Sasse Mountain & Howson Peak

getting there

Take Exit 80 off of I-90 and drive north on Bullfrog Road. Turn right onto SR-903 (Salmon La Sac Road) at the round-about and drive through Roslyn. Continue 12 miles to the French  Cabin Creek Sno-Park just past the Cle Elum River Campground (2,300 ft).

As of February 2022, the parking area along Salmon La Sac road by the Cle Elum River Campground has been designated a temporary non-motorized Sno-Park permit. Please check the Washington State Sno-Parks page for up-to-date information about parking requirements.

approach & ascent

sasse mountain (5,730 ft)

Sasse Mountain is gentle enough that there are multiple scramble routes to the summit in winter. All of them start and end at the Sno-Park. A favorite ascent route follows the trail to where it crosses Howson Creek. Instead of crossing the creek turn southeast and follow the ridge to Point 5159. From there, run the ridge in a counter-clockwise arc to Howson Peak (aka Point 5350) and on to Sasse Mountain if the cornices allow it.

Howson Peak (5,468 ft)

Start on the abandoned Howson Creek Trail heading out of the flat to the east.  Follow it until it heads around into the valley of Howson Creek, then ascend open forest to Point 5159, descend to the saddle to the east, and continue up to Howson Peak.

descent

sasse mountain

A favorite winter descent route heads west to Point 5335 and then mostly west until you pick up the trail near where it crosses Howson Creek. Another option is to descend by way of the logging roads slightly farther north.

howson peak

Return by reversing the ascent route.

• Suitable Activities: Scrambling
• Seasons: January, February, March, December
• Weather: View weather forecast
• View avalanche forecast.

• Difficulty: Winter Scramble
• Length: 8.0 mi
• Elevation Gain: 3,500 ft
• High Point: 5,730 ft

• Land Manager: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forests
  Cle Elum Ranger District (OWNF)
• Parking Permit Required: Northwest Forest Pass
• Recommended Party Size: 12
• Maximum Party Size: 12
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12