Mt. Cruiser, South Corner—Flapjack Lakes

Mt. Cruiser is the highest peak of the craggy Sawtooth Range, rising just east of the scenic Flapjack Lake area. Smoot writes: "Mt. Olympus notwithstanding, Mt. Cruiser is probably the classic climb of the Olympic Mountains, definitely one of the best rock climbs in the range." Wow, sign me up! (Cruiser's photo on the cover of the Olympic Climber's guide does not hurt the popularity either.). After ascending a gully (hard snow in early season, rock in late season), and some traversing, two pitches of easy 5th class rock gets you to the top. Like many Olympic climbs, the approach trail is flat for a ways along a drainage, and then gets steep - 3,200 feet up in the last 4 miles. It's a 16 mile round trip from the car. Flapjack Lake is a popular destination - consider a weekday climb to make it easier to get the required backcountry camping permit (from the Staircase Ranger Station).