Near Fay Peak Scramble
Carter Creek Crossing
Near Fay Peak Scramble
Mowich Lake Wilderness Patrol Cabin
Near Fay Peak Scramble
Commanding Views of Rainier and everything on this side of the park
Near Fay Peak Scramble
Views back towards Mowich and Eunice lakes

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Hike Route

Fay Peak Scramble

5.0 (2 Ratings)
Really fun off-trail scramble up Fay Peak--gives great views of Mt. Rainier.
3
mi
Distance
1,614
ft
Gain
strenuous
Difficulty
Fall ColorsLakeViewsWildflowersWildlife
Access Issues
This rxh includes sections of off-trail travel. Please ensure you are equipped and well prepared before venturing beyond official and mapped terrain. These areas may or may not be regularly patrolled and access to help may be limited.

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
2.97mi
Distance
1,614ft
Elevation Gain
1,614ft
Elevation Loss
45%
Max Grade
6,503ft
High Point
4,933ft
Low Point
Path Type
Loop
Description
Starts from the Mowich Lake parking lot. The start of the route is probably the hardest part! There isn't any great markings, so I just started down the lakeshore on the east side until I saw anything like a game/climbers trail. You aren't going far, so once you find something workable head east until the trees clear up, and you'll know exactly where you are going when you see the summit. From the west, it looks intimidating, the western buttress is too steep to hike. However angle to the southwest ridge and ascend from there. The map shows a spring route when snow covers the huge meadow. The actual climbers trail starts at the switchback just west of the mapped junction, and climbs 100-200 yards west of the mapped track. Thee climber's trail is properly plotted up on the ridge.Scramble northeast along the ridge. There are many easy, Class 2 moves, with perhaps 50 feet of Class 3 scrambling to gain the summit. Enjoy the amazing views, and then either, A) continue off trail east and link up with the Echo Rock/Obervation Rock scramble route for a tough but rewarding day, or, B) descend down the easier scree slopes to the northeast, and return to your original approach trail.

Route Conditions

Report Conditions
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Contributors
Nate D