Washington peaks

3,268 peaks

Highest peak

Mount Rainier

14,411 ft / 4,392 m

Most summited peak

Mount Rainier

239 summits

Most prominent peak

Mount Rainier

13,212 ft / 4,027 m prom

Washington summits

6,342 summits

First Ascent Awards

1191 of 3,268 peaks 36%

Top climbing months

July 18%

August 14%

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.
"First of all, we used the following directions to get to the trail head, since the AllTrails directions were way off. There are two places you can access this trail. For both, take exit 47 off I-90, go south for a few hundred meters, and take a right on the logging road. Follow this for about a mile and take a left at the fork (5510). Go another mile to the second hairpin curve. You can park here by the boulders and hike north .6 mile on an old logging road until you come to an unmarked trail on the right after the bend in the road. The trail is very steep for the first 30-40 feet, goes up over some big roots, and then the trail continues like a normal though steep trail for 1.5 miles to the summit. The other option is to continue driving on 5510 for another half mile or so past the first access point until you come to another turn out on the left. THere's a yellow gate here. Park and hike on the old logging road going north for .9 mile where the trail crosses and goes up to the right. I definitely recommend microspikes or crampons given the steep trail which is icy and slippery at various points. The views from the top were amazing today with clear views of all of the p..." — joeerickson • Jan 29, 2019
"Hex mountain is near Roslyn, WA overlooking Lake Cle Elum. It is a fantastic snow shoe hike on a clear day with expansive views of Mount Rainier, the Enchantments and Lake Cle Elum. The ascent to the summit of Hex Mountain is gradual which makes for a nice descent that is easy on the knees." — joeerickson • Jan 25, 2019
"Hiked to Teneriffe / Kamikaze Falls and then to the summit via the Kamikaze trail. This trail starts off with a gradual incline and then transitions to switchbacks to the Falls. The switchbacks then transition to what is essentially straight up the ridge to the summit. We encountered ice and snow during the last part of the hike up to the summit. We put on our micro spikes and we were able to hike with pretty good traction. It would be difficult to make it to the summit without microspikes or cramptons. It was very cold with a strong wind on the summit so we snapped a few pictures and started our descent after a few minutes on the summit. Coming down requires some careful foot work given the steepness of the trail. The trail is well all the way to the summit with either hatchet marks on trees along the way or well established footprints in the snow. Overall, a great hike and excellent workout. " — joeerickson • Jan 19, 2019
"Decided to try Dirty Harry's Peak with the Mountain Goats. Everyone turned back at the creek (2.8 miles in) - boys broke trail in fresh snow to the summit. Cold and snowing a bit at the top. Lots of trees so not much of a view, but a great winter hike/snowshoe. Lower trail snow free and very nicely maintained and marked (new, I guess?) Lots of side trails for climbing walls marked as well. Nice close alternative to Si, Washington, etc. for a quick one near Seattle" — BryHong8 • Dec 27, 2018
"Hit the trail head at 0640, started up in the rain. Hit the trail intersection towards Bandera peak but the trail was completely snowed in and I wasn't outfitted to bust trail through the 2 foot snow since I was just out for a trail run. Decided top cut my loss and headed back top the trail head. Will head back up I m the spring. " — CraigArnold2 • Dec 20, 2018

Popular Washington mountains