Saska Peak

Saska Peak rises to 5,254 feet in the North Entiat River drainage, the most accessible of the three major summits in the area (the others being Emerald and Cardinal Peaks). The route gains over 8,400 feet of cumulative elevation over a long multi-day approach via the North Fork Entiat Trail, with the final push to the summit involving Class 3 exposed scrambling off a high pass.

The North Fork Entiat River road is rough but passable for a Subaru-class vehicle with careful driving. The trail up the valley is prone to annual blowdowns, and clearing crews cannot always keep up. Recent reports describe navigating multi-tree pileups in the first few miles, though passage is possible with effort. One approach option uses a mountain bike for the initial valley miles to save time.

The summit scramble requires gear and experience. Exposure on the final ridge is real, and the rock quality is typical Central Cascades volcanic terrain. The peak ranks among the Washington State Top 100 and pairs well with Emerald and Cardinal for a multi-day peak-bagging trip. Late summer and early fall provide the best conditions, after the snowpack clears the high passes.