⛰️🍂 TOMYHOI PEAK — FALL COLORS & EPIC NORTH CASCADES VIEWS 🍂⛰️

⛰️🍂 TOMYHOI PEAK — FALL COLORS & EPIC NORTH CASCADES VIEWS 🍂⛰️
Get ready for a BIG fall adventure! Tomyhoi Peak combines colorful alpine meadows, mountain lakes, rugged ridgelines, and absolutely spectacular views of Mt. Baker, Mt. Shuksan, Mt. Rainier, and the surrounding North Cascades. 🍁🏔️
But don't let the beautiful fall colors fool you — this is a seriously challenging hike. The route is long, gains a lot of elevation, and the final push to Tomyhoi involves scrambling, exposure, and route-finding. If you find the final scramble challenging there is always option to skip the last bit.

📌 Hike Overview
• 🥾 Difficulty: Hard / Highly Challenging
• 📏 Distance: ~12.2 miles round trip
• ⛰️ Elevation Gain: ~4,662 ft
• ⏱️ Estimated Hiking Time: Full-day adventure
• 🍂 Best For: Fall colors, alpine scenery, big mountain views
• 🧗 Terrain: Steep hiking + scrambling + some exposed sections
• 🗻 Highlights: Tomyhoi Peak, alpine lakes, ridgelines, Mt. Baker & Mt. Shuksan views
• 🐕 Dogs: No
• 🏔️ Summit Elevation: ~7,300 ft

🍁 Why This Hike?
Fall transforms the high country around Tomyhoi into a spectacular mix of gold, green, and red, with the rugged North Cascades rising all around you. The scenery gets better and better as you climb toward the alpine.
And then comes the fun part — the final approach to Tomyhoi Peak. 😈
Expect scrambling, route-finding, loose/rocky terrain, and exposure near the summit. The true summit is substantially more technical than a normal hiking trail, so experience with scrambling and comfort on exposed terrain are important.
The reward? 360° mountain views. 🏔️🔥

🚗📍 Schedule & Meeting
• 6:30 AM – Meet at Green Lake P&R
• 6:35 AM – Depart promptly
• ~7:30 AM – Quick coffee/restroom stop at safeway Mt. Vernon
• ~9:30 AM – Arrive at trailhead
• ~9:35 AM – Begin hiking
• ~6:30 PM – Return to trailhead (~8–9+ hr hike + breaks)
• ~9:30 PM – Estimated return to Green Lake P&R

🅿️ Parking Permit
• America the Beautiful Pass or Northwest Forest Pass required.
• Trailhead road is gravel and can be rough/potholed, so drive carefully.

🚗 Carpool Arrangements
• 📌 Carpool coordination & updates: Please check comments
• 🚙 Can offer a ride? Please mention your starting point.
• 🙋 Need a ride? Please comment with your location.
• 💵 Carpool contribution: $35 per passenger
• Contributions help cover gas and vehicle wear & tear.

🛡 Safety & Fitness
• ⚠️ This is a Hard / Highly Challenging hike — please honestly assess your fitness and experience before joining.
• 🧗 The final section requires scrambling and route-finding and includes exposed terrain.
• 🪨 Loose rock and steep terrain require careful footing.
• 🗺️ Download an offline map and stay on the safest established route.
• 🍂 Fall conditions can change quickly at higher elevations — snow, ice, wind, and cold temperatures are possible later in the season.
• Everyone is ultimately responsible for their own safety, fitness, preparation, and decision-making.

🎒 Bring the 10 Essentials
• 🥾 Hiking boots with good traction
• 🦯 Trekking poles strongly recommended
• 🔦 Headlamp + spare batteries
• 🧥 Waterproof / wind-resistant jacket
• 🧤 Warm layers + extra layer for the summit
• 💧 3L+ water
• 🥪 Plenty of food + lunch/snacks
• 🕶️ Sunscreen + sunglasses
• 🩹 First-aid kit
• 🗺️ Navigation/GPS + offline map

🚘 Carpooling Culture
• Please be ready on time — we have a long day ahead!
• Be respectful of drivers — this is a long-distance trip.
• Drivers: Understand your responsibilities and liabilities for the trip.
• Passengers: Help keep the car clean and make the drive enjoyable for everyone.

⚠️ Disclaimer
This is a group hiking meetup, not a guided or professionally led expedition. Conditions can change quickly, especially at higher elevations. Please hike within your own abilities and turn around if conditions or terrain become unsafe.

🍂🏔️ Fall colors, alpine lakes, scrambling, and huge North Cascades scenery — Tomyhoi Peak is going to be one hell of a fall adventure! 🔥