Mutton Mountain by Noble Knob on Dalles Ridge may not be famous as its neighbor. But the views from this taller peak are pretty comparable. Besides the dramatic sight of Mountain Rainier, Mount Adams is also visible on a clear day.
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Mutton Mountain at a Glance
Access: Deep Creek Trailhead
Round Trip: 8.4 miles
Elevation Range: 2800′-6856′
Gear: snowshoes
GPS Track: available
Dog-Friendly: yes
The Preface on Mutton Mountain
We didn’t have any new places close to home to visit after yesterday’s trip. Then with a late morning start, we had even fewer choices in South Cascades. So I thought we would revisit this area for the solitude.
During our trip to Noble Knob in the spring of 2016, we forewent Mutton Mountain. Back then, we were short on time because of yet another late start. Plus, snow conditions were less than ideal.
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Deep Creek Trailhead
This time, there was a trail closure sign at the trailhead from this summer. Then it dawned on me that the area had been through Norse Peak Fire. The aftermath was noticeable right from the get-go.
Lots of charred tree trunks strewed the defined path. In turn, we couldn’t go through one switchback without going around at least one down log. So the hiking felt tedious compared to the time before.
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In the Meadow
At last, at 5200′ was enough snow on the ground to put on snowshoes in calf-deep powder. But the tree hopping continued uphill for another 500′ of altitude. It for sure wasn’t enjoyable through the lower part of the burned forest.
Soon, we reached the meadows before the trail fork. Then we caught the sight of Mount Rainier fully emerging behind us from the southwest. Afterward, Deep Creek Trail ended at the junction.
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The Final Stretch
We made a right onto Noble Knob Trail and continued. Keeping the same altitude, we continued for another quarter of a mile. The trail later moved its way over to Mutton Mountain’s west saddle.
From the saddle, we soon scrambled the west ridge. Then we reached the broad summit adorned with a small cairn. There were lots of dry rocks on top because the snow had melted.
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Mutton Mountain Summit Views Plus Outro
We don’t go to South Cascades often, so I only recognized Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, Noble Knob, and Crystal Mountain. But the familiar high points by I-90 were visible from here as well.
The pup and I enjoyed a 45-minute break and then left the top. Since we started late, by then, it was nearing sunset. But the late start had its perks, including seeing the vibrant colors at the day’s end.
See more trip photos here.