Looking for suggestions on west coast peaks

[MechAeroE]

This January I'll be heading out to the west coast with my brother. We will be traveling from the Death Valley area all the way up to Seattle. Along the way we are looking to summit at least one major peak and have some day hikes up other mountains.

So far Mount Whitney, Mount Shasta, and The Brothers (in the Olympic National Park) have been considered. I had a similar vacation last year and attempted Whitney but decided to turn around soon after I began to slug through waist-high snow from a recent storm above Lower Boy Scout Lake.

We are looking for a hike which won't require any rope (just crampons and ice axes). Also, since I bought a 4-season tent off Craigslist last year we were looking to make it a two day hike.

Any suggestions would appreciated

Thanks

[freighttrain]

My vote is whitney, check out this trip report


http://http://home.earthlink.net/~el...tney-2002.html

[BlueDog]

I believe you need a permit just for Mt Whitney.

[Bill O]

Mount Shasta?

A very nice looking, 14,000 foot volcano in CA.

[smithtim]

Whitney is a classic day climb in summer, but in winter it could be really tough to do. The portal road gets closed way below the trailhead, and this adds several miles to the climb ( from what I hear people just drive right by the road closed sign though, not sure??)
BTW what BlueDog said is correct, but that is only to enter the mt. whiteny zone (basically above 12000') AND they only limit permits numbers May - Nov! so you'll be fine on that front & won't need to enter the mt whiteny lottery; pretty sure you'll still need a permit but you maybe able to self issue from their center on US395 & SR 136

Shasta & Rainer are also great mountains worthy of a visit! Mt. Shasta is maybe doable in a day if you ski down Avalanche Gulch (which is one of the best ski runs in the world!!!!!!!!!!) I think that in winter one day maybe pushing it, but you probably could at least make it to the sub peak shatamasta point. Also, access to bunny flats trailhead will again depend on road conditions. Anyways, if you do go here is a great place to rent skis or whatever gear http://www.thefifthseason.com/ and somewhere on that page they have a great number to call for a 2-3 minute daily forecast of the mountain conditions: snow levels, avalanche, climbing etc, etc, which is a good resource to monitor a few weeks out

Also Crater lake is a great place to visit; there is a actually one peak you can get to in winter ( as 99% of the rim road closes). It is called Garfield peak: basically from the visitor center turn east and follow around the rim upto the first peak. Not a very long climb, maybe couple of miles & 1000' if that, but just stunning views I mean unbelievable views
Here is the write up http://www.summitpost.org/garfield-p...te-peak/157098


And of course it is just never ending in the north cascades

Enjoy your trip the pacific NW is just BEAUTIFUL

BTW: in Seattle Brooklyn Steak house... high priced of course because it is in downtown but totally worth it the steaks are great ( the oyster & beer paring appetizer is pretty unique and I look forward to it each time I'm in town)

[smithtim]

My vote is whitney, check out this trip report


http://http://home.earthlink.net/~el...tney-2002.html

yeah I gotta second that as I think Whitney is one of the most stunning peaks around USA ( maybee a three way tie with Grand Teton or Shuksan ) but as I said above acess may be a problem...anyways a great mountain & I know I'm looking forward o being out there in May when me and the wife are going to give it a shot

Anyways, as trip reports are being thrown out here are a bunch, mostly pacific NW

http://cascadeclimbers.com/forum/ubb...bb/tripreports