Washington peaks
Washington summits
First Ascent Awards
1507 of 3,815 peaks 39%
Top climbing months
July 17%
August 15%
June 14%
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
"Another week, another hike up Mailbox with AK. This time, however, with a quick peak at Dirtybox. Really enjoyed the scrambling after the leg work. Cloudy and in the high 40's, parking lot was insanely overflowed" — zachmitch • Jun 1, 2024
"Another week, another hike up Mailbox with AK. This time, however, with a quick peak at Dirtybox. Really enjoyed the scrambling after the leg work. Cloudy and in the high 40's, parking lot was insanely overflowed" — zachmitch • Jun 1, 2024
"Snow to 1/2 mile of TH but don’t try to go farther or you’ll be digging out your car like we did. Park within 1 mile of TH but not at the current end as there’s no room there. Great corn snow at noon in full sun with freezing level at 11k. The summit push isn’t frozen either. SW chutes are IN and the most amazing ski run in Washington at 5000’ of drop at 40 degrees.
" — castrode • May 31, 2024
"JC and I, our first hike together since 2020. At the trailhead at 6:45am. Cool and cloudy, high 40s. Enjoyed a quiet trail up the old on Memorial Day weekend Monday. Hike down was much more crowded. Glad we showed up early!" — zachmitch • May 27, 2024
"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