Round Mountain by Mount Higgins Lookout via Darrington / 圓山

  • Reading time:7 mins read

Round Mountain, north of Mount Higgins, lies near Darrington, Washington. It overlooks Deer Creek Pass and Coney Pass by Segelsen Ridge. Moreover, to the south rises Whitehorse Mountain over the Stillaguamish River.

The amazing Round Mountain
The amazing Round Mountain

See more trip photos here.

For Round Mountain on Nason Ridge, see this post.

Round Mountain at a Glance

Access: NF-1890, the end of the drivable road
Round Trip: 6 miles
Elevation Range: 1600′-5320′
Gear: microspikes
GPS Track: available
Dog-Friendly: with guidance

The Preface

I wanted to stay close to home and check out the lesser-visited places along Interstate 90. But the forecast in the area had worsened overnight. Then I looked north, saw the promising weather, and thought we’d try our luck there.

I quickly glanced at old December posts. Then I realized we had climbed the peak back to back with Dickerman Mountain seven years ago. What a coincidence! There was also gorgeous weather during the first trip.

Blair Witch vibe on the ridgetop
Blair Witch vibe on the ridgetop

See more trip photos here.

Lower Forest to Round Mountain South Ridge

Like before, it was strenuous right after we left the old road. So steep that we gained 2600′ over 1.6 miles or 1625′ over one mile. Microspikes would’ve offered traction on the slippery duff. Meanwhile, the semi-open forest gave little views.

Snow appeared at 3600′ with several inches through Point 4360′. Then it was only ankle-deep on the brushy joining saddle. Soon, we went up 1000′ over half a mile on the south ridge through semi-dry rocks without using snowshoes.

Traversing the joining saddle
Traversing the joining saddle

See more trip photos here.

The Final Stretch on South Ridge

So far, clouds have surrounded the top of the nearby peaks. I had doubts about seeing anything as it started to feel like a repeat of Dickerman Mountain. But higher up, Mount Higgins slowly appeared behind us. 

We traversed the talus on the southeast to avoid the visible cliffs. Then we continued through the dense forest into a water gully. Before long, we returned to the ridge at 5100′ and finished the last of the climbing.

Looking back from the south ridge talus
Looking back from the south ridge talus

See more trip photos here.

Round Mountain Summit Views

We waited 45 minutes on the windless summit. Soon, the overhead clouds moved away to let in the light on Segelsen Ridge. Despite not the inversion I had hoped to see, we could finally see the valleys below.

The views improved over time, but Whitehorse Mountain and Jumbo Mountain were the last to show. Views of Sauk River Valley and Darrington were decent. But I could still see Mount Pugh and White Chuck Mountain through moving clouds.

South panorama from Round Mountain
South panorama from Round Mountain

See more trip photos here.

Leaving North Fork Stillaguamish River Valley

The stubborn clouds lifted at some point but never dissipated entirely. But we stayed for another 45 minutes, hoping for more vistas. Then we finally leave the sub-freezing weather and the approaching mists behind.

Later we went back into the forest. Then we followed our tracks and scrambled down to the road.

Viewing east to Stillaguamish River Valley
Viewing east to Stillaguamish River Valley

See more trip photos here.

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