Wahpenayo Peak in the Tatoosh Range - Where is Kyle Miller?

Wahpenayo Peak is the western most peak of the Tatoosh range above Longmire Visitor Center. Being before the gate it is one of the more underrated peaks within Mount Rainier National Park. Even reaching the peak you are in some of the most beautiful old growth trees in all of the Cascade Range. With the trailhead starting at 2,700 feet Joe and I waited for a low freezing level storm and decided to head into the area.

Heading up Wahpenayo Peak Trail

After seven weeks of drought the weather came back with a vengeance. The storms raged and dropped numerous feet in the high country with the tail end of the storm going cold. Knowing there was going to be issues with opening the gate we decided to head up WahpenayoPeak. We started skinning from the Longmire Parking lot at around 8:30 starting in the low old growth forest. Breaking in the skin track we were surrounded by trees the size of cars as we made our way towards the alpine.

Joe skinning through the Old Growth Forest near Longmire

Once in the alpine we had finally made our way into the Tatoosh Range. Skinning below the rocks of Chutla Peak we were happy to be back in the sun. The day was a stunningly clear and windless compared to the heavy storm that had finally finished the day before.

skining across the valley to access Chutla Saddle

Climbing Over Chutla Saddle

Once reaching Chutla Saddle we had a clear view of the upper slopes of Mount Rainier. From our perspective we could see the top of the Success Glacier Headwall, The Kautz Glacier and the Gib Chute all caked in new snow.

near the saddle and preparing to access a NE facing run to the base of Wahpenayo Peak

We made our first run down to the base of the north face of Wahpenayo Peak. From the first turn we knew it was a great day. From our perspective we wondered if the gate had opened up to Paradise and if people were breaking trail up the Muir Snowfield.

Joe skiing with Rainier in the Background

Once we saw the terrain we were happy that we had come out there. The trees were nicely spaced with open slopes everywhere. While we had done research on the topographic maps it was great to see the area with our own eyes.

Skinning up Wahpenayo Peak

Once we saw both the terrain and the snow conditions we were happy that we had come out there. The trees were nicely spaced with seemed perfect. So we transitioned and started climbing our next run.

Looking at the North slopes of Wahpenayo Peak — Looking at the North slopes

We quickly transitioned at the base of the cold basin and started making our way up Wahpenayo Peak for our next run. After putting switchback up the steep lower slopes the views opened up of Eagle Peak. Behind Joe is the col that we skied down for our first lap.

Ski touring up Wahpenayo Peak with Eagle Peak in the background — Ski touring up with Eagle Peak in the background

Once in the upper basin the terrain mellowed out dramatically as we broke trail in over a foot of unconsolidated snow. As the clouds came in and end the slopes would light up and entice us to keep moving forward.

Ski touring up Wahpenayo Peaks North Slope in Mount Rainier National Park — Ski touring up the North Slope in Mount Rainier National Park

Snowboarding down the North Face of Wahpenayo Peak

Once on the summit of Wahpenayo Peak it was time to ride the North face. From our previous run and the skin track we knew each turn was going to be amazing. By now the sun was going on the snow as we started riding and making sure not to touch each others track.

The first snowboard turns off Wahpenayo Peak — The first snowboard turns

Making our way down the upper slopes we charged across the upper flats looking forward to the steeps below. It was amazing looking at the snow crystals glistening in the sun as they hung in the air after every turn.

Finding great powder snow on Wahpenayo Peak — Finding great powder snow

Once at the base of the north face of Wahpenayo Peak we were plastered with snow just like the trees. It had been my best run of the season and well worth the long approach. Not only was it ridiculously deep but it was also super stable champagne snow.

Amazing powder turns ski touring in the Tatoosh Range

Heading Back to the Col

The moment we made it to the base the clouds blocked out the sun. I was so used to getting skunked and finally we had played the cards just right. It had taken us hours to break trail up to the peak and it was time to skin back to the Chutla Col for our final run. Heading back we could help but turn around and smile at our track.

Leaving Wahpenayo Peak to make our way back to Chutla Saddle — making our way back to Chutla Saddle

20 minutes later we were back at the col and preparing for our final run back to Longmire. Since we had skinned up the route we knew we would able to ride all 3,500 feet in powder conditions. It had been a great time riding but it was time to head back to our car.

Reaching Chutla Saddle with Wahpenayo Peak in the Tatoosh Range in the background

Riding Down to Longmire Visitor Center

Finally we were making our way down the last run of the day with the clouds lighting up in the afternoon sun. We were able to ride through the perfectly spaced trees in great powder conditions. While the snow wasn’t as deep it was still amazing all the way down to the trailhead and back to our car.

Skiing back to the car parked at Longmire from Chutla Saddle in Mount Rainier National Park

We had scored on conditions as well as terrain. We had known little about the area but were finally able to know what the topographical lines actually looked like. Once at the car we found out that the gate had not opened at all that day. We decided to take a gamble going up Wahpenayo Peak and it had paid off big time.

Thank you for reading this trip out to Wahpenayo Peak. If you want to see more ski tours within Mount Rainier Backcountry check out this link.