NORTH CHELAN SUMMIT CIRCUIT (Overnight Alpine Scramble)

1. OVERVIEW

🎯 Objective

Bag four major peaks from one efficient high camp at Boiling Lake.

📍 Why Boiling Lake = Best Staging

• Centrally located between all four summits
• Cleaner ridge connectivity → less elevation loss
• Faster big-day loops than Cooney Lake
• Reliable water + good camp platforms

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1. 🗓️ SCHEDULE SUMMARY

Friday – June 5

• 3:00 – Meet at Green Lake P&R 🚗
• 13:00–7:15 – Drive to Crater Creek Campground
• 7:15–8:00 – Set up car camp 🏕️
• Overnight – Sleep + prep packs

📆 DAY 1 – Saturday, June 6

• 04:00 a.m – Wake ☀️
• 05:00 a.m – Begin approach
• 8:00–8:30 a.m – Arrive Boiling Lake, set camp 🏕️
• 9:00 a.m –2:00 p.m– Bigelow → Cheops summits 🏔️🏔️
• 4:00 p.m – Dinner + rest
• Overnight – High camp

➤ Approach to Boiling Lake

• Distance: 6.5 mi
• Gain: ~3,100 ft
• Time: 3–4.5 hrs
• Route: Crater Creek TH → Eagle Lakes Trail → Horsehead Pass → Boiling Lake
• Notes: Reliable water, good tent spots
• Snow conditions: Low-snow year → Expect only isolated patches above 6,500–7,000 ft, mostly avoidable.

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🧗 Summit: Mount Bigelow (8,459 ft)

• RT: 4.5 mi
• Gain: ~1,900 ft
• Time: 3–4 hrs
• Terrain: Class 2/2+ talus
• Why first: It’s farthest from camp → most efficient to knock out early

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🧗 Summit: Cheops (8,108 ft)

• RT from saddle: ~3 mi
• Gain: ~1,000 ft
• Time: ~2 hrs
• Terrain: Mostly class 2
• Return: Same ridge back to camp for dinner

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📆 DAY 2 – Sunday, June 7

• 3:30 a.m – Breakfast
• 04:00–9:30 a.m– Martin → Switchback 🏔️🏔️
• 9:45–10:15 a.m. – Break camp
• 10:15–1:30 p.m – Hike out
• 1:30–5:30 – Drive to Seattle 🏠

🧗 Summit: Martin Peak (8,375 ft)

• RT: 4.5 mi
• Gain: ~1,800 ft
• Time: 3–3.5 hrs
• Route: South ridge from Boiling Lake
• Terrain: Class 2 rock

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🧗 Summit: Switchback Mountain (8,321 ft)

• From Martin: 1.8 mi
• Gain: ~600 ft
• Time: 1.5–2 hrs
• Terrain: Easy class 2
• Return: Retrace to camp → pack out

🎒 GEAR CHECKLIST (Low-Snow Year Adjusted)

Required

• Helmet
• Trekking poles
• Light traction optional (microspikes)
• Ice axe not needed unless freak June storm
• Water filter
• GPS + map
• Sun + bug protection (Sawtooths can be buggy in June)

⚠️ CONDITIONS & RISK NOTES

• Thunderstorms possible by mid-afternoon → summit early
• Martin Peak has loose rock in upper section
• Creeks are manageable in low-snow years
• Expect dry talus, sun exposure, and warm days
• This is NOT a guided trip, signing the RSVP means you are responsible for your own safety, and I will not be responsible for you.