Gabriel Peak and Elija Ridge perch above Cabinet Creek by Ragged Ridge. Each spans over four miles long near North Cascades Highway. The lesser-known peaks above Panther Creek still attract many mountain enthusiasts.
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Gabriel Peak and Elija Ridge at a Glance
Environs = Ezekiel + Beebe Mountain
週圍地區=以西結峯+比比山
Access: Highway 20 @ Cabinet Creek
Round Trip: 23.3 miles
Elevation Range: 3170′-7920′
Gear: helmet
Route Info: Paul M
GPS Track: available
Dog-Friendly: no pets
September 3-5, 2021
Day 1 – Friday, September 3
5700′ pass + Gabriel Peak
Night 1 – 5700′ pass camp
Day 2 – Saturday, September 4
Elija Ridge + Ezekiel + Beebe Mountain
Night 2 – 5700′ pass camp
Day 3 – Sunday, September 5
Exit
Day 1
5700′ Pass + Gabriel Peak
Overview > Day 1 > Day 2 > Day 3
The Preface
After last week’s lengthier trip, the pups deserved a leisurely outing. So we spent three days visiting Gabriel Peak and Elija Ridge between Cabinet Creek and Panther Creek. From Colonial Peak, I first took actual notice of these high points.
Like Picket Range, Gabriel Peak and Elija Ridge aren’t visible from North Cascades Highway. I remember taking my first photo of them from Gardner Mountain a decade ago. But they had sneaked onto my list this year.
See more trip photos here.
Cabinet Creek by North Cascades Highway (Highway 20)
I had planned the approach via Panther Creek Trail. Due to down trees, most reports pointed to the preferred way through Cabinet Creek. But that allowed us to check out the creek after driving past it hundreds of times.
Looking at the available descriptions, most parties made their trips here in June. They likely wanted to avoid the brush by using the snow lower down. On the other hand, I would rather not have to deal with any snow at all.
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En Route to 5700′ Pass by Gabriel Peak
Once in the woods, the pups and I went up on the adjacent ridge south of the creek. En route, we moved through many down trees strewing the open terrain. Then at 3800′, we surprisingly stumbled on a trail with flagging.
The goal was to camp the unnamed pass that divided Cabinet Creek and Gabriel Creek. It’s also the shared saddle between Gabriel Peak and Elija Ridge. Satellite images showed less woodsy with possible views but might not have water.
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Crossing Cabinet Creek
The decent trail ended abruptly after dropping briefly to Cabinet Creek at 4100′. I looked around for more flagging but didn’t see any more. Soon, we crossed the shallow water on rocks after pacing along the shore.
We walked southwest near the creek as there were more down trees away from the water. Despite the open forest, we needed to deal with many windfalls en route. Cabinet Creek, now to the south, was always within earshot.
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Camping by 5700′ Pass
At 4600′, we veered northwest while staying alongside Cabinet Creek’s main branch. Views in the forest were sparse until the terrain slowly flattened at 5200′. Before long, I saw Cabinet Peak looming high above the trees.
We set up camp in the meadow shy of the pass with a nearby stream. But in hindsight, we could’ve gone up to the open saddle that might not have running water. Then I realized I didn’t bring a lighter for the stove. Grr.
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Gabriel Peak Climb
After a break by the tent, we started making our way up Gabriel Peak’s broad north basin. Going south briefly through the forest got us back out to the open. Then at 6300′, we veered southeast up the scree to the 6900′ notch.
Soon, the sight of the Ragged Ridge appeared from behind the gap. I had waited for the stunning view since we left the car, and it was well worth the sweat. It was the closest I’d been to north of the famous rugged ridgeline.
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Final Stretch on Gabriel Peak
The rocky crest soon took us to the higher notch at 7100′ with a clear view of Gabriel Peak and the route. Next came the tall rock, the climb’s crux for the pups. Then I helped guide them around the step and continued.
At 7200′, we made a rising traverse and cut across the south side of Point 7722. Then we reached Gabriel Peak’s east saddle after some careful scrambling. We soon went up a series of ledges and loose rocks to reach the roomy summit.
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Gabriel Peak Summit Views
Apart from the impressive view of Ragged Ridge, many familiar peaks were also nearby. To the north was the stunning sight of Jack Mountain and Crater Mountain. Ruby Mountain sat northwest, which I had wanted to see also.
The hazy sky was likely the result of the late summer’s wildfires. But glad all the places I had waited to see from here were still visible. The vibrant evening colors had lit up the Inspiration Traverse group to the southwest.
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Back to 5700′ Camp by Gabriel Peak
The views were too good to leave behind, but I wanted to return to camp before dark. But going in reverse, the sandy ledges were more concerning. So it took more time than anticipated to reach back at the saddle.
