Columbia Peak rises above Twin Lakes in the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness near Kyes Peak. Together with Monte Cristo Peak, they form a majestic basin that holds the Columbia Glacier and the stunning Blanca Lake. Moreover, Poodle Dog Pass via Monte Cristo and Barlow Pass reaches the peak directly.
See more trip photos here.
Columbia Peak at a Glance
Environs = Twin Peaks + Twin Peaks East
周圍地區=雙峯+雙峯東峯
Access: Monte Cristo Trailhead @ Barlow Pass
Round Trip: 22 miles
Elevation Range: 2302′-7172′
Essential Gear: helmet
Route Info: Craig Weiland, Susan Shih
GPS Track: available
Dog-Friendly: no
Playlist: Beats
Planning for a Pleasant Trip
My main objective for this trip was Columbia Peak, with an unintended overnight stay at the serene Upper Twin Lake. I deliberately began on a Sunday, having just experienced heavy foot traffic on the popular Yellow Aster Butte Trail the previous week. The trail register, showing 11 groups headed to Twin Lakes just the day before, further confirmed the sound decision.
It was a crowded weekend on Mountain Loop Highway, with cars lining both sides near Barlow Pass. Despite the number of vehicles, several pullout spots were available for parking. It was a great relief as finding a space near the pass could have been difficult. The nearest lot also had plenty of empty spots, likely from Saturday’s crowds having already left after a day’s adventures.
Monte Cristo Trail to Sauk River
The initial one-mile stretch, with limited views, to the Sauk River has seen multiple reroutes over the years due to washouts. However, the current trailhead for Gothic Basin and Weden Creek appears to be a permanent fixture, offering hikers a consistent starting point. Alternatively, one can still walk past the outhouse, head briefly uphill, and join the beaten path to continue.
At the river crossing, a fork by the outhouse offered two options, and we took the dry, flagged path on the left. Beyond the Sauk River, it was a smooth and gradual stroll, alternating between the old roadbed and the newer trail. Approximately 1.75 miles in was a rocky section that spanned only a quarter of a mile and included a convenient trail along the edge.
Twin Lakes Trail Toward Twin Peaks
The Twin Lakes Trail to Poodle Dog Pass was mostly clear of debris, though last year’s large downed logs looked permanent. We navigated over and under a couple of significant new windfalls about 1.5 miles in. Without visiting Silver Lake, Sunday Creek, 1.25 miles from the trailhead, was our last water source for a while. Beyond the pass, we were treated to constant views of Hubbart Peak and Silver Tip Peak.
Despite the heat, mosquitoes were less active on the trail. The half-mile before Twin Peak grew rocky as we traversed granite slabs, passing campers on their way down. Two nearby spur trails helped minimize exposure along this section. Overall, it was a decent trail to the pass between the two peaks overlooking the water. We only realized it the following day as we exited.
Cross-Country to Columbia Peak Summit
Our cross-country route began at 5400 feet past the lake trail. We then reached Twin Peaks East Peak, another 200 feet higher, pausing briefly on the krummholz summit. A climber’s path down the east crest led us through scenic but rocky terrain before ascending steep heather to the upper ridge. Following a more defined trail, we eventually arrived at the snowfield at 6300 feet just as clouds began to roll in.
Getting past the snow at the start of the climb was relatively painless. However, I missed the standard route and continued on the rocky crest, which led to a dead end for the dog. We soon rerouted to the upper cliffs and traversed south beneath them on a ramp, where I filled my bottle from water drips. Crossing over the crest then brought us beneath the Class 4 crux—a wall of tall granite steps.
From there, I carefully climbed through cracks with solid but awkward holds. It was a sustained incline over scree-covered slabs to the summit block of Columbia Peak. While it was straightforward, just below the top, it required a short bypass over the steep north gully. Soon, the mist revealed an east view of the majestic Kyes Peak, with rugged peaks above the Monte Cristo area occasionally poked through the clouds.
Overnight by the Serene Upper Twin Lake
After reuniting with Connor at the crux, I decided to move our high camp down to Twin Lakes. The original plan was to camp by the snowfield only if we were short on time for a summit push on the same day. Moving camp also gave us extra time to descend into the lake basin and enjoy the evening. From the snowfield, we retraced the scenic ridgeline, as clouds in the valleys continued to shift.
Scrambling into the lake basin from east of the Twin Peaks’ east peak ended up being less straightforward. But we found a feasible route through the initial steep 200 feet. Over milder, grassy terrain, we soon reached the lake trail and continued to Upper Twin Lake. We arrived at an empty basin, with Hubbart Peak perfectly framing the lake. I picked the large, open spot by a stream, offering views of Columbia Peak.
A Successful Trip to Columbia Peak
After setting up our tent on the east shore in the talus basin, a 700-foot drop from the ridge above, we quickly settled in after a much-needed dinner. The relaxing evening, however, gave way to overnight drizzles, leading to an unexpectedly cloudy and wet Monday. The morning’s visibility extended only as far as the southern lake shore, with nothing else recognizable in the vicinity.
Setting off before 10 AM through the fog, we ascended the lake trail to the pass. From there, we made a side trip to Twin Peaks’ main summit, a quarter-mile west of the saddle, through the west ridge. Back on the trail, we pushed through damp vegetation with massive blueberries until we reached Poodle Dog Pass. Since it was a Monday, the people we met were from the day before, right before we left the trail.
