South Bessemer of Bessemer Mountain by Moolock Mountain / 南貝瑟默

  • Reading time:6 mins read

South Bessemer, the sub-peak of Bessemer Mountain, lies east of Moolock Mountain in Middle Fork Snoqualmie. The peak comes at the end of Bessemer Road. Moreover, it makes an excellent snowshoe outing in wintertime.

South Bessemer in full view
South Bessemer in full view

See more trip photos here.

South Bessemer at a Glance

Access: Bessemer Road
Round Trip: 13.5 miles
Elevation Range: 920′-5028′
Gear: microspikes, snowshoes
GPS Track: available
Dog-Friendly: yes

The Preface

We first hiked the road en route to Moolock Mountain six years ago. I thought I’d never walk the long path again until we tried going up South Bessemer two years later. But we turned around at the 2900′ switchback due to a late start.

Fast forward to four years later today when we returned to cross the peak off the back burners. Higher snow meant we’d move more quickly lower down. So we managed to go through the uninteresting part until we were in the open.

Off we go
Off we go

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Promising Weather on South Bessemer

I parked at the Oxbow Trailhead by another car under the gaze of Russian Butte. We started walking and soon crossed CCC Road at mile one at 1300′. Then we went east for half a mile before continuing uphill at the road bend.

We had zero views in persistent clouds yesterday. Yet today’s cloudy forecast became increasingly promising. There were sometimes views through branches. Otherwise, it was all trees. The scenery soon expanded at the 2900′ switchback, where snow appeared.

Valley view from the road
Valley view from the road

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Onward to the Saddle

I used microspikes for traction and continued on Bessemer Road at the 3200′ fork in firm snow. En route, we spotted a pair of fresh tracks, which had packed down the snow. Without needing to carve out a path, I waited to put on snowshoes at the 4000′ saddle.

The tracks went left on the saddle, likely going up to Moolock Mountain. But we turned right over day-old tracks on our quest for views. Though it soon became lethargic, the vistas had improved. I started counting my steps and was glad to have a trail to follow.

Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains
Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains

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South Bessemer Summit Views Plus Exit

The wind started 200′ below the top. But we took cover behind the trees to escape the relentless gusts. Views were phenomenal during our stay, and we even saw Mount Baker to the north. There were also the snowy Olympic Mountains behind Seattle to the west.

The afternoon sun added vibrant colors to the valleys. On the return before the 3200′ road fork, we caught up to a party of two. They had come off Moolock Mountain earlier and were walking the long road back like us.

Snoqualmie Pass madness
Snoqualmie Pass madness

See more trip photos here.

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