Chikamin Peak by Huckleberry Mountain towers above the head of Gold Creek Valley. Three main routes to the peak include Mineral Creek, which offers the shortest distance at eight miles each way. But they all require hiking parts of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) en route.
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Chikamin Peak at a Glance
Access: Mineral Creek Trailhead
Round Trip: 16.5 miles
Elevation Range: 2360′-7000′
Gear: helmet
Route Info: Ian Lauder
GPS Track: available
Dog-Friendly: no
The Preface on Chikamin Peak
I took my first picture of Chikamin Peak from Iron Peak in Teanaway a decade ago. Back then, the unique ridgeline under a white coat looked unreachable. So I filed it away and admired it from other places over the years.
Fast forward to today and ten years later. With my recent visit to Huckleberry Mountain, a call to this hard-to-reach high point was in order. It would be my last new place to visit off PCT in north Snoqualmie Pass.
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Mineral Creek Trail
It’s our first time here. The pups and I started walking from the empty lot an hour before sunrise to prepare for the long day. Soon, we came up to Kachess River and crossed the water on a skinny log.
The rocky old roadbed took us to 2600′ before turning into an actual trail alongside Mineral Creek. We crossed the stream to the north on rocks under two miles. So far, the views in the trees were spotty because of the clouds.
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En Route to Park Lakes
We hiked the brushy trail along the foothills of Three Queens. Meanwhile, the increasing mists had brought out the vibrant fall colors. At 4000′, we crossed the stream from Lower Park Lake and went up the steep hillside.
Soon, we made a brief stop by Middle Park Lake and went up the ridge. Then in half a mile, we reached the trail fork and took the PCT. Once beyond the lakes, we’ve entirely lost our little views.
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Pacific Crest Trail Southbound
PCT turned west at the next fork by Chikamin Ridge high point. Going straight would’ve taken us down through Glacier Lake. But the weather was too uninspiring, so I gave up on the idea of seeing the lake.
The trail took a sharp corner over the ridgeline in half a mile. Soon, we were west of Chikamin Ridge and walked north through a few inches of days-old snow. The heavy clouds and the stillness had made it eerie throughout.
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In Search of the South Gully
We walked north in the eerie mists for a mile and slowly dropped 200′. En route, we went below Four Brothers, which I had hoped to see but couldn’t. Later at 5500′, we left PCT and went uphill in the trees.
The goal was to find the correct gully feasible for all three of us. Soon, we went out of the trees east of the massive rock field, which was the right spot. But the slabs over the steep terrain were damp and slippery.
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Chikamin Ridge South Ridge
Later we bypassed short cliffs unsuitable for the dogs from the west. Then we went back east on a ramp to be above the crux. From there, we continued in a narrow gully, and I helped the pups up a tall step.
Things started looking promising above the narrow path. Then I guided the dogs through the west of the dike on the steep incline. Soon, we were on grassy slopes and went up to the 6240′ saddle above the slick heather.
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Final Stretch on Chikamin Peak
More snow showed up on the pass as we went north and bypassed krummholz from the east. The limited views kept us from seeing the route up ahead. So we slowly moved through rocks and later came upon a massive talus at 6300′.
We went back onto the crest at 100′ above the rocks. The lack of snow along the ridgeline showed a faint path as it weaved its way up the south ridge. So we followed it up another 400′ to reach the summit block.
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Chikamin Peak Summit Minus the Views
I poked around and found the standard way to the top. But just when I thought the pups would need to stay behind, I found a ledge below the crux gully. Then with some guidance and more scrambling, we all got to the top.
The sun looked like it would come out when we were on the south ridge. But that never happened. The dense clouds didn’t move an inch during our visit. Too bad, I had been waiting for this moment for a long time.
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Outro
I had wanted to see Lemah Mountain and Four Brothers up close throughout the years in the area. Ugh, it’s a long way to come here without experiencing the breathtaking landscape. Oh well, better luck next time!
Clouds persisted as we headed down the mountain back on the PCT. The evening colors in the valley were even more vibrant than in the morning. At last, fall has arrived.
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