Dark Peak
Central CascadesBest Jul–Sep
Remote 8,513-foot scramble requiring a ferry ride to Stehekin and multi-day commitment.
About This Trail
Dark Peak tops out at 8,513 feet and requires a multi-day approach from Stehekin, making it one of the more logistically demanding scrambles in the North Cascades. Access starts with a boat ride on the Lady of the Lake ferry from Chelan (2.5 to 4 hours depending on the boat), followed by the valley shuttle bus to High Bridge trailhead. From there, the approach follows maintained trail before turning to off-trail scrambling and climbing.
The single trip report on WTA describes a "nasty, brushy approach" that turned out better than expected once the party committed. Strategic logistics matter here: the ferry schedule dictates your timeline, only one boat runs per day, and you need to plan overnight stays in Stehekin on at least one end. The climbing itself requires gear, expertise, and routefinding experience through a mix of old-growth forest, alpine terrain, and summit scramble.
This is deep wilderness by any measure. The Stehekin Valley approach filters out all but the most committed climbers, and the peak sees vanishingly few ascents per year. The reward is a true North Cascades summit experience with views into the heart of the range, far from roads and crowds.
Seasonal Highlights
Astronomy
Trail Conditions
Scorecard
Essentially zero traffic. The ferry-dependent access and off-trail climbing requirements limit this to a handful of parties per season.
Safety & Considerations
Today's Hazard
- Strong sun — sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses recommended
Persistent Hazards
- Climbing gear and expertise required
- Brushy approach with routefinding
- Ferry schedule constrains logistics
- Remote location with no cell service or easy evacuation
Getting There
No parking at trailhead. Take the Lady of the Lake ferry from Chelan to Stehekin, then the valley bus ($7/adult) to High Bridge.
Take the Lady of the Lake ferry from Chelan to Stehekin (plan for 2.5-4 hours). Catch the valley bus to High Bridge trailhead. Only one ferry per day, so plan overnight in Stehekin on at least one end. Check ferry schedule well in advance.
Multi-day trip required. Plan at least 3 days total including ferry logistics. Camp at High Bridge or along the approach. Summit push should start at first light from a high camp.
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