Snowgrass Mountain
Washington, United States, North America

Snowgrass Mountain

Page Type Page Type: Mountain/Rock
Location Lat/Lon: 47.68386°N / 120.93276°W
Additional Information County: Chelan
Activities Activities: Hiking, Scrambling
Additional Information Elevation: 7993 ft / 2436 m
Sign the Climber's Log
Sign the Climber's Log!

Overview

Big Chiwaukum South Face
Big Chiwaukum seen from the northeast peak

At 7993 feet, Snowgrass Mountain is the second highest point in the Chiwaukum Mountains of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.  Located at the southern end of the main backbone of the range, it shares a north ridge with the highest peak Big Chiwaukum and south ridge with the unofficially named Ladies Peak.  There are two main summits which give this mountain a broad hulking appearance when viewed from the southeast.  The southwest peak is 38 feet higher and the easier to attain, while the northeast peak is more rugged and requires some sustained class 3 scrambling to reach the top.  There are several small permanent snowfields on the north face.  Snowgrass Mountain is literally surrounded by small lakes, 8 to be exact.

Snowgrass from Ladies
The south face seen from Ladies Peak
Snowgrass Mountain
The north face of Snowgrass Mountain

There are two main ways to access the peak.  The Whitepine Creek approach can be taken to access the south ridge at some point north of Ladies Peak and involves some scrambling along the ridge.  Whitepine Creek is the best choice if you wish to do Snowgrass in combination with Big Chiwaukum.  Icicle Creek and Frosty Pass is another option.  But the standard route begins on the Chatter Creek trail and is class 2.  See the route section for more information.  Snowgrass Mountain sees fewer ascents compared to other Leavenworth area peaks.  The reason for this is that it is isolated and there is no trail to the summit.  Also it lacks substantial prominence.  From Ladies Pass to the summit and back requires roughly 3.5 miles of traversing across loose scree and talus along with a varying amount of snow depending on the season.  As of July 2013 there was a brass Mountaineers cannister style register.

Above Grace Lakes
Scrambling above Grace Lakes to the northeast peak

Because of it's isolated location, it's better to climb Snowgrass as an overnight trip.  The surrounding area offers a wide variety of other easily attainable summits.  With extra effort, it's possible to tack on an extra two or three peaks.  You will feel accomplished when you return to your car.  See also Grindstone Mountain and Cape Horn, both of which are nestled along the standard Chatter Creek route.  As for camping options, Lake Edna is a scenic choice but it can be buggy in the summer months.  Ladies Pass might be a better choice for that reason and there is a large tarn on the northwest side of Cape Horn which holds water late into the summer months, perhaps even all year.

Snowgrass
The Southeast Face

Snowgrass Mountain
The Northwest Face

Chatter Creek Route

From the Chatter Creek trailhead follow the trail through forest to 4370 feet. Cross the creek and continue along the trail on the east side of the creek. Break out of the trees at 5000 feet and you will have a view of the east face of Grindstone Mountain. Continue through meadows and then brushy slopes towards the pass at 6660 feet, northeast of Grindstone Mountain.

Cape Horn above Lake Edna
Lake Edna

Just before the pass, at 6200 feet, the trail passes near Chatter creek and crosses some rocky slabs. Be careful not to lose the sight of the route here and if in doubt, head straight uphill until the trail is visible again. When you reach the pass at 6660 feet you will have a view of Big Jim Mountain to the northeast and the Index Creek drainage down below.

Ladies Snowgrass Panorama
Ladies Pass, Ladies Peak and Snowgrass Mountain

Follow the trail down 540 feet to a junction at 6140 feet and turn left onto the Icicle Ridge trail. You will have to regain this 540 feet on the trek out. Snow and tarns linger in this area late into the summer. Continue east on the trail and gain another 600 vertical feet to reach Lake Edna with plentiful camping spots.

Snowgrass Map 1
Map 1

Snowgrass Map 2
Map 2

Snowgrass Map 3
Map 3

Follow the trail beyond Lake Edna through talus to another pass located at 7000 feet on the northeast shoulder of Cape Horn.  From here you will have your first view of Ladies Peak as well as Snowgrass Mountain.  Take a note of the two distinct summits.  From this vantage the left one is the one you want.  Continue beyond the pass and down to Ladies Pass where you will come to another trail junction and an ancient sign.

Cape Horn and Flowers
Cape Horn and Grindstone Mountain

Continue beyond the junction leave the trail and follow the southeast ridge of Ladies Peak (Point 7708 on maps) for  two tenths of a mile to elevation 7720 feet and then drop 100 feet over the north side to access the broad slope which is the east face of Snowgrass.  Once you have dropped down, the slope ahead makes for easy travel, but getting to it from the ridge of Ladies is the crux of the trip (class 2).  It's steep and perhaps a challenge for those who don't like scree.

The Northeast Peak
Approaching the northeast peak

It's further than it looks from Ladies Pass to the summit, roughly 1.8 miles.  The traverse goes across lots of talus and some scree with a few bands of vegetation for good measure.  It's advantageous to do the climb in June or July so as to avoid some of the loose talus when it is covered with snow.  Do not linger below the north ridge of Ladies Peak for rockfall is a danger there.  From the beginning of the traverse to the summit there is a gain of 1200 feet.

Craggy Ridge
Rugged terrain near the top of the northeast peak

For those who also wish to continue from the true summit to the craggy northeast peak, descend a few hundred feet and traverse for a half mile along the southeast slope to a point below the south face.  Climb blocky 3rd class rock with some exposure on the south face to reach the crest of the ridge, then find a talus ramp on the north face and follow it east.  Just below the northeast peak, scramble back to the crest of the ridge and scramble a short distance to the summit.

The Northeast Summit
On the summit of the northeast peak

Getting There / Driving Directions

From the town of Leavenworth on Highway 2, take Icicle Creek road 15 miles to the Chatter Creek trailhead located on the right (north) side of the road.

Video Trip Report

Red Tape / Camping

A northwest Forest pass required to park at the Chatter Creek trailhead. DO NOT camp on the shore of Lake Edna. Regulations require require a distance of at least 500 feet to reduce soil erosion.  Also remember to fill out the free Alpine Lakes Wilderness permit at the trailhead and carry it with you.

External Trip Reports

Grindstone Mountain North Face
Grindstone Mountain as viewed from the vicinity of Ladies Pass



Images

View Snowgrass Mountain Image Gallery - 28 Images

Table of Contents
Geography
Parents 

Parents

Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. For example, theAconcagua mountain page has the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits' asparents and is a parent itself to many routes, photos, and Trip Reports.

Alpine Lakes WildernessMountains & Rocks