Sinister Peak/Northwest Face
An attractive basic climb on a remote peak along the Ptarmigan Traverse in the Glacier Peak Wilderness, close enough to Dome Peak to allow a two-peak itinerary.
Temporary Closure
4/15/21 Update: In the aftermath of the Downey Mountain fire in 2020, the Suiattle River Road is closed west of Downey Creek, at about mile 19. This closure includes all trails beyond the road closure: Downey Creek Trail (No. 768), Sulphur Creek Trail (No. 793), Sulphur Mountain Trail (No. 794), Suiattle River Trail (No. 784), Bachelor Creek Trail (No. 796), and the Sulphur Creek Campground. Please check with the Darrington Ranger District for the most up to date information.
getting there
Take Exit 208 (Arlington) off of I-5 and drive 32 miles east on SR-530 through Darrington. Continue 7 miles to the Suiattle River Rd and drive approximately 21 miles to the Downey Creek Campground and the Downey Creek Trailhead.
Approach
Follow the Downey Creek Trail 6.5 miles to Sixmile Camp. Locate and follow a trail easterly along the north side of Bachelor Creek to where it crosses the creek at 3,700 ft (approximately 9.5 miles). Follow the trail into a dense, brushy thicket where it turns sharply left (east) and ascends the valley near the creek and then through timber and steep switchbacks to Cub Lake Pass (6,000 ft), northwest of Cub Lake. Descend to Cub Lake and follow the path around the lake and steeply up to Itswoot Ridge.
Ascent
From Itswoot ridge, traverse east across heather, snow and scree. Ascend the gullies and bear right (east), rising to meet the Dome Glacier on its northwest side. Ascend to the N shoulder of Dome, and the Dome-Chickamin Glacier Col, approximately 8,500 ft. Descend the Chickamin Glacier northeasterly to 7,200 ft where you can traverse right and climb to the 7,640 ft Dome-Sinister col; a bergshrund may pose problems in late season. From the col, climb moderate snow on the NW face, ending with an easy scramble (Class 2-3) to the summit (8,440 ft).
TRIP PROFILE
SEGMENT |
TIME (HOURS) |
ELEVATION GAIN (FeeT) |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle to Trailhead | 2.5 | 1450 |
| Trailhead to Camp 1 | 8-9 | 3900 |
| Camp 1 to Camp 2 | 3-4 | 3450 |
| Camp to Summit | 6 | -1600, +1300 |
| Summit to Cars | 12 | -7000 |
Equipment
Standard glacier travel gear.
- Suitable Activities: Climbing
- Climbing Category: Basic Alpine
- Seasons: June, July, August, September
- Weather: View weather forecast
- View avalanche forecast.
- Difficulty: Basic Glacier Climb
- Length: 35.0 None
- Elevation Gain: 11,400 ft
- 8,440 ft
-
Land Manager:
Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Glacier Peak Wilderness, Darrington Ranger District (MBSNF)
- Parking Permit Required: Northwest Forest Pass
- Recommended Party Size: 6
- Maximum Party Size: 12
- Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12
- USGS Dome Peak
- USGS Downey Mtn
- Green Trails Cascade Pass No. 80
- Trails Illustrated North Cascades National Park
Upcoming Activities
Basic Glacier Climb - Sinister Peak/Northwest Face
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