Cascade Mountain Middle Peak towers above Gouging Lake in the scenic Miller River Valley. It nestles among other rugged peaks, offering a new climbing goal near Lake Dorothy. As with the nearby high points, it promises a good mix of forest travel and snow scrambling in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area.
See more trip photos here.
Cascade Mountain Middle Peak at a Glance
Access: East Fork Miller River Bridge Washout
Round Trip: 12.5 miles
Elevation Range: 1480′-5458′
Essential Gear: none
Route Info: Martin S
GPS Track: available
Dog-Friendly: with guidance
Playlist: Ethereal
Initial Plans and River Negotiation
Initially, I was leaning toward the approach Cody the yellow lab and I used for Cascade Mountain‘s main peak. But I changed my mind after reading about a shorter way via the damaged bridge toward Lake Dorothy Trailhead. We did a recon the day before after arriving without snowshoes. Thankfully, about a quarter-mile up from a gorgeous waterfall was a bent but surprisingly sturdy log. It handled my weight and led me to a larger one midway through to the other side.
The dog waded across the river and waited. Soon, we moved through the semi-open forest typical of this region, with expected rotten tree debris and streamlets. To my surprise, the amount of rubble was less than anticipated, which made for a pleasant approach. We hugged the east ridge closely and were constantly within the sound of the north-adjacent creek in the ravine. Meanwhile, Connor eagerly explored through the slick undergrowth.
Snow Conditions and Gully Ascent
Patchy snow appeared around 3000 feet before slowly transitioning to a continuous layer past a thin slide alder gully. Further along, pockets of old avalanche debris soon became visible in the lower basin. I strapped on snowshoes while admiring the dramatic sight of Malachite Peak across the valley. The access water gully leading toward the saddle grew steeper higher up. So, midway through, we exited onto a steep but safer slope that provided access to the top of the ravine.
With Cascade Mountain North Peak looming behind us, we trudged southward through a surprisingly large amount of snow. The depth of it was certainly not visible from the road below, so I was immensely grateful for the snowshoes to make travel manageable. While rising toward the saddle that accessed the west, we aimed too high in an attempt to maintain the altitude. This resulted in working through a shallow moat atop a steep snow ramp below the ridge to finally reach the pass at 5080 feet.
Reaching Cascade Mountain Middle Peak Summit
From the notch, the route involved keeping high while carefully avoiding open avalanche terrain. Due to the steepness, we cautiously navigated and eventually entered the upper gully below the east saddle of Cascade Mountain Middle Peak at 5200 feet. Then, a brief and not overly exposed walk-up via a snow arête brought us straight to the top. The final steps to the summit felt rewarding after encountering the varied terrain.
The flat, dry summit boulder offered Connor a perfect spot to nap and me to absorb the 360-degree views. Endless vistas included the main peak, majestic Lennox Mountain, and, of course, Cascade Mountain Middle Peak itself. I also spotted many notable peaks in the distance. Some snow had melted out on the west slope, which appeared much less steep than the dramatic drop-off on the east. Additionally, two lakes, including Gouging Lake, which we visited twice before, shimmered below.
The Descent and Return Journey
After soaking in the views from Cascade Mountain Middle Peak, it was time to begin the journey downward. We carefully retraced our steps from the top and took a brief side trip to the two south-adjacent ridge bumps. But back in the upper basin, we opted to stay lower, which helped avoid the outcrops encountered during the ascent. Refreshed from the long summit break, we navigated the snowy slopes with renewed energy.
Staying true to our route, we efficiently reach back at the river crossing. As I did in the morning, scooching over the bent log once more went without a hitch. The dog rejoined after wading across, and we soon reached the familiar road slightly above the river bank. The walkout provided a quiet time to reflect on another day’s successful adventure. The varied challenges and beautiful scenery made the climb a truly memorable one.
