Sheep Gap Mountain North Peak is located south of Mountain Loop Highway near the popular Gothic Basin. It sits near the prominent Gothic and Del Campo Peaks in the Morning Star Natural Resources Conservation Area.1 Despite appearing on U.S. Geological Survey maps, its naming history remains quietly tucked within the legacy of local mountaineering.2
See more trip photos here.
Sheep Gap Mountain North Peak at a Glance
Access: Monte Cristo Trailhead @ Barlow Pass
Round Trip: 13.8 miles
Elevation Range: 2321′-5683′
Essential Gear: helmet, microspikes
Route Info: Cascade Alpine Guide, SummitPost.org
GPS Track: available
Dog-Friendly: with guidance
Playlist: Beats
An Early Fall Return to Barlow Pass
My first glimpse of this peak group was years ago, from the summit of Mount Forgotten. However, Sheep Gap Mountain North Peak itself became a new interest only since last season, after a more recent encounter from Hubbart Peak. Meanwhile, I patiently waited for the right moment to tackle it.
The early morning drive from Granite Falls to Barlow Pass was smooth and wonderfully quiet. The empty pass was a stark contrast to the weekend chaos Connor and I had experienced here two months earlier. The only things missing this time around were cars lining the road, a typical sight during high season.
A Long-Awaited Trip to Sheep Gap Mountain North Peak
The peaceful, post-season hike provided a much different mood and solitary start to the long day ahead. Water was plentiful, with the first stream appearing shortly after taking the Weden Creek Trail. Several more water sources spaced along the flat trail, including the one at the mile two clearing viewing Sheep Mountain.
Overall, the debris-free trail was excellent, but it felt unfamiliar since my previous visit years ago. An old report noted a visible fork around 4200 feet that once led to Weden Lake, but that path was no longer viable. Meanwhile, I wondered whether there was enough daylight to reach back at Gothic Basin after the climb.
A Slow Burn Through Dense Fog
The hike started in a dense forest shrouded in a thick fog that lingered until well after 10 AM. It created a quiet, almost eerie mood as I navigated the zigzagging trail, which was steeper than I remembered. Some spots were quite muddy, especially around the slick wooden walkways throughout the lower forest floor.
Before long, the trail led to the first of many water gullies, which I could cross either above or downstream. Soon afterward, the incline persisted over several more water gullies and some surprisingly tall granite slabs. Careful footwork was required to avoid tripping as I continued steadily upward toward the basin.
The First Glimpses of Blue Above
Soon, the beautiful blue sky began to seep through the misty ridgelines above. This pleasant sight brought a renewed sense of excitement for the long approach that still lay ahead. One hiker walked past as I took photos. They were the only person I saw all day, a definite perk of a midweek trip.
Higher up, below the basin, the terrain became a mixture of slabs and exposed tree roots. The trail wove through many clearings, offering small glimpses of the dramatic landscape that slowly revealed itself. New steps cut into the slabs looked recent and were a great idea to keep hikers from sliding.
The Dreaded Traverse to Sheep Gap Mountain North Peak
I left the main trail by the first lake, taking one of several spur paths leading toward Weden Creek. It officially marked the beginning of the challenging, off-trail portion of the adventure. After gaining modest elevation, I rounded the creek’s outlet by a higher, smaller pool, and began the southbound traverse.
However, the traverse to Weden Pass turned out to be a real pain. I managed to stay high, weaving between trees and cliffs, before gradually descending to around 4800 feet. The route rose slightly again before dropping toward a permanent snowfield below the pass, which provided access to the peaks.
A Jaunt Up Nearby Middle Peak
From the pass, the access ramp into the south basin was easy to locate before I traversed the steep talus. Right then, I decided to stop by the middle summit first before attempting the main peak. But not before finding a feasible spot to climb an impressive tilted sedimentary rock layer with a prominent diagonal crack cutting through it.
I reached the saddle beneath the towering North Peak before following the northeast ridge, taking the path of least resistance. It was relatively straightforward to the summit of the lesser-known and underrated Middle Peak. Meanwhile, the impressive view of the main peak from this vantage point was fantastic.
Making a Tough Call to Turn Back
After a short visit on the summit, I descended via the short but sketchy south ridge. Then, from the wooded saddle, the north route climbed steeply toward the main peak. Upon reaching the crux, I quickly scouted holds around the granite slabs, the challenging portion of the ascent, with a steep drop on both sides.
Unfortunately, the rocks were covered in dripping water from the previous night’s rain. Apart from being unable to bypass the crux, making exposed moves through the damp area felt unsafe. However, I would definitely return next year, and hopefully, in dry conditions.
The Push for Sheep Gap Mountain North Peak
Back at the saddle, I exited via the east gully and bypassed a buttress before recrossing the tilted rock layer. From Weden Pass, remaining daylight allowed me to tackle the North Peak looming above. Views of the area from the top of Sheep Gap Mountain North Peak would still be worth the trip.
Interestingly, the climb required significantly more effort than initially anticipated, but was straightforward nonetheless. The east ridge route comprised tilted rock strata, the common geological theme of this area. These unique rock formations added more scenic appeal to one of the day’s highlights.
Soaking in Hard-Earned Views
The rocky summit of Sheep Gap Mountain North Peak featured excellent views of the main and middle peaks. It also offered fantastic vistas of nearby Gothic and Del Campo Peaks, plus a sliver of Foggy Lake. The expansive landscape was the perfect reward for the long and exhausting day of alpine climbing.
The top also showcased intimate views of Silver Tip Peak and Columbia Peak, which brought back fond memories. Spire Mountain, which I had climbed the weekend before with the pup, was also visible in the distant south. It was a beautiful moment of reflection, surrounded by so many familiar peaks.
The Long and Dark Walk Out
Tracing my steps from earlier back to Gothic Basin was uneventful. But on the upside, the reverse trip went by quickly, as I had identified the few tricky spots earlier and felt less tired than in the morning. The quiet trail offered a peaceful time to reflect on the long day’s highlights.
As dusk settled in over the final glimpse of Weden Lake, I eventually put on my headlamp for the trail. The serene sounds of the forest and the cool night air made for a calm ending, accompanied by some podcasts. Despite the rope not being put to use, at least I got more exercise from carrying it all day.
FAQ: Sheep Gap Mountain North Peak Climb
Mid-summer to early fall provides the best conditions, as dry rock is essential for safety on the scramble.
The traverse to Weden Pass poses route-finding challenges over steep talus and heather without a formal trail.
This route is not recommended for dogs due to the unsafe off-trail scrambling and extensive talus fields beyond Gothic Basin. It also involves rock climbing, requiring the aid of a rope.
A helmet, navigation tools, and strong off-trail route-finding skills are essential for this objective.
- PeakVisor: Morning Star NRCA ↩︎
- Mazamas: Sheep Gap Mountain, North Peak ↩︎