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- Washington 100 Highest
- Mount Bigelow
8,472 ft · Cascade Range, Washington
Mount Bigelow
Mount Bigelow is an 8,472 ft peak in the Cascade Range, Washington. The standard route is the East Side from Upper Eagle Lake: 15 mi, 4,140 ft of gain, Class 3.
Mount Bigelow at a glance
- Elevation8,472 ft2,582 m
- RouteEast Side from Upper Eagle LakeClass 3
- Distance15 mi4,140 ft gain
- Time12 – 14 hrsHard effort
- SeasonJun – Oct
- RangeCascade RangeWashington
Climbing the East Side from Upper Eagle Lake
From Twisp, follow SR 20 and SR 153 south to Gold Creek Road, then Forest Road 4340 and Crater Creek Road 4340-300 to the Crater Creek trailhead. A Northwest Forest Pass is required to park. Hike Eagle Lakes Trail 431 and the short spur to Upper Eagle Lake, then climb talus and snow to the northwest, threading cliff bands and keeping right of the long east wall until its north end. An exposed Class 3 finish of about 100 feet gains the summit. Loose rock and scree make a helmet worthwhile. The trail is shared with motorcycles and bikes, and Upper Eagle Lake has ample camping.
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
Helmet
What to watch for
- Loose rock
- Steep exposure
- Route-finding difficulty
- Rockfall
Quests with Mount Bigelow
Washington 100 HighestFrequently asked questions
How tall is Mount Bigelow?
Mount Bigelow is 8,472 feet (2,582 m) tall. It is in the Cascade Range, Washington.
How hard is it to climb Mount Bigelow?
The East Side from Upper Eagle Lake 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 4,140 feet of elevation gain.
How long does it take to climb Mount Bigelow?
Most people take 12 – 14 hours round trip on the East Side from Upper Eagle Lake, covering 15 miles with 4,140 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.
Is Mount Bigelow 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 Mount Bigelow?
It is a good idea. Loose rock and rockfall are common on the East Side from Upper Eagle Lake, so a helmet is on the gear list.
When is the best time to climb Mount Bigelow?
The usual climbing window is June to October. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.
Climb Mount Bigelow 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