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Sourdough/Pierce Mountain Trail
The climb up Sourdough Mountain is one of the most challenging and rewarding day hikes in North Cascades National Park.
Plan Around Sourdough/Pierce Mountain Trail
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Sourdough/Pierce Mountain Trail Details
The climb up Sourdough Mountain is one of the most challenging and rewarding day hikes in North Cascades National Park. Sourdough Mountain is not only famous for its tough trails and lovely views, however. A nationally recognized historic landmark, Sourdough Lookout, has sat at the summit since 1917, and was the park’s first “lookout” point. The Pierce Mountain approach to the summit is the least grueling, but should not be underestimated; the trail begins climbing almost immediately, and never really stops until it reaches the ledges and historic lookout perched on the exposed summit. Your efforts are constantly rewarded, however, as the trail crosses through tall hemlock forests, wild subalpine meadows, and the charred trunks of an old fire zone and opens up to better and better views. The backcountry campsite lies just beyond the burn area. As you begin the final stretch of trail, blazes disappear and rock cairns take their place. The views from the summit are breathtaking. It’s blue lakes, snowy glaciers, jagged peaks, and lush valleys as far as the eye can see, in all directions. The hike starts at the Ross Dam Trailhead on State Route 20, at milepost 134.
Difficulty
High
Distance
19.8 miles
Estimated time
8 hours
Region
N/A
Nearby Parks Around Sourdough/Pierce Mountain Trail
Compare nearby parks around Sourdough/Pierce Mountain Trail when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Sourdough/Pierce Mountain Trail
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Sourdough/Pierce Mountain Trail while the map context is still fresh.
0.2 mi away
Stetattle Creek Trail
This seldom-used trail is perfect for hikers wanting an adventurous, challenging day hike.
0.3 mi away
Gorge Lake Campground
Gorge Lake Campground has six free first-come, first-served primitive tent sites.
0.4 mi away
Gorge Lake
Gorge Lake is the southernmost of three dam-controlled lakes on the Skagit River that were developed by the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project.
0.5 mi away
Pyramid Lake Trail
The Pyramid Lake Trail is a short day hike that nicely showcases the diverse forest and lake ecosystems found in North Cascades' lower elevations.
0.6 mi away
Diablo Dam
Diablo Dam is one of the dams created by the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project, and was once the tallest dam in the world.
