Dark Peak by Bonanza Peak and Martin Peak is a satellite peak of the former. This obscure high point isn’t usually on the topic for the grand views. Instead, the “brushy approach” through Swamp Creek comes up in conversations. But it was a more enjoyable trip than last week.
See more trip photos here.
Dark Peak at a Glance
Access: Stehekin, Washington
Round Trip: 27.7 miles
Elevation Range: 1600′-8122′
Gear: helmet, crampons, ice ax
GPS Track: available
Dog-Friendly: no
Lake Chelan to High Bridge
Like Bonanza Slam, climbing Dark Peak also involved logistical planning. Plus, I needed the optimal weather and continued to monitor the forecast throughout the week. All the stars needed to align to make it a successful trip.
It was a long three-hour ferry ride over Lake Chelan to Stehekin. The shuttle took me to High Bridge, ten miles up the valley, before I started walking. After eight miles on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), I continued to the lower basin before dark.
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Swamp Creek Trail
Swamp Creek Trail hasn’t gotten much use since the only ones using it usually climb Dark Peak. The path was hard to follow before staying parallel to the water. I was glad to have found the big log and crossed the creek to the east side.
I continued for a quarter of a mile before losing the path. Then, I ended up spending much time contending with the heavy brush. In turn, I reached the lower basin after dark, glad to have taken care of that part.
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Dark Peak Climb Plus Summit Views
Reaching the upper basin was a workout in itself. At one point, I lost the trail but managed to find my way while the expanding views calmed the agony. Without tracks to follow, I kicked steps for the next 3000′ to the saddle. The group of four Mountaineers folks later followed my steps.
It was now snow-free from the saddle to the summit. It felt surreal to see Bonanza Peak this close since I was only up there with friends last year. I stayed long enough to savor the views, including the nearby Needle Peak, before leaving.
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Swamp Creek Camp and Out
I met the four climbers above the saddle as they came up and met them again later in the lower basin. We returned to the PCT together and camped by the trail for an early start to High Bridge. So we could catch the first shuttle back to Stehekin.
I bought a seaplane ticket for an early return to Chelan to pick up the pups from boarding the same day. So thankful for planes! I’m unsure if I had the patience for another three-hour boat ride back to civilization.
See more trip photos here.