Quick-and-dirty version
Access: Pacific Crest Trail North @ Rainy Pass
Round Trip: 24.8 miles
Elevation Range: 4880′-7685′
Essential Gear: helmet
Dog-Friendly: with guidance
Our goals took us through Cutthroat Pass, one of Washington State's many scenic high passes.
Rainy Pass Turnoff: Amazingly, the massive pothole-filled .25-mile stretch from the highway to the trailhead hasn't changed since our visits in 2014 and in 2021, the hottest summer in Washington State.
Pacific Crest Trail (PCT Section L): Debris-free and well-maintained for the first eight miles we walked before going cross-country shortly past Granite Pass.
THE WATER:
- Two streams in the forest between the trailhead and Porcupine Creek
- Several streams between Porcupine Creek and the head of the basin, including the last water (streamlet) .75 miles below the pass
- The next place for water wouldn't be until the outlet of Snowy Lakes, a bone-dry path for 5+ miles
- If skipping the lakes, West Fork Methow River would be the next place for water after walking 7+ miles on an arid trail
THE CAMP: Tower Mountain's southeast saddle, 200 feet above the PCT and closer to Straight Ridge. Most non-thru hikers camp on Cutthroat Pass with a near-panorama from east to west, where Porcupine Peak, Cutthroat Peak, and Silver Star Mountain make up most of the scenery.
Our Route
- Hike the PCT for eight miles past Granite Pass and leave the path.
- Walk over Tower Mountain's southeast saddle, drop 500 feet into Pine Creek Basin, and scramble north to the mountain's east saddle at 6401.
- Drop 600-800 feet into Cataract Creek Basin and traverse north-northwest into the meadow basin, a perfect camp spot viewing Straight Ridge and Tower Mountain's north face.
- Climb Straight Ridge via the south gully and return to saddle camp.
- Back on the PCT above Granite Pass, where Tower Mountain first appears, leave the trail and climb Pine Pitch Peak half a mile east via the west ridge.
- Return to Cutthroat Pass and climb Peak 7552, a little over half a mile northwest overlooking the pass.
- Hike out.
Highlights
- Gorgeous weather on both days, bluebird on day two
- Views at every turn above the trees from Cutthroat Pass and the stretch of PCT through the top of Swamp Creek
- Seeing Tower Mountain, Golden Horn, and The Needles from the PCT
- The impressive north sides of Tower Mountain, Golden Horn, and Holliway Mountain
Lowlights
- Freezing morning temperatures in the shade, plus the overnight frost
- Short drizzles on the evening of day one
Comments
Thank you for including a detailed report on water sources! You rock😀
Posted by:
clopitypoo on Sep 19, 2024 07:46 PM
Sure thing!
Posted by:
onehikeaweek on Sep 19, 2024 08:35 PM