This is, without question, one of the gnarlier trails around. At about the halfway point, the trail disappears under a deep blanket of snow. The view from the summit is breathtaking.
Dan Winter - May 31, 2008 9:23 pm Date Climbed: May 31, 2008
West Ridge
The road was covered in snow before the trailhead. I am still unsure where the actual trailhead was. Oh well, we just followed the steps in the snow hoping they knew the way to the start of the trail! Luckily they did. Once we located the start of the trail it was pretty straight forward. It wouldn't be hard to get off route on the way down if you aren't careful. A pretty fun trip.
The road was snowed in down to 2000ft. We followed snowshoe tracks all the way up (without snowshoes). Beautiful day, great views. I got a pretty bad sunburn!
High winds, heavy rain, blinding snow. No views at all. Definitely not the best day to do this peak, but i had to give it a go... But judging from the photos from other people, this would be spectacular on a clear day!
RdyHiker - Dec 20, 2006 7:33 pm Date Climbed: Jul 30, 2006
Only 30% Chance of Precipitation Forecast
But it started raining the moment we left the cars. Rain became heavy rain, which turned into a brief light snow, then to heavier rain, hail and finally a deluge. We had a virtual river runnng through the trail on our descent. Oh, I nearly forgot the strong winds - and the dense fog that rolled in. We froze our butts, BUT our band of 7 persisted (on Persis!) to the summit. Steep first couple miles and from the bushwhacking we had to do it looked like no one had been up there for a while. Zero visibility - - I'll have to go back next year for the views.
osatrik - Sep 1, 2006 4:50 am Date Climbed: Apr 3, 1993
West Ridge Trail
A planned snowshoe trip turned into a hike (not enough snow). This trip was memorable as my first hike with Tom Morgan, something of a minor legend in the world of Seattle climbing. Like everyone else's first experience, my reaction was "Who is this old guy, and where does he get all that energy?"
Bicyclebob - May 22, 2006 1:48 am Date Climbed: May 21, 2006
Mt Persis
Lots of sun, lots of snow, perfect hiking weather! Ran into a couple of guys on the way up and had the summit to myself. Snow line is just below the false summit but was nicely packed and traversed in boots and crampons. Bugs were out and so were some flowers and squirrels. Good early season hike.
ren - Feb 18, 2006 11:03 pm Date Climbed: Nov 13, 2004
Route Climbed: West Ridge 11/13/04
Steep beginning for a rewarding summit. My first good look at Index and Baring. Well, brief look because the clouds were rolling in ond out. Original plan was to do Index also but postholing and short daylight hours prevented that.
Route Climbed: West ridge Date Climbed: 20 August 2005
Second time up this season. Incredible views and weather. Took some friends up for their first time.
jdavies212 - Apr 24, 2005 12:37 pm Date Climbed: May 30, 1977
Route Climbed: Off trail from north side Date Climbed: May 30, 1977
Climbed in heavy thigh-deep snow (without snowshoes!) on a crystal-clear day with stupendous views of Mt. Index and the Town of Index to the north. Warning: stay way back from the cornice at the summit in heavy snow conditions. We stood at an apparently "safe" spot at the summit to see the views; but later, viewing the same spot with binoculars from the Town of Index, we shuddered at the very precarious spot we had stood.
Route Climbed: West Ridge Date Climbed: January 25, 2005
Climbed the West Ridge route on a nice warm, sunny January day. Hit snow around 4700', but there were only large patches here and there. Hardly any snow for being January!
EastKing - Oct 19, 2008 7:53 pm Date Climbed: Oct 19, 2008
Via the "trail"Great views and great weather
Cascade Scrambler - Jul 13, 2008 12:58 pm Date Climbed: Jul 11, 2008
Still snowed in at halfway point!This is, without question, one of the gnarlier trails around. At about the halfway point, the trail disappears under a deep blanket of snow. The view from the summit is breathtaking.
