Palmer Mountain by Melted Mountain recently joined the Alpine Lakes “Home Court” Top 100 lineup after new LIDAR readings. This latest addition sits just a quarter-mile west of the east peak, where we visited nine years earlier. After all this time, the chance to explore this newly recognized high point felt like a fresh adventure.
See more trip photos here.
Palmer Mountain at a Glance
Access: Lowe Creek Road
Round Trip: 9.3 miles
Elevation Range: 800′-5047′
Essential Gear: snowshoes, microspikes
GPS Track: available
Dog-Friendly: with guidance
Playlist: Hopeful
Road Walk Along the Skykomish River
Our trip began at the familiar gate for the nearly two-mile road walk. The bridge washout at mile 1.5 was here to stay as we approached the mountain’s east side. But this time, the low water level allowed us to cross directly to the other side on rocks. The morning remained overcast, with cooler temperatures for the initial flat walk. As always, Connor happily sniffed along the quiet forest road.
This time, we walked a bit farther to the fork and accidentally took a brushy roadway. I thought it was a trail before realizing we were off route. Even after getting back on track, we still contended with many downed trees in the lower forest like before. As with the last trip, we never got a break from the debris until about 2400 feet. Meanwhile, we were within earshot of Lowe Creek.
Working Toward the Quarry and Ridge
The route crossed an old, brushy road three times before reaching a familiar shed. It sat beside the fourth roadway at 2600 feet, not far from the quarry. We located the ridge trail, which took us above the old mining area straight into an inversion. Without much to see through the trees, we climbed steeply and slowly broke out of the clouds as sunlight seeped in.
Somehow, the forested path appeared less defined this time. It was surprising, given the increased foot traffic in recent years on Palmer Mountain. We even lost the trail in one place where thick brush overgrew it. Before long, snow appeared at 3900 feet, then I put on snowshoes at another 200 feet higher.
Reaching the New Summit of Palmer Mountain
Snowshoeing along the crest toward the east peak was straightforward and enjoyable. Initially, we tried bypassing it from the south but met unexpected cliffs below the west side. So we briefly backtracked and climbed directly onto the ridge via a rock ramp. A short and smooth traverse then led us to the new summit of Palmer Mountain. Alas!
Hidden cornices lined the north side of the rocky ridgeline before we reached the peak. The narrow, rocky summit itself was covered in snow, but we spent our time on top by the exposed dry rocks. It felt great to stand on this newly recognized peak as Connor explored cautiously on the south slope.
Views on Top and the Way Down
The summit offered an intimate look at the impressive Crosby Mountain, plus Mount Rudderham. Despite the trees, we were able to enjoy the views on that side. Meanwhile, across the South Fork Skykomish River stood the notable high points of the Wild Sky Wilderness. There were also Mount Index, Frozen Mountain, and Philadelphia Mountain, a stone’s throw away.
The ridge trail felt more distinct as we went down, although it was still brushy in some places. Meanwhile, I noticed a trail zigzagging over the north side of Bing Peak nearby and wondered if it’s a better way to gain that long ridgeline. Debris continued to obscure the route in certain areas, requiring careful attention. Overall, the climb of Palmer Mountain felt more satisfying this time.
