I took the yellow pup up Higher Squire to get in his exercise yesterday. So today, I could climb Lewis Peak alone. The two known deaths in recent years made me uneasy about bringing him along.
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Lewis Peak at a Glance
Access: Sunrise Mine Trailhead
Round Trip: 5 miles
Elevation Range: 2320′-5608′
GPS Track: available
Gear: helmet
Dog-Friendly: no
Trailhead to Northwest Ridge
Climbing this peak meant getting down to business from the start. Despite having a trail, I didn’t get to use it at all. So right away, I scrambled from behind the restroom. But it would have been great to hike parts of the path!
Going onto the northwest ridge was no easy task. But I needed to cross the stream before I went up too high. Then I swam through devils club and down trees. Later I looked for a spot to bypass the drop-offs at the bottom.
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Lewis Peak Northwest Ridge
Once I went onto the ridge, more brush and through dense growth awaited. The ridgeline was very steep for a peak with short stature. Views were spotty in the trees in the lower forest.
Later the ridgeline narrowed and became rocky. Then I moved to the right of the crest. But at times, I was curious about the steep terrain. So I would poke out my head to see the exposure along the east face. Eek!
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Traversing Northwest Ridgeline
When the summit came into view, the west side steepened. Soon, the crumbly ledges covered the terrain. Then it was more comfortable to bypass the sharp ridge crest from the east. There I followed a faint trail.
Below the top, the east face went from steep to vertical drop-offs. So I moved to the west. But the dense growth was tough to go through. Though, the vegetation would cover me should I slip.
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Lewis Peak Summit
Such gorgeous views this summit had! Del Campo Peak was right in my face. Plus, the impressive slab east face of Morning Star Peak was right across the basin. This summit was hands down, the best vantage point off the highway.
It was refreshing to see South Fork Stillaguamish River Valley and South Fork Sauk River Valley at the same time. They merged at the highway’s sharp bend–Barlow Pass. Then there was the direct sighting of Sheep Mountain to the northeast.
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Outro
Now it made sense why this peak doesn’t see many visitors. While the views were excellent, it was not for the faint of heart! I steered clear from the steep north and east sides. Then I spent most of my time next to a plaque in memory of a man who passed here.
Soon, I made it back down to the bottom of the ridge before it became black. Then I scrambled the rest of the way back to the trailhead.
See more trip photos here.