Crater Mountain is situated just east of Ross Lake and dead center in the North Cascades. This area which is found in the Hozameen Range. The top of Crater Mountain holds two separate summits which until recently housed a fire look. From the high point this area has some best views of the North Cascades. With names like the Picket Range, Jack Mountain and Goode Mountain surrounding its landscape one can see why little attention is paid to this peak from a skiing perspective.

After a six a.m. departure from Seattle I arrived at the Crater Mountain trailhead at 10 a.m. With not another car to be found I knew the whole area would be mine. The sweltering summer heat blazed above me as I packed my backpack in silence. Occasionally that was interrupted by the occasional car driving past on Highway 20.

Hiking Off Highway 20 Towards Crater Mountain

From the moment I started hiking on the abandoned trail I was soon greeted by lush green forest. The trail cut into the nearly vertical cliff side dropping abruptly into Canyon creek. Switchback after switchback the trail quickly gained elevation. There were no shaded resting spots to hide from the afternoon sun in sight for the first five miles. I was first greeted by the commotion of rushing waters as I hiked the dust covered trail. By now my mouth salivating with the though of drinkable water. The moment I stepped into alpine I was surrounded in jaw dropping vistas. In front of me there were multiple waterfalls cascading down a near vertical glacier carved wall. At the base of these numerous creeks was a small tarn lake and a perfect spot for a break.

I had pushed myself for many hours so a rest was in order. Sitting on the edge of the tarns drinking liter after liter of the freshly melted water. The heat had taken its toll on my body but with every drink I could feel myself getting stronger. With rested feet and a hydrated body I set off again. It was time for the final push up to Crater peaks sub summit. From here on I would have to sacrifice the shade that I had come to love. In exchange I had panoramic views of the cascades. For months I had been obsessively looking at topographical maps and here I was eye with the alpine. To the east there were peaks like Mt Ballard, Golden Horn and Tower Mountain.

Heading up to and snowboarding the Jerry Glacier

The slopes to the east were absent of snow. To the south high glaciers of the North Cascades still lingered on the peaks . With views of Buckner Mountain and Black Peak coming into view my mind became flooded with memories. This high crest is home to some of the tallest and most challenging peaks in all of the Cascades.

I had been hiking for well over 6 hours without a skiable line in sight so I was grateful when I arrived at the sub summit of Crater Mountain and saw snow in the distance. From my vantage I looked directly down at Crater lakes turquoise waters filled with glacial silt and breaking loose of the tight grip of ice that had smothered it for the past 9 months and the Jerry Glacier beyond. The only thing that stood between me and the glacier was a thousand foot face melted out and riddled with cliffs. My only hope of making it down to the lake would be by down climbing an exposed ridge which provided mellow terrain other then a 50 foot crux of 4th class scramble.

With tree branches in hand I down climbed the crux, skis scrapping against near vertical rock and feet slipping on the smooth granite until I finally got back on mellow terrain. After the face it was easy hiking down glacier carved rock until arriving at Crater Lake where I dropped off my approach shoes in exchange for snowboard boots.

A Stunning view of Jack Mountain from Crater Mountain

Out of everything I had seen throughout the day the highlight was an up-close view of Jack Mountains south face. I had heard of and seen the face in pictures but nothing truly represented how massive and steep it actually is.

It had been my goal to attempt Jack Mountain and its 9100 foot summit this season but with small weather windows and bigger projects I never had the opportunity to make it that way. This giant would have to wait for a later time.

Snowboarding down the South Side to the Crater Mountain Trail

With my Splitboard on my feet I quickly skinned up the Jerry Glacier situated in-between the two summits of Crater Peak before reaching a low col. The glacier provided perfect low angle corn as I retraced my skin track tacking in the views of the Pasayten Wilderness.

This was my final trip in the range project and as down climb back to my car I thought back to all the climbs

I had done in the past 9 months. I had dealt with everything from 0 degree snowstorms to sweltering heat and finally I was done with a project I had obsessed over for so long. This season had been by far the most exhausting season yet with brutal approaches and hair raising descents and it was finally over.

While I am taking a much needed break, I look forward to my project in the upcoming year.

Thank you for reading this trip report on Crater Mountain

If you want to see more ski tours within the the Highway 20 corridor check out this link.