Dan Arnold Hiking
  • Trips
  • Favorites
  • Photos
  • Gear

Glacier Peak Wilderness Circuit


Napeequa Valley in autumn from Boulder Pass in the Glacier Peak Wilderness Washington
The Glacier Peak Wilderness initially got my attention for its famed Ptarmigan Traverse mountaineering route.  After a month of boulder hopping in Wyoming and Montana I opted for something easier, taking a network of trails around the mountain (6 days, 100 miles).  I started the walk at the White River Trailhead and went over Boulder Pass the first day into the Napeequa
Napeequa Valley camp in Glacier Peak Wilderness Washington
The Napeequa is rugged and overgrown, felt more like an Alaskan valley
Butterfly Butte from the climb towards High Pass in the Glacier Peak Wilderness
The smoke from the California fires blew in overnight, the glaciated Butterfly Butte seen here in the distance
High Pass on the Glacier Peak Circuit walk
The trail from High Pass to Buck Creek Pass is probably the best on the circuit, the smoke however was at its worst
Daily totals for Glacier Peak Circuit walk
I did the walk counter-clockwise with a relaxed pace on the eastern side.  Extra distance was covered in the second half as the pack got lighter.  There would also be the option of climbing to Camp Lake on the western side and making the walk seven days
Glacier Peak Circuit Overview Map
Overview Map
Camping at Image Lake in the Glacier Peak Wilderness
I arrived early at Image Lake with a planned half day walk from Buck Creek Pass
Fall colors over a smoky Image Lake with a view of Glacier Peak in October Washington
Smoky sunset above Image Lake
Forest section on the hike
From Image Lake the remainder of the walk was on the Pacific Crest Trail, which had some beautiful forest sections
Glacier Peak from Grassy Point in Washington
Glacier Peak from Grassy Point
High camp on Grassy Point with a view of Glacier Peak
Just enough room on the summit for the tent
Grassy Ridge Trail with a view of Glacier Peak
Clear skies in the morning from Grassy Ridge
Walking along the Pacific Crest Trail
View from the Pacific Crest Trail near Glacier Ridge
Layers of forest on the Pacific Crest Trail
The final day was downhill into the forest along the Indian Creek Trail

Resources:  NatGeo Map, Climber Kyle

2022   2021   2020   2019   2018   2017   2016  2015   2014

Favorite Hikes
Photos
Current Gear
Complete List of Hikes
Photos, text and design by Dan Arnold
Contact: darnoldhiking@gmail.com

  • Trips
  • Favorites
  • Photos
  • Gear