Quartz Mountain sits quietly near Sheep Mountain in the Pasayten Wilderness near the Canadian border. The region holds historical significance as the traditional hunting territory of the Nlaka’pamux peoples. Then, in the late 1800s and early 1900s, it saw a surge of miners and sheepherders, whose activities established many of the trails still used today.
See more trip photos here.
Quartz Mountain at a Glance
Environs = Peak 7697 + Corral Point + Dollar Watch Mountain + Dollar Watch Mountain South Peak + Billy Goat Mountain
周圍地區=7697 高點+克拉爾峯+懷錶山+懷錶山南峯+雄山羊山
Access: Billy Goat Trailhead
Round Trip: 52.4 miles
Elevation Range: 4800′-7821′
Essential Gear: helmet
GPS Track: available
Dog-Friendly: yes
Playlist: Epic, Ethereal
Friday, June 28
Overview > Day 1 > Day 2 > Day 3 > Day 4
Peak 7697 + McCall Gulch Camp
First Scramble via Billy Goat Pass
Eightmile Creek Road was surprisingly debris-free for most of the drive. However, the final 0.75 mile from the corral trailhead to the road’s end was typically rocky and uneven. Billy Goat Trailhead greeted us as we prepared to embark on the 17-mile trek to our old campsite in McCall Gulch. Soon, we set off on the well-maintained but arid path toward Billy Goat Pass. Our first reliable water source was at a spring near the dry creek crossing, about 6100 feet.
The trail reached Billy Goat Pass toward our first goal, Peak 7697, near Burch Mountain. From the unmarked trail fork, we continued upward after dropping off the overnight gear. Reaching the top via the brief rocky south slopes provided a stunning panorama, a preview of the vast wilderness that lay ahead. This morning’s scramble was a good warm-up for the days ahead. It grew warm and breezy as we returned to the pass to continue our long trek north.
Through Passes to McCall Gulch
The trail remained in great shape as we walked down from north of the pass toward Drake Creek. We encountered only a few windfalls past a small two-tent campsite about a quarter-mile from the water. It was a relief to see so few downed trees, especially after witnessing the aftermath of the 2017 Diamond Creek Fire first hand. We carefully crossed Drake Creek on some sturdy tree logs where the trail had flooded near the shore.
The path through Three Fools Pass to Diamond Creek has been equally well-maintained since 2018. But it was necessary to cross the creek using log debris upstream from the trail, now under water. Before long, we crossed Larch Creek on a footbridge, pushing toward Larch Pass over a dozen logs, where Connor checked out some small animal inching up a tree. We reached our old campsite at 7350 feet in the lush McCall Gulch after a long 17-mile day,
Saturday, June 29
Overview > Day 1 > Day 2 > Day 3 > Day 4
Corral Point + Quartz Mountain
Scenic Trek Toward Quartz Mountain
Waking up to the spectacular south panorama was a fantastic start to our second day. A mild 400-foot ascent near camp brought us to Corral Point, which provided more views beyond the basin. Descending via the west in a cool breeze, we enjoyed constant south views of Two Point Mountain before heading north on the main path. Meanwhile, the massive Sheep Mountain and Gabril Point dominated the skyline over Timber Wolf Creek Basin.
From the ridge overlooking Peeve Pass, I opted for a more scenic route via Sand Ridge. So, we left the beaten path, headed uphill on a faint trail. The less-traveled ridge offered breathtaking vistas and a more direct line toward today’s main objective. Connor seemed to enjoy the open ridges as much as I did, constantly rolling in the grass. Before long, we reached the Boundary Trail over a narrow pass atop Mayo and Peeve Creek drainages.
Rewarding Climb and a Pleasant Return
From the junction, we began the final ascent of Quartz Mountain via its broad east ridge. At the next fork, I decided not to visit Quartz Lake due to time constraints. The straightforward climb had only a few lingering snow patches above 7000 feet. At the same time, the dog discovered small snowfields on the northern slopes to cool off. This summit offered expansive views of the Pasayten Wilderness and even Canadian peaks.
