Hiking Rock Mountain near Stevens Pass
Contents
Rock Mountain Hike Information
Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 14.00Km (8.70 Miles)
Elevation Gain: 1,265m (4,150 Ft.)
Highest Elevation: 2,087m (6,847 Ft.)
Average Gradient: 18.07%
Effort/Reward Ratio: High / High
Time Needed:
– Slow: 7 – 8 Hours
– Moderate: 6 – 7 Hours
– Fast: 5 – 6 Hours
Dogs Permitted?: Yes
Season: ~June to October
4×4 / High Clearance Required? No
Scrambling / Exposure: None
Rock Mountain Trail
Trailhead Coordinates: 47°46’30.7″N 120°57’28.0″W
Rock Mountain Overview
Rock Mountain is one of many easily accessed summits around Stevens Pass in Washington, with a small parking area right off of Highway 2 allowing straightforward access. There is another route to the summit from the northwest via Snowy Creek that is a little shorter with less elevation, but the standard route goes from Highway 2 to the south, which will be described here.
Rock Mountain is a steep but non-technical affair, with no scrambling required. The views from the summit are quite rewarding, with clear sightlines to Mount Stuart, Glacier Peak, many of the Mountain Loop Highway peaks and of course the peaks around Stevens Pass. You’ll even see Mount Baker and Rainier on a clear day.
In terms of seasonality, this hike is best saved for late spring and summer once the snowline has receded to higher elevations. The hike is very steep at the beginning, and in snow it would prove extremely challenging. Once the snow has melted though, the trail follows a frankly ludicrous amount of switchbacks up into the alpine where the gradient mellows out a bit.
Much of the hike is south facing and exposed to the sun, even at the beginning, so you will want to prepare for this in the summer if going in higher temperatures especially. Make sure to bring plenty of water and solar protection.
Rock Mountain is dog friendly.
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Is Rock Mountain worthwhile?
Rock Mountain is a pleasant, no-brainer hike to a scenic summit with rewarding views. Given the relatively moderate effort to reach the summit (don’t get me wrong, it’s certainly steep but it’s by no means long) this is definitely a worthwhile hike and one of the more straightforward options in the region.
How difficult is the hike to Rock Mountain?
With an average gradient of over 18% this is a pretty steep hike, especially at the start where the switchbacks are fairly relentless. Still, this is one of those efficient hikes that gains elevation quickly at a consistent gradient. Once you’re past the switchbacks it gets a bit easier for a while before a steep climb up to the southern ridge. From there it’s a simple jaunt over to the summit.
Technically speaking this hike is very straightforward, with no requirement for scrambling and no exposure.
Rock Mountain Route Information
Parking for Rock Mountain is from a small pullout a few kilometers east of Stevens Pass. Make sure you map it as the pullout is very easy to drive past. You can park immediately or you can actually drive the first 500m or so of the trail in a vehicle with some clearance, as it is just an FSR.
Assuming you park immediately, the hike begins by following the FSR beneath some power lines overhead before a sudden switchback after ~500m. Continuing for a couple hundred more meters you will see your vehicle down below, but after one more wide switchback you’ll begin the steep climb in earnest.
From around 925m (3,035 Ft.) elevation to 1,550m (5,085 Ft.) elevation you will zigzag steeply up the southern slopes, all the while constantly exposed to the sun on this dry and dusty trail. Make sure to bring plenty of water as you will not have access to any, despite being fairly close to Schilling Creek. The advantage of these open slopes is that much of the hike offers ever improving views of the valley below, with Arrowhead, Big Chief, Jim Hill and the Chiwaukum Mountains all gradually coming into view as you continue to climb. The trail itself will also offer some pleasure, as it can often be bespeckled with alpine flowers and other colorful foliage throughout the summer.
Mercifully, at around the 1,550m (5,085 Ft.) mark, the switchbacks cease as you gain one of the ribs branching out from Nason Ridge. You’ll now continue straight, still climbing, but at a much more manageable gradient, as you amble through the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. You’ll pass by an artillery warning sign shortly ahead, but don’t fret, as long as you stay on the trail you’re all good.
As you continue the ascent you’ll begin to see a rocky outcropping to the northwest that you may think is the summit. Unfortunately this is not it, however you do need to climb this as it is a buttress along the south ridge of Rock Mountain, with the summit not too far from here.
At around 1,890m (6,200 Ft.) you’ll reach a junction with the Nason Ridge trail. Heading right leads to Rock Lake, which some people may want to detour to as it’s not far. Instead, to reach Rock Mountain you’ll want to head left as you climb towards that buttress you saw earlier. You’ll now be able to see why this is not the summit, as Rock Mountain itself will easily be visible from here.
After a short but steep climb up, with a few more switchbacks thrown in for good measure, you’ll find yourself atop that buttress, which itself offers quite rewarding views of the surroundings, notably the bowl below Nason Ridge. This is also where the trail from the Snowy Creek trailhead intersects.
The route to the summit is now obvious, you simply follow the broad ridge along to the top. This is jumbled with rocks so take care not to twist an ankle. Once on the summit you’ll find evidence of an old lookout, and there’ll be plenty of space to spread out and savour the views. Try and identify some of the peaks around, on a clear day you should be able to see Glacier, Rainier, Baker, Pugh, Sloan, Stuart, Bedal, Big Chiwaukum and many more.
After you’ve rested up at the top, you simply return back the same way.
When should I hike Rock Mountain?
Rock Mountain is best saved for late spring or summer once the snowline has receded to higher elevations. Usually this means June to October are the best times to go. Given this is a sun exposed trail, you may want to time it for a cooler day.
Top Tip
Poles will be helpful on this one, especially on the descent of the switchbacks.
Bring plenty of water and solar protection as this hike is exposed to the sun for the majority of the trail.
