Mount Ellinor — Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025

Overnight on Mt Ellinor from 10.29-30 2025 via summer route.

ROAD: The road was snow-free to the upper trailhead and overall in the best shape I've ever seen it. There were some rocky parts, but nothing too noticeable until one rough section under 0.5 miles from the upper trailhead. I think a sedan could get through it slowly and carefully - we cruised through in our Forester. 

The outhouse at the trailhead was locked for the season.

TRAIL: The trail was in good shape and snow-free to start. Patchy snow started after 4,200' and I eventually put on my spikes at around 4,400', around the split for the summer/winter routes. The trail past this point was more-or-less continuous compact snow and ice, although there were some bare stretches here and there.

There was a good boot path put in all the way to the summit and we did not need the snowshoes that we had carried (I guess a 40-LB pack is always good training). We dropped down about 100' from the summit to find a little sheltered camp site for the night.

Clouds were in and out for the day on Wednesday - we had a sunny afternoon nap and hoped for a beautiful sunset, but instead ended up completely socked in for the evening. Oh well. 

Thursday dawned bright and beautiful after a night of some gusty winds that we thankfully only heard howling above as, as we stayed sheltered in our nice little camp nook.

We hiked back up to the summit to watch the fiery dawn over a string of volcanoes and Lake Cushman, before packing up camp and heading back down. 

WATER: There was actually more water on trail than I expected between 4,660' and the last running water we crossed at around 5,230'. I carried up 3.5 liters which was more than enough for my needs for the entire trip.

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More Information on this Trip Report

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