Tower Mountain / Golden Horn (3-Days)

Join me for an epic trip in the North Cascades.

Distance: 26 miles
Elevation Gain: 7,500 ft
Difficulty: Very hard (Technical)

Let’s finish out the season with a last epic backpack and mountaineering trip! This trip has it all: beautiful lakes, well maintained trails, high mountains, exciting climbing, and larch trees! Our trip begins from near the uber popular Rainy Pass trailhead, but rather than head to Heather or Maple Pass, we will follow the PCT up over Cutthroat Pass to the Snowy Lakes and make camp. From this basecamp, we can set out to climb the nearby peaks. Tower Mountain is #71 on the classic Bulger List and involves sustained class 3 scrambling, but is supposedly one of the most fun scrambles in the state! Golden Horn (#74 on the Bulgers) is easier at first, but eventually reveals a summit pyramid with exposed class 4 climbing. Most likely, we will set a rope to protect people for this section, so bring some light climbing gear and know-how. The third day, we can gradually hike back out on the PCT to the cars, having finished the season in style!

I intend to take Friday off and make this a 3 day trip. This makes for a more relaxing, enjoyable, and less crowded trip where we don’t have to rush the scramble section or slog for long hours.

Itinerary
Day 1 (Fri Oct 2)
Leave Seattle and drive to trail
Hike into camp at Snowy Lakes

Day 2 (Sat Oct 3)
Climb Tower Mountain
Climb Golden Horn

Day 3 (Sun Oct. 4)
Hike back to trailhead
Return to Seattle

This trip involves a variety of terrain including both non-technical scrambling (Tower) and semi-technical exposed climbing (Golden Horn). If you are interested in Golden Horn, be sure to bring the appropriate gear and never push yourself beyond your abilities.

You will also need all the gear necessary for backpacking and the ability to carry it (35+ lbs).
This is an excellent trip report with pictures:
https://www.thewildoutsiders.com/adventure-journal/golden-horn-and-tower-mountain

Alltrails route is here:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/ascent-of-tower-mountain-on-2026-07-26-fc42ebc

Gear list:
Hiking Poles
Clothes with multiple layers
Helmet
Headlamp
Water (2-3 L capacity)
Water Filter
Food
GPS
Tent*
Sleeping Bag
Sleeping Pad
Stove* and Fuel
Pot and eating utensil
Sanitary Supplies
Bear Canister*
Any other ten essentials
*Starred items can be shared, most other things are individual.

Technical Gear for Golden Horn
Harness
Rappel Prussik
Belay Device
PA or extension sling
2-3 Carabiners

Team
30-40 m rope (alpine ok)
2 sets anchor material

Everyone will start out on the waitlist. Strong preference will be given to people I’ve hiked with in the past and I know they have the necessary skills for this trip.

I will cancel if the weather forecast is bad. As the weather can be unpredictable, the plan may change on short notice.

Riders will reimburse their drivers for gas. A Northwest Forest Pass is needed for drivers, though we will probably be parked on the side of the road near Rainy Pass.

Important: I am not a guide and this is not a guided trip. Wilderness trips are inherently dangerous, and this trip involves high-risk activities such as rock climbing. You and yourself alone are responsible for your own safety. Please know your abilities before signing up.