Overcoat Peak is located within half a mile of the distinguished Chimney Rock in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. The peak was named by surveyor Albert Hale Sylvester in 1897 after leaving his coat on the mountain during the first ascent. Meanwhile, other recognizable features nearby include Burnt Boot Peak, Summit Chief Mountain, plus the Alpine Lakes High Route high points.
See more trip photos here.
Overcoat Peak at a Glance
Access: Dutch Miller Gap Trailhead @ Dingford Creek
Round Trip: 40.4 miles
Elevation Range: 1400′-7432′
Essential Gear: helmet, ice tools, crampons, rock & rope (60m), bike
Route Info: Matt Burton
GPS Track: available
Dog-Friendly: no
Playlist: Ooyy
Saturday, July 13
Overview > Day 1 > Day 2 > Day 3
Hardscrabble Horse Camp + Overcoat Glacier Camp
The Long Road to Alpine Camp
The trip inevitably began on National Forest Road 56, infamous for its massive potholes and ruts. I have grown to know it well since my first trip to Dingford Creek Trail and the most recent outing. Since it leads to the renowned Goldmeyer Hot Springs, I have often wondered when the road would finally see some much-deserved repairs. Over the years, I managed to drive my cars through this rough 5.5-mile stretch below Mount Garfield.
This time, I returned with a vehicle that handled the road gracefully. However, it remained a challenge for small cars, especially on the rockier portions. Beyond the gated Dutch Miller Gap Trailhead, the road to the Hardscrabble Horse Camp 7 miles away improved drastically. I opted to bike to the camp for a speedy downhill return. But as a non-regular biker, I walked more on the steady incline while sporting a head net due to relentless mosquitoes.
Pushing Onward to Camp Pedro
After locking up the bike by the horse camp, I continued on the trail. It was overall decent with surprisingly minimal windfalls as I passed some dispersed camps by the streams. I only encountered four downed trees en route, one of which required an uphill detour. Once out of the forest, the intense morning sun made the walk uncomfortable, even in a sun hat. Meanwhile, the rocks on the lower path were hidden beneath the overgrown thimbleberry bushes.
Despite minor obstacles, views beyond Mount Price and the sounds of the river were my constant source of motivation. Higher up, I glanced at Burnt Boot Peak and Overcoat Peak as I hustled along. Though still far, I could pinpoint the steep snow route from below. After what felt like an eternity, Iron Cap Mountain finally appeared as I wandered through a boggy area before Camp Pedro at mile 13. The impressive Little Big Chief Mountain soon followed.
“Valley of the Chiefs” to Overcoat Peak
The route led me south through an open forest where I cached food, then crossed the Snoqualmie River on rocks. After a steep, brushy climb, I entered the “Valley of the Chiefs“—a two-mile rocky corridor resembling Lemah Meadows, with waterfalls and imposing rock faces. The mix of moraine and snow turned into snowfields at 4600 feet. The mild incline to the 6140-foot pass, beneath Summit Chief and with Three Queens and Chimney Rock to the south, felt like an eternity.
During the southwest traverse, I initially climbed to the ridge before realizing the path stayed lower. So I corrected my course, finding the sloping rock crux where I carefully downclimbed to the steep snow. Alternating between rocks and snow above 6600 feet, I slowly rounded the corner toward the camp area. Without finding the campsite with a pool, I set up my tent amidst rocks overlooking Overcoat Glacier. After sunset, powerful wind gusts persisted under a starry sky.
Sunday, July 14
Overview > Day 1 > Day 2 > Day 3
Overcoat Peak + Bears Breast Tarns
From Snow Finger to Steep Rocks
In the morning, after some route-finding around steep moats, I reached Overcoat Glacier 100 feet below camp. As I moved west through the excellent snow over a mild incline, expansive views unfolded behind me. A 500-foot scenic, rising traverse brought me to the top of the mild glacier. Soon, the infamous, steep snow finger became visible as I stood below its north face, revealing the intimidating dark towers above.
A bird initially showed its support by accompanying me as I began on the low-angle ramp. However, the grade increased with each ice axe placement. I knew I would soon need to commit to the climb, with “up” as my only option. Thankfully, the extra ice tool was super handy on the excellent, easy-step-kicking snow, making it feel less exposed. Bypassing the crevasses midway, however, was more nerve-racking than expected.
A Roomy Summit on Overcoat Peak
Near the dark towers, I transitioned to rocks, rounding the corner east to see the glacier below. Moving up using solid holds in the steep gully, I made a few exposed moves over tall steps to reach the spacious summit. A couple of the larger rocks by the register were somewhat wobbly. The intense climb through the steep snow was a pure adrenaline rush. But the expansive wilderness views and intimate look at Chimney Rock made the challenge entirely worthwhile.
Today’s bluebird weather unveiled every peak—a perfect day of sun and solitude after a long approach. My gaze constantly shifted to Chimney Rock and other notable peaks: Lemah Mountain, Summit Chief, and Big Snow Mountain. For the descent, I opted to exit via the east, continuing down the gully through a series of heather ledges. I then downclimbed a dihedral (top prominent ramp) to an area of dripping water, where two full-length rappels brought me back to the glacier.
Change of Scenery at Bears Breast Tarns
Leaving Overcoat Peak, I strapped on my crampons and walked right onto the snow. After a smooth stroll back to camp, I retraced my steps to the Dutch Miller Gap Trail. A short trek then brought me to the gap, where I followed the unmaintained trail north until it faded with cairns. Navigating around buttresses, I reached the scenic tarns for my second night. The only trade-off was battling terrible mosquitoes that forced me to cover every inch of skin outside my tent.
Despite expecting to see others in the area, I mostly enjoyed solitude. The only human encounter was from the day before, a hiker who had started from Salmon La Sac. They planned to reach Middle Fork Campground from Dingford Creek, then exit car-free to North Bend. What dedication! The lower tarn offered direct views of Iron Cap Mountain, while the impressive Bears Breast Mountain dominated the immediate east.
Monday, July 15
Overview > Day 1 > Day 2 > Day 3
Williams Lake + Exit
Quick Detour to Williams Lake
On my last day, I began the long journey back to the trailhead, but not without a brief side trip. Just above the gap, a viewpoint perched on a buttress at the end of a narrow ravine overlooked the stunning Lake Ivanhoe. From there, the deep blue lake directed my gaze toward the high points of Davis Peak in Salmon La Sac. Above the south shore trail, impressive waterfalls cascaded from the steep eastern slopes of Little Big Chief Mountain.
Midway between the gap and Camp Pedro, I turned right at a fork to visit secluded Williams Lake. This hidden gem, half a mile from the main trail, provided a moment of peace before the end of the trip. The path gently wound through scenic meadows, with Little Big Chief Mountain as the prominent feature. Meanwhile, crystal-clear water reflected La Bohn Peak, making it a perfect spot for a break while serenaded by croaking frogs.
Ending the Overcoat Peak Journey
Back at the trail junction, the rest of the hike out was a simple walk back along the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River. The river itself was less visible than I had anticipated, mostly obscured by dense forest and brush. However, I caught glimpses of short waterfalls over its raging waters whenever the path drew close. The bike ride from the horse camp was quick, with ample time to pick up the dogs from boarding, even after a morning of exploring.
As I thought about the trip, the annoying mosquitoes and the long approach became trivial. What stood out the most were the incredible views, the solitude, and the challenging climb. The trip was a perfect combination of sun and snow, but ultimately a rewarding experience. The spectacular hanging valley, the windy, starry night on the glacier, and the stunning summit views from Overcoat Peak will be my lasting memories.
