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- Big Craggy Peak
8,477 ft · Cascade Range, Washington
Big Craggy Peak
Big Craggy Peak is an 8,477 ft peak in the Cascade Range, Washington. The standard route is the Southeast Ridge: 7 mi, 4,750 ft of gain, Class 2.
Photo: Eggbones, CC BY-SA 4.0
Big Craggy Peak at a glance
- Elevation8,477 ft2,583 m
- RouteSoutheast RidgeClass 2
- Distance7 mi4,750 ft gain
- Time6 – 8 hrsHard effort
- SeasonJun – Oct
- RangeCascade RangeWashington
Climbing the Southeast Ridge
From Winthrop, drive the West Chewuch Road 8 miles and turn onto Eightmile Creek Road (FR 5130, paved then good gravel) to the small Copper Glance trailhead. Hike the old mining road and Copper Glance trail past the mine to the meadows near 5,800 ft, then leave the trail and climb the open, burned southeast ridge. Near 7,800 ft the grade steepens into loose scree; trend to solid rock on either side and avoid parties above you. The summit ridge has two near-equal points. Water ends after the first creek. Fill out the free wilderness permit. Circuit option: Big and West Craggy, 12 mi / 5,800 ft.
Gear and hazards
What to bring
Backpack (35–55 L)
Hiking Boots
Water
Offline Maps
Headlamp
Satellite Communicator
Whistle
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Sun Hat
Midlayer
Insulated Jacket
Hardshell Jacket
Warm Hat
Buff
Midweight Gloves
Trekking Poles
GPS Device
Power Bank
Water Filter
First-Aid Kit
Emergency Bivy
What to watch for
- Loose rock
- Rockfall
- Dry conditions
Quests with Big Craggy Peak
Washington 100 HighestFrequently asked questions
How tall is Big Craggy Peak?
Big Craggy Peak is 8,477 feet (2,583 m) tall. It is in the Cascade Range, Washington.
How hard is it to hike Big Craggy Peak?
The Southeast Ridge is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 7 miles with 4,750 feet of elevation gain.
How long does it take to hike Big Craggy Peak?
Most people take 6 – 8 hours round trip on the Southeast Ridge, covering 7 miles with 4,750 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.
Can a beginner hike Big Craggy Peak?
The Southeast Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 7 miles with 4,750 feet of elevation gain. Build up on shorter hikes first, start early and carry plenty of water and layers.
When is the best time to hike Big Craggy Peak?
The usual hiking window is June to October. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.
Climb Big Craggy Peak with Yak
Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list