Big Craggy 8470' West Craggy 8366'July 17 2004 The Craggys' are two of big Bugler 100 in the Pasayten Wilderness, about 18 miles North of Winthrop, Washington. While not challenging technically, and considered some of the easiest of the Bugler 100, they are never the less, big and committing. There is no Climber's Route, so route finding skills are necessary. On the ridge or summit, all the big mountains of the entire Pasayten unfolds as well as North Gardner, 8,956', Silver Star, 8,876', and everyone's nemesis, daunting Jack Mountain, 9,066'! The Copper Glance Trailhead is 22 miles north of Winthrop. The first 2 miles are an old mining road to a mine, and then the trail begins. In the big green steep meadow begins the Southeast Ridge Route up Big Craggy. We were here once before, on June 12, but were thunder and lightening off the mountain. Usually, but not always the weather is better on the East side of the Cascade Crest. Doerte, Tillman, and I continued along the trail through the big green meadow, over the creek, past the pond, and on to Copper Glance Lake at 6,100' to camp. We were shocked to find no level camping sites at the lake. It was rocky and rough. Around the far side we found a somewhat level spot to pith our small tents. Using books, socks, etc, we smoothed out some of the rough spots. Tillman complained of blood rushing to his head since his feet were uphill. We relaxed for the rest of the afternoon watching the fish jump. Tillman even jumped in the cold lake. At 6 am Sunday morning we left for the Southeast Ridge, hoping to gain some elevation before the heat set in. The South Ridge was steep but easy until 7,800. Here we were challenged by scree and talus so we moved over to the bigger, but equally loose rocks. After 300' of extremely loose class 3 the going eased to the Summit. The summit register was placed by Fay Pullen a month before. We have seen her name in every register on every mountain we have been on in the Pasayten. Although we have never met her, we have seen her fresh tracks in the snow. One of the Skoogs was up last November. We followed the West Ridge down to the saddle at 7,600' between Big Craggy and West Craggy. At this point Doerte descended down the scree to an unnamed high lake while I continued on the ridge to West Craggy. In the Summit Register on West Craggy there were two old faded names from 2001. Josh Woods, and Jonathan Pryce. There were two Mountain Goats grazing on the summit plateau. Hurrying back to the saddle, I joined Doerte at the little lake for a quick lunch before we began bushwacking back to the trail and then back to camp. Tillman informed us that he was able to locate a nice flat spot for the tents if we come back in the future. Raindrops were beginning to fall as the clouds rolled in. The entire Valley below was soon filled with clouds and rain. The rain began in earnest as we finished breaking camp. It rained all the way out to the Trailhead, making for very pleasant hiking. We were soon happily soaked from the warm rain. Great wilderness in the Pasayten, we only saw one couple on our way out. Not bad for the entire weekend. 7 hours camp to camp. This can be done in a day from the Trailhead. The registers showed that only about 4-5 parties a year do the Craggys. We were only the second party of 2004. 2 days, 14 miles, 6,500' elevation gain.. Photos at http://www.grandcanyontreks.org/pasayten/craggy/craggy.html

It was an unusual occurance for late November. I stood on top of two of the tallest 100 peaks in Washington and was surrounded by rocks. Even in the gullies there was barely enough snow to kick steps. The day was wonderful with the air just cool enough to keep us comfortable and we were swallowed by the views north into the Pasayten Wilderness. These peaks are far away from Seattle and involve a 4 hr drive to get to trailhead. Drive east on SR 20 (North Cascades Highway) to the town of Winthrop. Then go north on the West Chewuch River Road (becomes FS road 51) for 9.5 miles and turn left onto Eightmile Road (FS 5130). Drive on this road for 12.3 miles until reaching the trailhead for Copper Glance Trail 519 on your left. All of these roads are fine for a family car. The trail starts as an old mining road and then winds its way through sparse forest. We reached thin continuous snow at 4900'. Continue on the trail until you reach Copper Glance Creek at about 6000'. We then hiked up the right side of the creek to the headwaters in a talus bowl at 7100'. West Craggy will be on your left here with Big Craggy on the right. There is a distinctive notch to be found on the ridgeline. The key gully to the summit of West Craggy is approached just west (left) of that notch. You reach the notch by hiking north and connecting with the saddle between Big Craggy and West Craggy. Then only traverse to the west at 7600' avoiding elevation gain. Once at the notch mentioned above you can go up the gully to the west of the notch. The route then is on scree/talus to the NW until reaching the ridge at about 8150. Once crossing the ridge West Craggy is an easy walkup from the south on talus. I then retraced my steps back to the saddle at 7600' and traversed over to the top of Big Craggy on horrible scree with intermittent talus. My partner had already climbed Big Craggy so I soloed the peak and met him back at the car. My descent route was to drop down the SE Ridge until it connected with Trail 519 at about 5850'. This route is not recommended for the upclimb as the slope has loose dirt and small scree. It is easier to semi-glissade this stuff on the downclimb then to struggle with missteps going up. Of course if it is covered with snow then it doesn't make a difference. I spooked a hare on the way out. His fur had changed completely to white for the winter season which hopefully will be here soon. From car-to-car took exactly 8 hrs.