Dan Winter - May 31, 2008 9:23 pm Date Climbed: May 31, 2008
West RidgeThe road was covered in snow before the trailhead. I am still unsure where the actual trailhead was. Oh well, we just followed the steps in the snow hoping they knew the way to the start of the trail! Luckily they did. Once we located the start of the trail it was pretty straight forward. It wouldn't be hard to get off route on the way down if you aren't careful. A pretty fun trip.
BKW - Apr 14, 2008 4:47 pm Date Climbed: Apr 12, 2008
West RidgeThe road was snowed in down to 2000ft. We followed snowshoe tracks all the way up (without snowshoes). Beautiful day, great views. I got a pretty bad sunburn!
jtmerrill - Oct 17, 2007 5:14 pm
West RidgeHigh winds, heavy rain, blinding snow. No views at all. Definitely not the best day to do this peak, but i had to give it a go... But judging from the photos from other people, this would be spectacular on a clear day!
RdyHiker - Dec 20, 2006 7:33 pm Date Climbed: Jul 30, 2006
Only 30% Chance of Precipitation ForecastBut it started raining the moment we left the cars. Rain became heavy rain, which turned into a brief light snow, then to heavier rain, hail and finally a deluge. We had a virtual river runnng through the trail on our descent. Oh, I nearly forgot the strong winds - and the dense fog that rolled in. We froze our butts, BUT our band of 7 persisted (on Persis!) to the summit. Steep first couple miles and from the bushwhacking we had to do it looked like no one had been up there for a while. Zero visibility - - I'll have to go back next year for the views.
osatrik - Sep 1, 2006 4:50 am Date Climbed: Apr 3, 1993
West Ridge TrailA planned snowshoe trip turned into a hike (not enough snow). This trip was memorable as my first hike with Tom Morgan, something of a minor legend in the world of Seattle climbing. Like everyone else's first experience, my reaction was "Who is this old guy, and where does he get all that energy?"
Bicyclebob - May 22, 2006 1:48 am Date Climbed: May 21, 2006
Mt PersisLots of sun, lots of snow, perfect hiking weather! Ran into a couple of guys on the way up and had the summit to myself. Snow line is just below the false summit but was nicely packed and traversed in boots and crampons. Bugs were out and so were some flowers and squirrels. Good early season hike.
rialtosol - Feb 27, 2006 3:18 am
Route Climbed: West RidgeNice winter conditioner. Scouting Index
ren - Feb 18, 2006 11:03 pm Date Climbed: Nov 13, 2004
Route Climbed: West Ridge 11/13/04Steep beginning for a rewarding summit. My first good look at Index and Baring. Well, brief look because the clouds were rolling in ond out. Original plan was to do Index also but postholing and short daylight hours prevented that.
kati8293 - Jan 21, 2006 11:18 am
Route Climbed: West Ridge Date Climbed: September 26, 2005Beautiful day with an amazing view. Only thing missing on this trip was the register. Looked all over and it was nowhere to be found.
Bicyclebob - Aug 22, 2005 12:27 am
Route Climbed: West ridge Date Climbed: 20 August 2005Second time up this season. Incredible views and weather. Took some friends up for their first time.
jdavies212 - Apr 24, 2005 12:37 pm Date Climbed: May 30, 1977
Route Climbed: Off trail from north side Date Climbed: May 30, 1977Climbed in heavy thigh-deep snow (without snowshoes!) on a crystal-clear day with stupendous views of Mt. Index and the Town of Index to the north. Warning: stay way back from the cornice at the summit in heavy snow conditions. We stood at an apparently "safe" spot at the summit to see the views; but later, viewing the same spot with binoculars from the Town of Index, we shuddered at the very precarious spot we had stood.
Andy Dewey - Jan 27, 2005 1:06 pm
Route Climbed: West Ridge Date Climbed: January 25, 2005Climbed the West Ridge route on a nice warm, sunny January day. Hit snow around 4700', but there were only large patches here and there. Hardly any snow for being January!