Mount Maude
Central CascadesBest Jul–Oct
A 9,040-foot scramble up the Entiat Range's highest peak, with summit views from Glacier Peak to the Stuarts.
About This Trail
Mount Maude stands 9,040 feet in the Entiat Mountains, the highest non-volcanic peak in the area and a serious mountaineering objective. The standard route via Phelps Creek and Ice Creek gains 5,400 feet in 7 miles one way, with the final 2,000 feet crossing steep talus and loose rock on the south face. Route-finding skills are essential above treeline.
The approach follows the Phelps Creek Trail for 3.5 miles before branching onto the Ice Creek Trail. Leroy Basin provides a common base camp at around 6,800 feet, with established bivy sites among scattered larch trees. From Leroy Basin, the route ascends talus and scree slopes to gain the south ridge, then follows the ridge to the summit. The final scramble involves Class 3 rock and requires careful foot placement on loose terrain.
The summit panorama spans Glacier Peak to the west, the Stuart Range to the south, and the Entiat peaks stretching north. Seven Fingered Jack, Maude's neighbor, is often combined as a two-summit day or overnight from Leroy Basin. The Phelps Creek Road approach is rough but passable; the area was reopened after the 2025 Pomas Fire closure.
Seasonal Highlights
Mountain Weather
Astronomy
Trail Conditions
“The weather ranged from rain, snow, sleet to glorious sunshine.”
Last report: Oct 10, 2025
Scorecard
Popular with peak-baggers on October weekends during larch season. Leroy Basin can have 5 to 10 parties on busy fall weekends.
Safety & Considerations
Today's Hazard
- Strong sun — sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses recommended
Persistent Hazards
- Class 3 scramble on loose rock near summit
- Significant exposure on south ridge
- Route-finding required above treeline
- Lightning risk on exposed summit
- Early season snow makes route dangerous
Getting There
Phelps Creek trailhead, same as Spider Meadows. No toilet. Chiwawa River Road is rough dirt for the final miles.
Phelps Creek Trail for 3.5 miles, then Ice Creek Trail to Leroy Basin. From basin, ascend south face talus to south ridge and follow to summit. Class 3 scrambling on the final section.
Most parties camp at Leroy Basin and summit early morning. Day hikers need pre-dawn start for the 14+ mile round trip with 5,400 feet of gain.
Recent Reports
Stats: 19. 5 miles, 7405 ft gain Since the trail is now officially open since the pomas fire closure was superseded, me and a group of friends decided to do this trip that we've been hoping to do for a while.
Beautiful day up Leroy Basis to the ridge of Mt. Maude.
Overnight trip to Seven Fingered Jack and Mount maude Day 1 Arrived at Phelps Creek TH just past 7 AM to a long line of cars parked on the side of the road. There's a trail register but no blank register left.
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