Hozomeen Mountain: North Peak/Northeast Buttress

An exposed technical alpine rock climb in the remote northeast end of Ross Lake near the Canadian Border in North Cascades National Park.

getting there/approach

hozomeen ranger station

 

Option 1: Drive I-5 north to Bellingham exit 256, follow signs to Sumas, cross the border into Canada, and then take Transcanada Hwy 1 east.  Take exit 168 and drive 38 miles south on Silver Skagit Road to Trail of the Obelisk immediately across the border. 

Option 2: Drive I-5 north and the SR 20 east to Ross Lake Dam. Take the Ross Lake Resort water taxi to head of Ross Lake. 

From the Hozomeen Ranger Station hike approximately a quarter mile on "Trail of Obelisk"  to the border swath.  Leave the trail and proceed up the overgrown border swath east next passing a swamp.  At 4,000 ft follow the drainage of the creek the descends from 6,350-ft col north of Hozomeen Mountain.  Ascend approximately 3,000 feet to the col at 6,300 ft.  Camp at the col or in basin west of the divide.

skyline II trail

Drive Silver-Skagit road 34 miles to Skyline II trailhead and hike 8 miles on Skyline II trail and Hozomeen Ridge Trail on switchbacks to camping on ridge just beyond point 6350.  The "swath" route is much shorter but requires bushwhacking.

ascent

Follow ridgeline trail southward a couple miles to get to the base of Hozomeen Mountain gaining and loosing elevation.  Climb the northeast ridge of the peak on either rock or snow.

Descent

Descend the climbing route.

trip profile

  Time Starting
Elevation (ft)
Elevation
Gain (ft)
Length (mi)
Trailhead to Camp 5 1,620 4,680 3
Camp to Summit 5 6,300 3,000 3.5
Summit to Camp 4 8,066 1,400 3.5
Camp to Trailhead 5 6,300   3

notes

  • Route requires a border crossing. 
  • Previous experience with scrambling on exposed, loose rock is required.
  • Suitable Activities: Climbing
  • Climbing Category: Basic Alpine
  • Seasons: July, August
  • Weather: View weather forecast
  • Difficulty: Basic Alpine Climb, Technical 5, Strenuous 4
  • Length: 10.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 9,080 ft
  • 8,066 ft
  • Land Manager: North Cascades National Park
    Pasayten Wilderness
  • Parking Permit Required: None
  • Recommended Party Size: 6
  • Maximum Party Size: 6
  • Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 6
Map
  • USGS Hozomeen Mountain
  • USGS Skagit Peak
  • Green Trails Ross Lake No. 16
  • Trails Illustrated North Cascades National Park
Activities

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