Back at the big rock step, the yellow pup hopped right off. But the black dog required some guidance to take the plunge. Later we slid our way down the scree and reached camp at dusk.
See more trip photos here.
Day 2
Elija Ridge + Ezekiel + Beebe Mountain
Overview > Day 1 > Day 2 > Day 3
En Route to Elija Ridge
The following day, we started moving after sunrise. Our first task was to go up to the 6350′ pass east of Elija Ridge. Then we’d work our way up the long ridgeline and hope to reach the top at a decent hour.
Small streams in the open forest provided water until about 6000′. Then it’d be bone dry without a single trickle until we came off the ridge at day’s end. Before long, we were on the pass with Gabriel Peak behind us.
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Traversing the Long Ridgeline
We traversed the crest to the rock field in the 6800′ meadow. As we went around the bottom of the talus, the marmot screeching soon started. Then we went through some scree and made a rising traverse up to 7200′.
Keeping the same altitude, we later crossed three broad gullies below Ezekiel. The slopes were primarily rocks but with some heather dispersing throughout. Later we rounded the ridge and stopped above the 7100′ notch.
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The Final Stretch on Elija Ridge
Bypassing the bouldered ridgeline required us to drop 100′ on the scree first. Then we headed to Elija Ridge’s southeast saddle and took a short break to savor the fantastic views. The actual summit still wasn’t visible from there.
We traversed south of the rocky crest from 7400′ onward. Then as we neared the top, the terrain unexpectedly steepened considerably. The final bit involved climbing in a steep gully through a series of slabs and sandy ledges.
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Elija Ridge Summit Views
Elija Ridge also sported a broader but rocky summit, with remnants of a glacier on the backside. It even came with two USGS markers by the granite platform. Something told me that some structure once occupied the top.
From here, I saw more of Ross Lake, plus a clearer sight of Jack Mountain and Crater Mountain. Views were similar to those on Gabriel Peak, now a little under two miles to the southeast. To the west, the horizon stayed hazy like yesterday.
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Next Stop, Ezekiel
We rounded the ridge at the 7100′ saddle and traversed to the east of Ezekiel. Then we backtracked a short way west to reach the minor bump on the ridgeline. But its sheer north side looked quite impressive from Elija Ridge.
I looked at the high point several hundred feet east, and it seemed taller. But whatever, We only stayed a few minutes on top because we still had one more place to visit. So onward to Beebe Mountain, today’s final goal!
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Beebe Mountain South Route
We returned to the 6350′ saddle above Stillwell Creek to reach Beebe Mountain. Then we proceeded to go up to the bouldered Point 7026 via the southwest ridge. We came upon lots of annoying krummholz lower on the crest.
From Point 7026, I realized we couldn’t go down the short drop-off on the north. So we poked around the west and found a narrow ramp to bypass the cliffs. Then it was a long but smooth ridge walk over to our goal.
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Beebe Mountain Summit Views
At 7200′, we beelined from the west and reached the windy summit before sunset. It was our northernmost peak, and so it felt the most remote. At the same time, we were much closer to Jack Mountain and Crater Mountain above Highway 20.
Gabriel Peak and Elija Ridge were both massive. But Elija Ridge’s undulating ridgelines on the north side made it look even broader. At the day’s end, the evening colors had brought the place back to life. But the sunset came way too soon.
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Back to 5700′ Camp by Gabriel Peak
After retracing steps for a mile and a half, we were back at Point 7026. Glad we didn’t bypass the cliffs in the dark, as it was still light out. Soon, from the top of the high point, we went straight south toward the campsite.
En route, we went through a small water gully to avoid the brush in the trees. Then we hopped through some down logs by the wetland before camp. But I skipped a hot dinner tonight without a lighter for the stove. Grr.
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Day 3
Exit
Overview > Day 1 > Day 2 > Day 3
Leaving Gabriel Peak and Elija Ridge
As usual, the dogs were up early and couldn’t wait to go outside the tent. The climbs must’ve not been exhausting for the two of them to sleep through breakfast this time. But I was glad that they enjoyed a low-key outing.
I waited for things to dry off before we started moving in the late morning. Soon, the spotty views in the open forest faded as we neared the creek bend down by Meebe Benchmark. Then we rested by a small stream for a while.
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Back to North Cascades Highway (Highway 20)
Although it went downhill faster, it felt brushier than on day one. Then came the worst area of debris before crossing Cabinet Creek back to the south side. I didn’t remember seeing most of it on the way in; how odd!
Back at 3800′, we continued down the trail to see where it’d lead us. Soon, we came out of the hidden entrance onto North Cascades Highway. It’s only about a hundred yards south of where we started.
See more trip photos here.