Meanwhile, we got an intimate look at the massive Sheep Mountain across the basin. For the return, I opted for the Boundary Trail east to Peeve Pass, which made a nice loop. This two-mile stretch to the junction was also in excellent condition, offering a different perspective on the landscape. Soon, we rejoined our main trail back on the ridge and walked up to our high camp. The rain in the forecast finally arrived at 7:30 PM, three hours behind schedule.
Sunday, June 30
Overview > Day 1 > Day 2 > Day 3 > Day 4
Dollar Watch Mountain + Dollar Watch Mountain South Peak
From Quartz Mountain to Dollar Watch
Heavy rain continued through the night and only stopped after 11 AM, but the intermittent drizzles continued. When it finally tapered off around noon, I quickly packed up the wet gear to start the day. Afterward, we descended west of the stream to the McCall Gulch Trail, initially marked by large cairns. The path grew fainter and brushier as it entered the old burn zone, disappearing entirely under massive downed trees.
Along the way, we startled some rather defensive grouses, likely protecting their newborn from the intruders. It was an unexpected but lively encounter in the otherwise quiet, recovering forest. The lower trail fork had long vanished amidst the rubble, so we navigated through the boggy meadow toward the East Fork Pasayten River. After carefully crossing the log debris to the south below Two Point Mountain, we began searching for the other trail.
From Dollar Watch to a New Camp
Thankfully, we stumbled on the East Fork Pasayten River Trail at 6300 feet and turned south. The forest here had been spared by the 2017 fire, offering a pleasant walk to Dollar Watch Pass. Unable to locate the Middle Mountain Trail, we scrambled up to Dollar Watch Mountain’s southeast saddle before climbing 600 feet on mild terrain. It was another rewarding summit, seeing Washington’s highest peaks, and even Quartz Mountain. Back on the pass, we visited the nearby south peak at 400 feet higher.
After another viewing party on top, we scrambled down the northeast ridge to rejoin the trail. In hindsight, I should have left most of our gear on the pass instead of carrying it. On the way to Three Fools Pass, the trail south of Tony Creek still held massive crisscrossing logs from the fire. Thankfully, flagging helped guide us through the half-mile of rubble before contending with the rest of the debris through switchbacks above Larch Creek to reach the Billy Goat Trail.
After a leisurely walk, we finally set up our second camp at Three Fools Pass after dark. There was an excellent, tucked-away site comfortable for two tents and a small stream nearby for water.
Monday, July 1
Overview > Day 1 > Day 2 > Day 3 > Day 4
Billy Goat Mountain + Exit
One Last Pass and a Final Climb
Mosquitoes were generally terrible in the lower, boggy areas, but a steady breeze helped. A head net was essential whenever the wind died down, making the walk more enjoyable. A stroll through Drake’s Creek and Billy Goat Pass, we soon reached the Hidden Lakes Trail fork, a quarter-mile from the parking lot. Instead of heading out, I stashed the gear before walking two miles west to Eightmile Pass for the final goal—Billy Goat Mountain.
The trail was mostly dry, with the only reliable water source located at mile 0.75. From the pass, the northbound ascent went through heather and scree but direct. However, the summit was not visible until the wooded meadow at 7200 feet, a good camping candidate. Beyond the rockier final 200 feet, the massive cairn marking the summit reminded me of the one on Tower Mountain. Reaching the top was the ideal way to cap off our four-day adventure in this incredible wilderness.
Concluding Quartz Mountain Adventure
The views from Billy Goat Mountain were as spectacular as many other summits Cody and I had visited in this region. There were miles upon miles of undulating ridgelines and many of Washington’s highest peaks nearby. After soaking it all in, we returned to the trail junction, retrieved our gear, and followed with the easy walk out. The sunshine and solitude we experienced were definite highlights of the trip.
Looking back, the excellent trail conditions to Peeve Pass were a pleasant surprise. Camping in the lush, scenic McCall Gulch with its panoramic views for the second time was another highlight. Despite the annoying massive tree debris in lower McCall Gulch and the day of rain, it was a fantastic trip nonetheless. Here’s to another unforgettable experience with my trusty four-legged adventure partner!
