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- North Gardner Mountain
8,962 ft · Cascade Range, Washington
North Gardner Mountain
North Gardner Mountain is an 8,962 ft peak in the Cascade Range, Washington. The standard route is the Southwest Route via Gardner Meadows: 24 mi, 7,740 ft of gain, Class 2.
Photo: Ron Clausen, CC BY-SA 4.0
North Gardner Mountain at a glance
- Elevation8,962 ft2,731 m
- RouteSouthwest Route via Gardner MeadowsClass 2
- Distance24 mi7,740 ft gain
- Time2 – 3 daysHard effort
- SeasonJun – Sep
- RangeCascade RangeWashington
Climbing the Southwest Route via Gardner Meadows
From Winthrop, cross the Methow River and take Twin Lakes Road, Wolf Creek Road and Forest Road 5505 to the Wolf Creek trailhead. Hike the rolling Wolf Creek Trail, burned in 2021 and prone to blowdowns, about 10.5 miles to Gardner Meadows and camp. Traverse northwest into the high basin between Gardner and Point 8487, climb to the ridge on its left, and follow it over Point 8487 to the top on loose scree (Class 2). Circuit option: add Gardner by the connecting ridge, about 25 mi and 8,350 ft. A Northwest Forest Pass is required; fill out the free wilderness permit at the trailhead.
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
What to watch for
- Loose rock
- Route-finding difficulty
- Remote location
- High winds
Quests with North Gardner Mountain
Washington 100 HighestFrequently asked questions
How tall is North Gardner Mountain?
North Gardner Mountain is 8,962 feet (2,731 m) tall. It is in the Cascade Range, Washington.
How hard is it to hike North Gardner Mountain?
The Southwest Route via Gardner Meadows is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 24 miles with 7,740 feet of elevation gain.
How many days does it take to climb North Gardner Mountain?
Most climbers plan 2 – 3 days for the Southwest Route via Gardner Meadows, with at least one night on the mountain.
Can a beginner hike North Gardner Mountain?
The Southwest Route via Gardner Meadows needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard trip: 24 miles with 7,740 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 North Gardner Mountain?
The usual hiking window is June to September. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.
Climb North Gardner 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