Pyramid Mountain #1433,North Fork Entiat River #1437,PUGH-PYRAMID LOOP,Pyramid Viewpoint #1441,Pyramid Creek #1439,Pugh Ridge #1438
Oct 14, 2001
- Type of Outing
- Day hike
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: North Fork Entiat River
- Region: Central Cascades -- Entiat Mountains
- Trails: North Fork Entiat River (#1437)
- Avg Rating: 2.50
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Pugh Ridge
- Region: Central Cascades -- Entiat Mountains
- Agency: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Entiat Ranger District
- Trails: Pugh Ridge (#1438)
- Avg Rating: 3.20
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Pyramid Creek
- Region: Central Cascades
- Trails: Pyramid Creek (#1439)
- Avg Rating: 3.00
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Pyramid Viewpoint
- Region: Central Cascades
- Trails: Pyramid Viewpoint (#1441)
- Avg Rating: 2.75
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Pyramid Mountain
- Region: Central Cascades
- Trails: Pyramid Mountain (#1433)
- Avg Rating: 3.00
- Be Aware Of
- Snow on trail
The Pugh-Pyramid Loop begins at the end of the North Fork Entiat River Road, and heads up the North Fork Entiat River Trail to the junction with the Pugh Ridge trail. This latter trail climbs steeply to the 6600-foot saddle atop Pugh Ridge, traverses the crest until dropping to intersect the Pyramid Mountain trail, and then follows South Pyramid Creek back to the trailhead at the end of the N. Fork Entiat River Road. A side-trip up the Pyramid Viewpoint Trail adds a great view and some extra vertical and mileage.
Jim, Kevin and I left the cars shortly after 11:00 Saturday morning under nearly cloudless blue skies. We first encountered snow on the trail at approximately 4200 feet. The snow cover became more continuous the higher we went, completely covering the trail at about 5000 feet. We saw three people on the summit of Pyramid Mountain when we were on Pugh Ridge. High clouds began to accumulate, and the speed at which they streamed past the summit indicated high winds aloft. Something was moving in. Several hours later, we met up with the three summiteers as they descended the trail. They spoke of 60 mph winds on the summit.
Despite the snowcover, we were able to follow nearly all of the trails with no problem. Our only routefinding difficulties were on the Pugh Ridge crest, where the trail becomes lost in grassland; however, the light vegetation makes for easy travel, so we simply stayed on the crest and regained the trail in woodsy areas.
By 6:00pm, we were ready to make camp. We found a lovely larch-studded basin at about 6500 feet, beneath the summit. The basin had about 6 inches of new snow, and the effect of the new snow, the setting sun, blue sky, and the golden larches was breathtaking. Not long after we finished dinner and crawled into the tent, it began to snow lightly.
It snowed off and on during the night. We woke to a fresh inch or two, and after a hot breakfast, headed up the trail to summit Pyramid Mountain. The trail was snow covered, and was drifted in places to several feet deep, but it was passable in heavy trail boots. A wind crust was also developing on the more exposed slopes.
The wind was blowing only about 10 to 20 mph on the summit. We enjoyed great views, but there were clouds swirling about some of the higher summits. Someone had placed an ammo can on the summit, holding a notebook and a disposable camera. What an interesting project - the person placing the camera asked each group to take a picture, and write something in the notebook. The can even contained a postage-paid envelope in which to send the camera back when it is finished. Neat idea! There were three pictures remaining when we left the summit.
The weather steadily improved all day as we headed out. The South Pyramid Creek Trail was snow-covered with about four inches of snow to about 5000 feet. The sunnier exposed sections held less snow than the forested valleys. Below 5000 feet, the inch of snow on the trail was slushy, and became patchy as we descended to 4500 feet. Below about 4200 feet the trail was snow free.
Trip stats: 22.4 miles, 6000 vertical
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