Welcome to Off-Trail

Exposed section on Naches Peak (6452’)

The Off Trail section is featuring video shot during excursions of solitude, with emphasis on peaks climbed on the Mt. Rainier 100 list. The latest iterations of GoPro cameras have very good audio and good enough software stabilization to enable shoulder mounted shooting while ambulating, skiing or biking. Prior to 2024 I recorded mostly in 2.7K, but the newer cameras allow for 4K/60fps. As of 2022 I am adding 360 video when appropriate. Many of these will be during peak bagging outings, where I can go hours or days without seeing another soul. Some include usually high traffic and popular trails, but during off season or early/late hours, also devoid of people. Enjoy the sounds of footsteps, the crunch of snow, birdsong, wind…and sometimes labored breathing.

NOTE: the following peaks are multiples; look up under first peak: Barrier/Buell • Martin/August/Virginia/Berry • Plummer/Denman • Satulick/Iron/Copper • Stevens/Boundary • Wahpenayo/Chutla/Eagle

Naches Peak (6452')

On June 22, 2025 I joined Peter and TJ for a scramble/climb of Naches Peak (6452’). Technically this is just a class 3 scramble with an exposed down climb and traverse, but we decided to put in a line for protection. The weather was chilly in the morning with fog but the forecast was for improving conditions. We met up at Chinook Pass for the short access to the peak, just 1 mile

Right from the get go we were on snow, not surprising with the early season and altitude, but it was conducive for kicking in steps. Peter had instep crampons and TJ used microspikes, I used neither but made use of an ice axe. We soon gained the ridge leading to the 8 foot down climb and Peter set up the main anchor and proceeded to run the line to the base of the summit block on belay. TJ and I followed using a prusik to advance along the rope. Once past the exposed section, it’s an easy walk to the summit, which in our case had limited views due to the cloud layers.

We traveled a slightly different course on the way back, avoiding some of the ridge line we came up, ending with a nice glissade and walk to the vehicles. This is the second peak where Peter has provided the technical assistance and know how, of which I am very appreciative. This was #76 for me on the Mt. Rainier 100 Peaks list and, despite the lack of views, it was a splendid day in the mountains.

Tyee Peak (6,000')

Tyee Peak is accessed from Mt. Rainier's Northern Loop Trail near Windy Gap, with a social trail that deposits the hiker right at its base. I tagged this peak on a 2 day NLT transit, along with Pigeon Peak. My decision to circle the mid base of the peak to the east and climb the east face was doable but not prudent. The much easier route up the wooded west ridge proved to be the "normal" way, as I found out on my descent. Both routes are shown in this video.

Pigeon Peak (4280')

This remote peak is really just the end of a ridge, but it's on the Mountaineer's 100 peaks in Mt. Rainier National Park list, which is the only reason anyone would go there. Once I stepped off the Northern Loop Trail, I had 4.5 hours of brush, creeks and tightly packed trees to negotiate. On the return trip I dropped to a lower contour and the going was a bit better, but I was very glad to be back on trail. Rated Mature due to a few cuss words.

Marcus Peak (6962')

Marcus Peak was the last peak remaining in this part of the park for me, so I bagged it when I was camping at White River for a few days, driving up to Sunrise Point to hike the Palisades Trail. A left turn to Hidden Lake brings one to an informal trail that goes to the saddle between Palisades and Marcus. The Mountaineers book shows the route going up the ridge to Marcus, with the description saying stay mostly to the right. After floundering in the trees on the ridge, I dropped back down to open country and came across a trail that led to a gully, taking you right up to the base of the summit block. However, first I traversed over to the saddle on the NW side of Marcus to check out that route; it didn’t look inviting. I circled back to the trail and finally summited by gaining the ridge from an obvious gully. The summit block provided good solid holds to the top. Stats: 8.5 miles/3,500’ elev. Video rated Mature due to one cuss word.

Mt. Wow (6040')

First a note on the wonky video, which I eventually diagnosed and corrected after this trip. For those GoPro users, after a firmware update I had to make the Hero11 recognize that I had the Max lens mod installed

Third time’s a charm, trying for Wow from the West Side Road via the steep and unmaintained Lake Allen “trail.” Blog post is here. If you want to see more about the Lake Allen trail, click this. For this old guy it was an unrelenting, brutal day; stats: 6.7 miles/5018’ elev

Lane Peak (6012')

Lane Peak resides in the Tatoosh Range in Mt. Rainier National Park. It is described as a difficult scramble in the "100 Peaks in Mt. Rainier" guide due to a steep gully that must be ascended to attain the summit. On a beautiful summer like Thursday (October 5/2022) I decided to give it a go. The description was correct; but although steep, there are bountiful hand holds and I never felt very exposed. This was peak #65 for me in my ongoing chipping away at the list. The fact that the Tatoosh side of the park is simply spectacular, especially clad in fall colors, was icing on the cake. I mounted a GoPro Max 360 camera on my helmet to try to capture the essence of the gully climb.

