Wallaby Peak 7995 by Big Kangaroo is one of the several high points on Kangaroo Ridge. It also shares a ridgeline with Kangaroo Temple to the south. Best of all, its proximity to the highway makes for a great short day outing.
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Wallaby Peak at a Glance
Access: Washington Pass hairpin turn
Round Trip: 4.4 miles
Elevation Range: 5160′-7995′
Gear: helmet, ice ax, microspikes
GPS Track: available
Dog-Friendly: no
The Preface
Yesterday, the pup and I took a trip up McLeod Mountain. Later we spent the night by Washington Pass hairpin turn. So we could also climb Wallaby Peak and make the long drive worthwhile.
In the morning, we awoke to the sound of cars. Several groups of climbers were getting ready for Kangaroo Temple. Then the two skiers showed up later went up to the couloir south of the Early Winters Spires.
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Kangaroo Pass 6671
Soon, we were heading southeast in the Early Winters Creek Basin. The snow was still firm from the low overnight temperatures. Though, ice showed up as terrain steepened at 6200′.
Just then, I realized I had forgotten my crampons back in the car. But glad I found microspikes in my pack’s side pocket. So I used them to go through the icy sections.
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Southwest Ridge Route
We climbed another 200′ on moderate terrain in the upper basin. Then the slopes steepened again in the final 300′ up to Kangaroo Pass 6671. From there, I caught the sight of our last year’s climb Marsupial Peak.
Glad for recent tracks, we were able to move efficiently on the southeast ridge. When snow ended at 7200′, we went onto the south face through the access notch. Then we continued up the steep terrain to reach the crux.
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Steep South Face Finish
I wished I had brought my crampons. They would’ve come in handy through the snow arête. It was hard not to look down the deep gully. So I went through this section with the ice ax and microspikes very carefully. But the pup flew past effortlessly and waited for me at the top of the ramp.
The terrain steepened past the snow. So we went back on scree. There were lots of loose rocks in the gully. Glad I brought my helmet since the pup kicked down stones a few times. Just below the top, we went through a small section of snow. Then another 50′ of scrambling on scree put us up on top.
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Wallaby Peak Summit
I had been waiting for the view since we left the car. And it sure was gorgeous! To the north, I could see as far as the top of Mount Baker and the Picket Range. There were also views of Big Kangaroo, Silver Star Mountain, and Gilbert Mountain next door. The two summit register entries from yesterday looked like the season’s first ascents.
Back at the crux, I faced in to gain better traction with the spikes. It seemed to take forever to go through. But once we passed this part, it didn’t take long to get back down to the pass. Glad that the afternoon snow wasn’t slushy. So snowshoes continued to stay on my pack for the rest of the trip.
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Outro
We got back in the early afternoon. Then there were a ton more cars by the hairpin turn. I talked to two skiers who had just finished the Blue Lake Basin ski tour. That basin was the happening place today.
Do you have a GPS track available? I’d like to take a closer look at the route.