Volcanic Neck, Bean Peak, Earl Peak & Bean Creek Basin — Thursday, Jun. 19, 2025

After pivoting from a different trip due to weather, I ended up in the Teanaways for a quick overnight to take advantage of my day off work. Camped in Bean Creek Basin and did a link-up of Earl Peak to Bean Peak to Volcanic Neck.

Got to the Beverly Creek TH around 4 PM… there were only two other vehicles, I met both parties on my way in as they headed out from day trips. I was surprised to be the only person camping at Bean Creek Basin, but I guess I got lucky!

The hike to the basin is straightforward. Brushy in some areas but always a clear trail to follow. It’s not a long hike but you’ll get a little elevation in!

Basin has plenty of campsites and Bean Creek is running nicely for a camp water source. Shooting stars are in full bloom and give a sort of purple haze across the basin floor!

Had a peaceful night and in the morning I was in no rush… set out around 8 AM and backtracked just a tad to hit the trail to Earl Peak. Trail is in good condition; some loose stuff near the top where it starts to get steep. Class 2 the whole way. Gorgeous views of Rainier, Adams, and the whole Stuart range. There is also a summit register.

From Earl I took the “unmaintained trail” along the long spine that connects over the Bean. The actual climbers trail faded in and out but if you just sort of stay high on the ridge, you’ll get there. It fun to see my tiny tent way below and I worked my way to Bean.

Bean is a fun little scramble. Class 3 in places where you have to climb a bit vertically, but it’s pretty much all very protected. No specific need for a helmet but ymmv.

I continued down the other side of Bean and back onto the long ridge that heads to Volcanic Neck. VN is a COOL looking piece of rock. It sits on the crumbling ridge almost like a big molar in a jaw and sort of looks out of place.

As you approach, continue around VN (hiker’s right; follow the trail) and on its backside is the gully you start the scramble. I dropped my pack here and put on my helmet. There is a LOT of loose rock so especially if you’re with others, a helmet is a good idea. I sent plenty of loose stuff down below me as I went up.

The actual scramble was not as spicy as I expected from other reports. It’s what I’d call heavy Class 3 with some Class 4 moves here and there. There IS a lot of exposure and areas where a fall would be… bad… so I think individual comfort level will vary depending on how much experience you have in this sort of terrain. I felt solid the whole time, but was also very careful about testing holds before trusting anything, as the rock isn’t always as it seems.

From the top, gorgeous views! I could have stayed all day.

Heading down was fine with careful butt-scooching and down-climbing.

Picked up my bag at the bottom and headed back the way I came. Back up and down Bean and then descended to the basin, packed up camp, and hiked out.

Lots of flowers blooming right now and tons of little butterflies. No mosquitos or bad bugs that I noticed, but a breezy night probably helped.

Trail is VERY exposed to the sun throughout so pack protection and plenty of water.