Magic S Loop

The Magic S Loop links three glaciers and a steep couloir into one continuous circuit through the Cascade Pass backcountry. Starting from the Eldorado trailhead, the route crosses Cascade Pass into Pelton Basin, then climbs through Cache Col past Kool-Aid Lake to Arts Knoll. From there, the Plan B Couloir on the south face of Hurry Up Peak serves as the crux: a steep, rocky mixed line requiring crampons and ice axe proficiency. The summit of Hurry Up Peak opens up views of Baker, Sahale, Buckner, Johannesburg, Spider, and Goode.

The descent rips down the S Glacier, crosses onto the Yawning Glacier, and loops back into Pelton Basin to close the circuit. Afternoon corn snow on the glaciers rewards patient timing. Most parties set base camp at Pelton Basin near the creek and run the loop as a day mission from camp, then exit over Cascade Pass the following morning.

This is deep wilderness terrain seldom visited by other parties. All three glaciers carry crevasse hazard, the couloir funnels rockfall, and the ridgeline traverses have dramatic exposure on both flanks. Rope travel, crevasse rescue skills, and confident movement on steep mixed terrain are mandatory. Glacier worms emerge on the Yawning Glacier at sunset, a phenomenon found only in the Coastal and Cascade ranges.