Marble Peak

Update: Guard rails have recently been installed near the Marble Pass sign, which will require parking a short distance up or down the road.



When the water is not too high, one could wade across the river at this point, but I found it much easier to float across in my $15 inflatable raft. (At this point, according to the Cascade Alpine Guide, you have the option of heading upriver and taking Marble Gulch/Marble Pass to complete the climb. To me, the ridge on climber's right of Marble Gulch looks much simpler and safer, so that is the route described here.) 

After stashing your hip waders or raft, just plunge into the woods and start heading straight up. It is fairly open forest without too much brush to contend with. The most challenging portion on the lower part of the ridge will be a number of large windfalls between 1500' and 2500'. The ridge will be consistently steep from its beginning, until reaching a relatively level portion of the ridge at 3800'. There will be a couple of steep steps in the ridge between 3500' and 3800', but these are easily negotiated to the left or right.  In early season, when the route is snow covered, the relatively level portion of the ridge between 3800' and 4000' provides easy travel. In late season, or in a low-snow year, expect a brutal battle with blueberry bushes through this section.  

Once above 4000', you have two options: 1. Stay on the ridge, making minor detours to the right to avoid rock steps*, or 2. Drop off the ridge to the right, and make a rising traverse to climber's right in the basin below the summit block. From here you can join the SW trending summit ridge for an easy scramble to the top. Option 2 is probably easier, but the basin below the summit should be avoided if there is any avalanche potential. 

*The biggest detour off the ridge (to the right/southwest) will be made between waypoints 66 and 64 on the map below.

Despite its short stature, Marble Peak provides nice views, including a good look at Copper Lake and Vesper Glacier.

Getting There

Take the mountain loop highway east from Granite Falls for 21 miles, and park near the interpretive sign for Marble Pass. The very best parking is probably on the north side of the highway just a few hundred feet to the east of the sign. If you see the town of Silverton, you have gone too far.

Red Tape

No parking pass is required to park at this location. 

Camping

Plenty of camping can be found along the South Fork Stillaguamish River. Simply find a safe spot to park on the side of the highway and find your own camp, or pay to use a Forest Service campground if you are more civilized.