[TR] Cashmere Peak (8501') - South Ridge 09/11/2021

[Kuato]

Trip: Cashmere Peak (8501') - South Ridge

Trip Date: 09/11/2021

Trip Report:

Cashmere Peak (8501') – Eightmile Lake Trail Approach  – Sept  11-12, 2021 (Sat, Sun).

The weekend weather in the Leavenworth area was looking good.  I texted DanO and he was game for a climb.  We headed for the Alpine Lakes Area, why not, everyone else was.  We climbed Cashmere Peak (8501') over the weekend.  We started the climb from the Eightmile Lake Trailhead off Icicle Creek Rd. 

Saturday:  We headed out from the trailhead (3280’) at 7:00am.  The trail is in good condition, lots of traffic.  We stopped at Little Eightmile Lake for water (4400’) since we had heard the next section up the burn area was dry.  Turns out there were 2 water sources we passed going up the burn area.  We were ready to cross a lot of downed trees on the way up the burn area as reported in a recent trip report.  Turns out many of the trees have been cut out of the trail since the August trip report I had read.  We crossed maybe a dozen downed trees the entire trip.  11:15am we reached Caroline Lake.  We headed up toward Windy Pass.  We came across water around 6500’ on the trail up.  We reached Windy Pass and started looking for a suitable camp spot arriving at 2:00pm (7250’).  We decided to go for the summit since we had the time and the weather was looking good.  We followed the trail along the ridge through some boulders and up to the base of the South Ridge of Cashmere.  DanO decided that was good enough for him and would wait for me to summit and come back.  I climbed the South Ridge of Cashmere.  The rock was pretty nice quality Class 3-4 with some exposure, much better than dealing with the loose rock below in the gullies.  I summited at 4:30pm,  great views of the surrounding peaks of the area.  We made it back to camp on the ridge at 6:30pm and enjoyed the beautiful evening. 

Sunday:  We left camp at 8:00am and made it back to the trailhead at 12:15pm. 

This is a nice climb with an easy uphill approach on good quality trail with some fun rock on the ridge to the summit. 

 

Some Tips and Notes:

1.       There are a couple water sources on the way up the burn area.

2.       There are some downed trees along the burn area, but not that bad and fairly easy to pass. 

3.       Last running water access was around 6500’ on the way up to Windy Pass.

4.       There is no snow to cross on route. 

5.       There is not much in the way of route finding until you are at the base of the South Ridge of Cashmere, just follow the trail up the ridge.

6.       The South Ridge of the summit has good quality rock, Class 3-4 with some exposure. 

7.       There are several bivy/camp options along the ridge above Windy Pass, bring enough water the ridge is dry. 

 

Travel Time for reference:

Saturday:  Trailhead to Windy Pass Ridge Camp to Summit & back to camp – 11.5 hours. 

Sunday:  Camp to trailhead – 4.25 hours

Total Mileage:  about 19 miles

Total Elevation Gain: around 5400’

 

Gear used:   Trekking Pole, Helmet.

 

Up the Ridge from Windy Pass.

Rocky Spires along the Ridge.

Crossing the boulder field.

At the base of the South Ridge of Cashmere.

South Ridge of Cashmere.

View into the Enchantments area.

Gear Notes:
 Trekking Pole, Helmet.

Approach Notes:
Eightmile Lake Trail to Windy Pass to South Ridge of Cashmere

[JasonG]

Excellent!  I really should go back there as it looks beautiful and I haven't been on Cashmere since around 1995.  I've forgotten pretty much all of it!  Thanks for the great pictures....