north towards the summit block, until ~30 feet below the true summit. Traverse to the west and climb the summit block from the northwest ridge (Class 2).

Notes

• This is an interesting mountain with a nice variety of challenges including route finding.
• Crampons and ice axes are recommenced for all seasons.
• Summit day is a long day, so be prepared to come out in the dark if doing this in two days.

• Climbing Category: Basic Alpine
• Seasons: June, July, August, September
• Weather: View weather forecast

• Elevation Gain: 5,500 ft
• High Point: 7,480 ft

• Land Manager: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
  Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Cle Elum Ranger District (OWNF)
• Parking Permit Required: Northwest Forest Pass
• Recommended Party Size: 6
• Maximum Party Size: 12
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12