Washington peaks
Washington summits
First Ascent Awards
1504 of 3,815 peaks 39%
Top climbing months
July 17%
August 15%
June 13%
Washington mountains highlights
- Washington is the epicenter of mountaineering in the lower 48 US states with more technical and glacier ascents than anywhere else outside of Alaska.
- The rugged, volcanic Cascade Range runs north-south across the state with hundreds of major peaks including Mt. Rainier (Washington's highest peak and the only US 14er outside of Colorado, California, and Alaska), Mt. Adams, Mt. Baker, Mt. Shuksan, Glacier Peak, and Mt. St. Helens of 1980 eruption fame. The Pacific Crest Trail passes 500 miles along the length of the range across Washington on its way to the Canadian border
- The Olympic Mountains in the Olympic Peninsula of western Washington only rise up shy of 8,000 ft but look much higher because they lie only 12 to 22 miles from the Pacific Ocean. The western slope of the range is the wettest place in the US.
- Washington has 3 mountain-centric National Parks: Mount Rainier National Park, Olympic National Park, and North Cascades National Park. All 3 lie within a couple hours drive of the Seattle metro area.
- Get away from the crowds and head to the North Cascades, a particularly rugged and vertical part of the Cascades with a multitude of incredible peaks to climb.
- Over 4 million acres of mountainous wilderness areas protect vast trail networks leading to a lifetime of peaks to climb. An incredible place to explore.
Latest summits
"If using the ptarmigan route in winter Definitely follow the valley up to the left. Once you’re in the Boulder field not the ridge after weather station continue up to rejoin with the worm trail." — WanderingHutch • Jan 1, 2024
"One of the three guys plan on going to the summit with got sick so we did not end up leaving early enough to attempt to summit but we didn’t make it to about 7500 feet and found a path through the glacier" — WanderingHutch • Oct 15, 2023
"Day hike up via the Lake Angeles trailhead. Had a nice brisk swim in the lake before heading up to the Klahane ridge. Relax for a bit and enjoyed the views before heading back to Hurricane ridge, stopping at Sunset on the way. I waited for the bus down for a bit but opted to hitch hike back to my truck at the Lake Angeles trailhead. Beautiful fall day." — MatthewWinterberg • Oct 7, 2023
"Day hike up via the Lake Angeles trailhead. Had a nice brisk swim in the lake before heading up to the Klahane ridge. Relax for a bit and enjoyed the views before heading back to Hurricane ridge, stopping at Sunset on the way. I waited for the bus down for a bit but opted to hitch hike back to my truck at the Lake Angeles trailhead. Beautiful fall day." — MatthewWinterberg • Oct 7, 2023
"Set out with the intention of climbing Echo and Observation Rocks, but decided I didn't want to do the loose rock on my own. Called an audible to check out Hessong Rock and then completed the loop." — TynanRammGranberg • Sep 15, 2023