Mount Stuart

Mount Stuart rises to 2,870 meters, making it the second-highest non-volcanic peak in Washington behind Bonanza Peak. The standard route via the Cascadian Couloir covers 17.9 km round trip with 1,923 meters of elevation gain. This is a major mountain objective that demands fitness, scrambling ability, and solid route-finding skills.

The approach crosses Longs Pass and drops into the Ingalls Creek drainage before climbing steeply into the couloir. The Cascadian Couloir itself is a Class 3 scramble on variable rock and scree, with conditions changing significantly depending on snowpack and season. Early season brings consolidated snow that can simplify the couloir but requires ice axe and crampons. Late season exposes loose rock and scree that makes every step deliberate.

The summit block delivers one of the finest viewpoints in the state. Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, Glacier Peak, and the full Stuart Range spread out in every direction. The Enchantment lakes glitter directly to the northeast. On clear days, the view extends to the Olympics.

Most parties camp at Ingalls Creek the night before and push for the summit at first light. A single-day car-to-car push is possible for very fit scramblers but leaves little margin for error. The mountain demands respect: weather changes fast at nearly 3,000 meters, and retreat from the couloir in deteriorating conditions requires careful downclimbing.