I had driven Goodell Creek and Bacon Creek drainages off Highway 20 on many occasions. But I had never explored the area. So today, Damnation Peak allowed us to do so. I was so unfamiliar with most high points that I could only name Mount Triumph.
See more trip photos here.
Damnation Peak at a Glance
Access: NF-3745
Round Trip: 7.7 miles
Elevation Range: 2240′-5635′
Gear: snowshoes, ice ax
GPS Track: available
Dog-Friendly: yes, with guidance
Driving up to Road 3745
We arrived at the hidden decommissioned road turnoff (Road 3745) at 2245′. Then the pups and I walked the path to its end. Along the way, we avoided brush, slide alder, down trees, and mud puddles on the left.
Snow appeared at mile 1.5. But it was still firm enough to continue in boots comfortably. I punched through a few times before finally putting on snowshoes before the tributary of Damnation Creek. There, we crossed the raging water on a log. When elevation began to steepen at 3400′, I removed the snowshoes.
See more trip photos here.
Damnation Peak South Ridge
South ridge was at its steepest from 3600′ to 4600′. It was snow-free until 4000′. It was too steep to walk in snowshoes comfortably for the rest of the 600′. So I waited until terrain flattened at 4600′ to put them on again.
Soon, a broad and steep gully at 5000′ forced us to bypass through the slopes on the right. In other words, no thank you, avalanche!
See more trip photos here.
Approaching Damnation Peak Summit
From 5200′ to the top was the most scenic part of the climb. All the high points around us had finally taken shape. Then at 150′ below the top, we transitioned from snow onto a group of large boulders.
I left the snow gear at the bottom, assuming that we were almost on the summit. But I quickly realized I was wrong. So I went back down and grabbed everything to finish off the last part.
See more trip photos here.
Damnation Peak Summit Plus Views
Mount Triumph and Mount Despair alone could make me gaze for hours. O.M.G. Mount Baker, Mount Blum, Bacon, Canadian Bacon, and the tip of Mount Shuksan were looking so gorgeous! We’ll need to come back for Salvation Peak.
There were also the Snowfield group, the Icecap group, Big Devils, Snowking, Razorback, and the top of Glacier Peak! Mount Triumph was in front of the Picket Range and most eastern peaks. Though, I managed to catch a glimpse of Mount Fury.
See more trip photos here.
Outro
On the way down, I packed up the snowshoes at 4600′ where it steepened. Then we plunge stepped our way back down to 4000′ to re-enter the old-growth forest.