Sasse Mountain on Sasse Ridge sits by Jolly Mountain and Hex Mountain in Teanaway. Salmon La Sac offers the quickest way to the peak in the snow. Despite a treed top, hikers can find views over the long ridge’s saddles.
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Sasse Mountain at a Glance
Access: NF-128
Round Trip: TBD
Elevation Range: 2300′-5730′
Gear: snowshoes
GPS Track: available
Dog-Friendly: yes
Salmon La Sac
After a short hike in the Puget Sound area, we returned to the Cascades. Sasse Mountain has been on the list for some time, but I’ve put it off because of the treed summit. But all nearby peaks boast near to panoramic views.
It was our first time here since last fall when we visited the three peaks of French Cabin Mountain. I also drove here in early December but turned around because of the bad weather. Instead, we opted for better weather on Horse Lake Mountain.
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En Route to Road 128
I couldn’t drive on Road 128 because of snow berms and parked north of Howson Creek off the main road. Soon, we scrambled east uphill over the light brush and down trees. Then from 2840′, we cut up to the next hairpin turn at 3000′.
I put on snowshoes at 3100′. To reduce the road walk, we hiked north past the 3400′ hairpin turn. Then we took the spur north at the fork and went uphill before the road’s end. Shortly after, we came out by the 3900′ turn and cut up to the 4440′ road bend.
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Sasse Mountain North Ridge
When Road 128 ended at 4600′, we continued on Little Salmon La Sac Trail (#1325). Then at 5000′, we went east over the creek up to the north saddle at 5500′. Soon, we walked up the ridge to the timbered summit in a bluebird afternoon.
Stuart Range sat behind Jolly Mountain. Then to the northwest were Chimney Rock, Mount Daniel, and Moun Hinman through the trees. But I couldn’t get a decent photo of the neighboring Not So Sasse Peak or Howson Peak.
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Outro
We enjoyed an extended visit and then followed our tracks down the mountain. Afterward, we plunge-stepped through the soft snow without gaiters. So it was damp socks and boots back at the car.