Old Snowy
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Hikes including this destination:
- Goat Lake Loop Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Snowgrass Flat Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Weather forecast: NWS/NOAA
- Maps: Oregon Hikers Maps Google Maps
- Latitude, Longitude: 46.512194, -121.454287
- Elevation: 7930 feet
Contents |
Description
Like the other peaks in Goat Rocks, Old Snowy Mountain was once a part of a 10,000+ feet high stratovolcano which has been extinct for some 2 million years and was eroded by glaciers.
Depending on different sources, Old Snowy Mountain is either the second (after Gilbert Peak) or the third (after Ives Peak) highest peak in the Goat Rocks. Some sources say Ives Peak is 7,840 ft high; others say it's 7,940 ft - from the top of Old Snowy it looks like Ives Peak is slightly higher. PCT goes most of the way to the top of Old Snowy.
To climb the mountain, follow the PCT until it crests at about 7,650 feet (its highest point in Washington). Then follow the top of the ridge South on a small unsigned trail. There is a scramble on loose rock just before the summit, but nothing technical. You may even take the older kids to the top. There is some height exposure on this final stretch of the hike. On a good weather day the views are superb.