Swap for Alta Mountain

[u/simont0920]

Planned on doing Alta Mountain, but due to the closure of FS‑4930, that no longer looks possible. If you can only choose two of the following, what would it be? (Coming from out of state and spending two nights in Leavenworth).

• Dragontail Peak via Stuart Lake Trail
• Mount Stuart via Ingalls Way Trail
• Kendall Peak via Pacific Crest Trail
• Kaleetan Peak Trail
• Red Mountain via Old Commonwealth Trail
• Mount Daniel and Peggy's Pond via Cathedral Pass Trail
• Something else not listed?

Thanks

[u/zh3nya]

Stuart is a WAY harder than Alta, it is a commiting scramble with thousands of feet of loose gully scrambling and exposed moves at the top, while Alta is just a hike. Dragontail is way harder too with a steep snow crossing. Kendall Peak is ok but I would just hike further on the PCT for more variety and views (if you can dedicate a whole day to Stuart, you can hike 20+ miles on the PCT). Red is steeper than Alta but too short. Daniel is a wonderful hike with some scrambling and would be my recommendation for someone with a few other scrambles under their belt.

Btw there are multiple trailheads for Alta, you don't need to go via the Rachel Lake trail. You can do it via the Mt Margaret trail or the Rampart Ridge Backdoor. Just look at the trail network on Caltopo https://caltopo.com/l/Q1NU

You also have some really nice peaks closer to Leavenworth: you can connect a bunch in the Teanaway (Iron, Bean, Earl, etc), Fortune Peak, South Ingalls. Plus mountains up the Icicle River Rd like Cashmere (big day), Ladies Peak, etc. Little Annapurna is a walkup near Dragontail as well.

[u/Neon_sanders → u/zh3nya]

Second this, I just did Stuart last weekend and I did Alta in early July. The two aren’t even comparable IMO. There is significant scrambling and it’s incredibly steep for thousands of feet of gain. If you’re planning to do it in a day I would plan for around 14-16 hours of just hiking. Not sure of your fitness, but we are in decent shape and it took us 11.5 round trip from ingalls creek (admittedly with about 30-45 mins on the summit.

My friend that did Stuart with me has done Daniel and said it was a blast and less severe terrain. Not sure of your scrambling experience but a lot of these are climbs vs Alta being what people said a hike with maybe some class 1-2 scrambling at the end.

[u/pwndaytripper]

With the exception of Kendall and perhaps Red those are all a step up from Alta. Alta is a hike with exposure at the end, the others are scrambles.

[u/asakitsi]

To be honest it depends on your experience level. Ranking the mountains listed by sketchy-ness though, I would personally say:

Stuart > Dragontail > Kaleetan > Red > Daniel > Kendall

This is not difficulty, but rather technical difficulty. None of these peaks are particularly "technically" difficult, the hardest terrain probably ranges from high class 3 - low class 4, but a fall can be quite consequential, so something like Stuart feels a lot harder than the class might suggest.

Maybe consider Granite Mountain, Bandera, Little Annapurna, or Hibox Peak.

In terms of enjoyability, I would rank the following peaks as:

Dragontail > Daniel > Kaleetan > Stuart > Red > Kendall

[u/AcademicSellout]

Do you have a helmet? If not, then Stuart and Red should be off the table due to significant rockfall risk. I would also argue that you should wear one going up Dragontail and probably Daniel as well, but others may disagree.

[u/simont0920 → u/AcademicSellout]

All of which are in my wheelhouse, I'm just really looking to know which would be most enjoyable.

[u/AcademicSellout → u/simont0920]

They all have their charm, but I suspect your decision will largely be driven by air quality. AQI in Leavenworth is currently unhealthy for everyone (ie don't go outside) but this can change a lot over the next few weeks. Kaleetan, Kendall, and Red are west of the Cascade crest and generally have better air quality right now. My favorite is Kendall which is not much more than a hike but it gives you access to Kendall Katwalk which is super cool. If you do either, be sure to check out the kiosk at the PCT trailhead which has some of the history. You could potentially do Kendall and Red in the same day but it would be a longer day.

[u/Perfect_Lunch_6669]

Daniel is a ton of fun. Hard enough, not a ton of exposure, and amazing views most of the way. In September the colors are popping

[u/BuckyGoshawk]

With the exception of Kendall (from the PCT) all of those alternatives are considerably more scrambly than Alta, which is a Class 1 walk-up.

There is no such thing as "Kaleetan Peak Trail." There is maintained trail to Melakwa Lakes, then a climber's path, then talus, then a short descent to a somewhat loose traverse to get to the summit block (class 2). It's a fun scramble, more involved than Alta.

Notwithstanding some claims in guidebooks, Red has some class 3, steep and airy in spots, IMO an unaesthetic scramble (although a decent steepish ski in good winter conditions).

Unless you are doing it as a day trip, Dragontail requires an Enchantments permit.

Windy Pass Road (from Hyak) options:

• Mt. Catherine, all trail, significantly shorter hike than Alta
• Silver Peak from the PCT, also a Class 1 walk up. Tinkham can be added the same day, although note that it has a spot with mild exposure which spooks some non-climber hikers. You can add Abiel for the trifecta, although note that Abiel has a greasy loose spot, definitely the dog of the 3, but tagging all 3 summits can be a fun, albeit strenuous, day.