Quartz Creek, Blethen Lake & Rooster Mountain

getting there

Take Exit 34 off of I-90 and turn left onto 468 Ave SE. In a half mile, turn right onto SE Middle Fork Road (Forest Road 56). Drive 12 miles to the Middle Fork Trailhead and then another mile to the Snoqualmie Lake Trailhead (1,100 ft). Road conditions may dictate parking at the Middle Fork Trailhead or along the road to the Snoqualmie Lake Trailhead.

on the trail

Quartz Creek & Blethen Lake

10-11 miles round trip, 2,000-2,500 feet of elevation gain

Hike mainly on decommissioned logging road, with creek crossings at former culvert sites that may be challenging with recent heavy rain or snowmelt. Thsi hikes is described on wta.org as 11 miles round trip with 2,550 feet of elevation gain gain, and in Day Hiking Snoqualmie Region. 1st ed. by Dan Nelson as 10 miles round trip with 2,000 feet of elevation gain.

scramble route

PAPERBOY MOUNTAIN

11 MILES ROUND TRIP, 3900' OF ELEVATION GAIN, DIFFICULTY: WINTER
SCRAMBLE OR STRENUOUS 4, TECHNICAL 2

Follow the route as described for ROOSTER Mountain, but stay left at
2400' (~2.3miles), leaving the gravel roadway for the little-used trail
toward Lake Blethen.  At about 2900' (~3.75miles) make a right onto a
way-trail.  Shortly after a sharp right turn, at about 3200' (~4.1miles)
leave the "trail" heading NNW - the trail is almost completely overtaken
by brush so there's little to be gained by trying to follow it.  There
are a number of boulder fields which make for easier travel if there's
insufficient snow.   By about 3800' the trees thin enough for good
visibility and travel westward.  At 4200' (~5.0miles) there is a nice
ridge upward to a notch just SW of the summit of Paperboy. The final
ridgewalk is easy and the summit has great views.

The route from 3200' to 3800' is best done when snow covered due to
dense brush.

Quartz Mountain

6.0 miles round trip, 3,600 feet of elevation gain, difficulty: winter scramble

Rooster Mountain/The Ark (5,339 ft)

11.0 miles round trip, 4,200 feet of elevation gain, difficulty: Strenuous 4, Technical 3 or winter scramble

Follow the Snoqualmie Lake Trail to the intersection of the Quartz Creek Trail.  Follow the Quartz Creek Trail as it parallels the creek.  At ~2,400 ft, it switchbacks up the hillside.  Leave trail at any time and head either directly to the west ridge (which requires crossing the creek), or southeast to the south ridge. Scramble either ridge to the summit.

Historically this peak has been called Rooster Mountain and is labelled "(Rooster Mountain)" on the Green Trails Middle Fork Snoquamie map, but peakbagger.com and other recent references refer to it as "The Ark."

notes

• Guidebook: Day Hiking Snoqualmie Region, 1st ed. by Dan Nelson (Mountaineers Books, 2007).

• Suitable Activities: Scrambling
• Seasons: Year-round
• Weather: View weather forecast

• Difficulty: Strenuous 4, Technical 3
• Length: 11.0 mi
• Elevation Gain: 4,200 ft
• High Point: 5,339 ft

• Land Manager: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
  Snoqualmie Ranger District (MBSNF)
• Parking Permit Required: Northwest Forest Pass
• Recommended Party Size: 12
• Maximum Party Size: 12
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12