Mount Sefrit, a striking peak in the North Cascades, is situated four miles north of Mount Shuksan. Named after Frank Ira Sefrit, a long-time editor of The Bellingham Herald, the peak is often overshadowed by the more famous neighbors, including Mount Baker. Meanwhile, the picturesque valleys of Ruth Creek and the Nooksack River encircle this impressive mountain.
See more trip photos here.
Mount Sefrit at a Glance
Access: Nooksack Cirque Trailhead
Round Trip: 10.5 miles
Elevation Range: 2140′-7212′
Essential Gear: helmet, microspikes, snowshoes, ice ax, crampons
Route Info: Andy Boos
GPS Track: available
Dog-Friendly: no
Playlist: Beats
Ruth Creek Plus the Initial Approach
While the north approach seemed more common, the south route detailed by Andy Boos proved to be manageable with a dog. Our long day began with an immediate crossing over Ruth Creek near the start. After scouting, a fallen, thin log upstream behind the trailhead sign provided a makeshift bridge. Then, with a bit of scrambling above short cliffs, we reach the old road by the trail fork adorned with a register. In hindsight, despite the chilling water, fording the shallow creek would’ve been way more straightforward.
After signing the register, it was a leisurely and mostly flat walk to the single-sided railing foot bridge at roughly mile 2.5. Just before there, we explored what looked like a hidden upper trail. But we returned to the main path when the dense slide alder appeared. Once off-trail past the bridge, we meandered through an open forest before slowly rising. Besides route-finding through the lush undergrowth, there wasn’t much view in the trees. The faint trails that popped up occasionally made me wonder if they were animal or old, deserted climbers’ tracks.
Ascending Steep Forest and Snowfields
Even more surprising, sparse flagging appeared now and then as the terrain steepened. Uncertain whether it led toward the upper basin, we followed a few ribbons as they marked the particularly steep portion of the ridge before disappearing. Most rotten tree rubble littering the forest was easy to step around. But of course, the debris always looked tripled the amount on the descent. Meanwhile, mosquitoes encountered en route were only noticeable in the lower forest.
Finally, at 4600 feet elevation, trees started to thin out, providing the first rewarding glimpse of Mount Shuksan and the neighboring ridges. For now, the sparse views alone provided much-needed motivation. Patchy snow began to appear around 4800. And by 5000 feet, as we entered the clearing, snow cover became continuous. Then, at another 200 feet higher, snowshoes were necessary to continue efficiently toward the base of Mount Sefrit.
Southeast Ridge Scramble to Summit
After noticing small pinwheels, a sign of warming snow, we hugged the rocks and trees closely. Thankfully, there were no visible cracks or thumping noises to suggest immediate concerns. However, old avalanche debris was visible before the main gully. I stashed snowshoes and poles by some prominent rocks before starting the steep mixed climb toward the southeast ridge. Before long, the rocky ridgeline leading to the top of Mount Sefrit revealed itself. Pockets of snow made the already sketchy terrain even more precarious. So Connor settled by the rocks and napped.
Soon, a sloped, featureless boulder atop a notch forced a brief drop onto the south to bypass. Then I regained the ridge toward a steep, narrow snow ramp between small rock towers, the direct path to the summit. I first attempted to cross the arête, but the sheerness on the other side made it unsafe. So, with crampons and the ice ax, I scaled the ramp from below to the rocks above it. Many decent holds were available along the outcrops to aid the final stretch. Unsurprisingly, there was just enough room for three people to sit comfortably.
Vistas from Mount Sefrit Plus Descent
After a short viewing session of the impressive and rugged peaks, it was time to reunite with Connor. The vistas of the border peaks were truly breathtaking. While the renowned Mount Shuksan stood majestically, Mount Baker remained mostly obscured by clouds. Nearby, classic high points like Ruth Mountain, Icy Peak, Goat Mountain, Tomyhoi Peak, and the American Border Peak Group completed the scenes. These views made the climb of Mount Sefrit even more rewarding.
Descending the steep south face was more manageable. It went so smoothly that we overshot the gear stash by about 100 feet. Unwillingly, we climbed back up to the rocks to retrieve the snowshoes and poles before retracing to the basin. There, recent snow releases over a much lower incline had taken out a portion of our earlier tracks. It was a powerful reminder of the ever-changing alpine environment. Since Connor was eager to get moving, he started to sniff our way down the mountain as snow slowly turned to dirt.