Old Desolate (7137')

Old Desolate in Mt. Rainier National Park towers above Mystic Lake. Unlike singular peaks, Old Desolate occupies a long ridge. Towards one end the high point tops at 7137'. For this iteration I started at Sunrise and hiked the Wonderland Trail past Mystic Lake, Mystic Pass, and entered the area of Moraine Park. After ascending a dry wash to a plateau in Moraine Park, I climbed straight away to a sub peak on the ridge which offered astounding in your face views. However, to reach the summit proper I had to descend a bit and traverse the loose rock that covers the whole western face. The summit area is round and broad, peering down to Mystic Lake and across to the Burroughs Mountains and the entirety of the Winthrop Glacier. Stats for the day: 25 miles with 7700' vertical.

Central Cowlitz Chimney (7421')

This video starts on the contour below and around Banshee. Central Cowlitz is described as a moderate scramble, but I found the hardest part of the day to be the side hilling and route finding below Banshee to access the peak. The star of the day is the view from the summit, looking across to the sheer wall below Banshee and the Sarvant Glacier with Rainier in the background. As usual for this area of the park, goats were seen lounging in various places during the hike. Because I started and ended at White River campground, the day was longish at 22 miles with 5500’ elevation. Link to blog writeup.

Third Burroughs (7828')

Actually there’s a trail to First, Second and Third Burroughs mountains. I include Third Burroughs here because of the outstanding views to be had from this 7828 foot summit. Gazing down on the seracs of the Winthrop Glacier from a mere hike is a treat indeed! The first part of the video includes a short jaunt on the Emmons Moraine trail to check out the tarn downstream from the Emmons Glacier terminus.

Pinnacle Peak (6562')

Pinnacle Peak is generally described as a "moderate scramble." However, sustained class 3 scrambling on the upper approach makes this one of the harder peaks I've done. Slipping or falling here would not be pretty. My buddy sums up his thoughts on the climb on the summit shot, providing the "Mature" rating for this video. As usual, the downclimbing was more difficult than the ascent. However, all in all this was another magnificent peak in the Tatoosh range sporting expansive 360 degree views. Blog write up here.

Foss Peak (6524')

Foss Peak (6524') lies in the Tatoosh range in Mt. Rainier National Park. The approach is short, climbing a short way on the Pinnacle Peak trail to 5200', then proceeding via a way trail to the saddle between The Castle and Foss. A well established trail leads across the ridge between the two with relatively mild terrain all the way to the Foss summit. As usual for the Tatoosh peaks, expansive views in all directions are on the menu for most of the day. Blog write up here.

Scarface (6108')

Scarface is a relatively obscure peak in Mt. Rainier National Park that borders the northern section. It is accessed by driving FS 73 past Greenwater, WA. This is a fairly rugged road with deep potholes and ragged surfaces in some areas, but is generally OK for most vehicles that are not low slung. The peak itself is a wooded summit but sporting a sheer rocky face. Lake Eleanor is visible far below. I ascended via the ridge a bit past Lake Eleanor and descended via the south ridge (good boot track here), then intersected the Grand Park trail back to the vehicle. Although listed as an easy scramble, bashing through the woods and battling voracious mosquitos makes this a summit that one would probably only pursue because it's on a list. Stats: 8 miles/2400’

Barrier (6521')/Buell (5756') Peaks

The most difficult part of summitting these two peaks (Mt. Rainier National Park) was the access portion, involving unpleasant steep forest and meadow hiking. I connected the peaks via a ridge between the two, which was not difficult. Buell was a mostly wooded summit but with enough open areas to take in the views. To regain the Owyhigh Lakes Trail I basically went straight down a wooded hillside, in some areas so steep that I landed on my bum a few times from slipping on the forest detritus. Luckily it wasn’t a long section and I sighed in relief when I popped out on the trail, enjoying mellow slopes and easy travel back to my waiting vehicle. A worthy day indeed!

Banshee Peak (7400')

Banshee Peak (7400’) is accessed from Mt. Rainier’s Wonderland Trail at Panhandle Gap (6780’). The way trail leads to gentle meadowy slopes on the way, abundant with wildflowers and mountain goat in summer. The fairly gentle final ascent to the summit reveals an airy drop down to the Sarvant Glacier and views of the Cowlitz Chimneys. On my iteration I was camped at White River so most of this sojourn was on trail, totaling 21 miles RT and 4600’ of elevation gain/loss.

First Mother Mountain (6480')

First Mother Mountain (Mt. Rainier National Park) is accessed from Knapsack Pass. It is described as a moderate scramble. It is not the first peak one can see from Knapsack; there is a fairly steady boot path that takes the hiker beyond to the actual peak. My only difficulty was on the return; it took several tries to get beyond one section as I was obviously off route.

Castle-First Mother Ridge Transit

The title sums it up. I attempted a transit of the ridge between Castle Peak and First Mother Mountain, but ended up dropping down to the Knapsack Pass trail at the end when confronted by rocky outcroppings. But that's just me, I got it in my mind to "escape". Others may well stay high, skirting the outcroppings on the right to connect the two peaks without the short detour to Knapsack Pass.