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- Buck Mountain
8,536 ft · Cascade Range, Washington
Buck Mountain
Buck Mountain is an 8,536 ft peak in the Cascade Range, Washington. The standard route is the West Shoulder from Trinity: 15 mi, 6,500 ft of gain, Class 3.
Photo: Martin Bravenboer, CC BY 2.0
Buck Mountain at a glance
- Elevation8,536 ft2,601 m
- RouteWest Shoulder from TrinityClass 3
- Distance15 mi6,500 ft gain
- Time2 – 3 daysHard effort
- SeasonJul – Sep
- RangeCascade RangeWashington
Climbing the West Shoulder from Trinity
From Lake Wenatchee, drive Chiwawa River Road (FR 6200) to its end at Trinity. Hike the Buck Creek Trail about 5 miles, cross the creek, and climb the burned east ridge of Mount Cleator into the High Pass basin. Traverse to the ramp on Mount Berge's east buttress, cross to the Berge-Buck saddle, and climb pumice and Class 3 breaks to the summit ridge. Brush and route-finding are serious. Chiwawa River Road is closed to cars beyond Atkinson Flat through 2027 and the Little Giant Fire area is closed through April 2027, so check current access. Trinity takes a Northwest Forest Pass; fill out the free wilderness permit there.
Gear and hazards
What to bring
Backpack (55–75 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
Helmet
What to watch for
- Route-finding difficulty
- Loose rock
- Steep exposure
- Remote location
Quests with Buck Mountain
Washington 100 HighestPeaks near Buck Mountain
Frequently asked questions
How tall is Buck Mountain?
Buck Mountain is 8,536 feet (2,601 m) tall. It is in the Cascade Range, Washington.
How hard is it to climb Buck Mountain?
The West Shoulder from Trinity is Class 3, which means scrambling, where you use your hands to climb and a fall could be serious. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 15 miles with 6,500 feet of elevation gain.
How many days does it take to climb Buck Mountain?
Most climbers plan 2 – 3 days for the West Shoulder from Trinity, with at least one night on the mountain.
Is Buck Mountain dangerous to climb?
It has real risks: exposed sections where a fall would be serious, rockfall from loose rock and tricky route-finding. Go with an experienced partner, wear a helmet, test holds before you trust them and turn back if the rock is wet or icy.
Do you need a helmet for Buck Mountain?
It is a good idea. Loose rock and rockfall are common on the West Shoulder from Trinity, so a helmet is on the gear list.
When is the best time to climb Buck Mountain?
The usual climbing window is July to September. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.
Climb Buck Mountain 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