Mt. Daniel has been described as a classic alpine peak along the Cascade crest. It offers a moderate approach, scenic camp, interesting route and outstanding views from its snowfields and glaciers. The route is a moderate scramble up with exposure on the southeast ridge. It's best done in mid summer through fall when ridge is snow free. Early season accents requires crampons and ice axe.

Activity Notes

At 7960 feet, Mount Daniel is the highest point in both King County, the county of Seattle, and Kittitas County. It is situated in the heart of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness on the Cascade crest, it's waters draining to the Cle Elum River on the east side and the Skykomish River to the west. Daniel is a complex glaciated massif with five main summits along its east-west trending spine.

This is a nice intermediate level mountaineering trip to the Washington Cascades.  It is challenging without being overly difficult (class 2 and some 3) and excellent for recent BCEP grads as well as any others. We will not need ropes. There could be a small snowfield, so we will carry ice axes and crampons.

A photo collection from a previous Mazama trip can be viewed here:

http://breivog.zenfolio.com/p518297215 Or http://breivog.zenfolio.com/p518297215/slideshow

We will take 3 days to do this.  To avoid traffic and crowds,  we will  drive up early Friday morning and hike into the base camp at lovely Peggy's pond. The hike in is not too long or difficult, taking about 4 hours. We will climb Saturday on a rocky ridge with perhaps a few easy snow traverses; about 5-6 hours up and 4 down. Sunday, we will rise early, hike out  and drive home.

Other Information
Driving Distance from Portland 260 miles
Driving Time from Portland 6 hours
Expected Duration Car to car in two or more days
Relevant Books Selected Climbs in the North Cascades by Nelson and Potterfield Cascade Alpine Guide: Columbia River to Stevens Pass by Fred Beckey Scrambles in Washington by Peggy Goldman
Relevant Maps USGS 7.5 min Mt. Daniel; Green Trails Stevens Pass <href="http: maps.google.com="" maps?f="q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Mt.+Daniel+WA&sll=48.515211,-120.686531&sspn=0.017455,0.045233&ie=UTF8&t=p&z=15&iwloc=addr"" title="Google map">Google map</href="http:>
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