Good route and very challenging depending on how much stuff you bring. Fred Becky recommends an ice axe, however there was no need for such in October conditions. The route up the NE shoulder of Whatcom Peak is very exposed, and feels more like class 4 since both hands are required. While the route looks difficult from far, it becomes more reasonable the closer you get. The ridgeline is also exposed but it’s overall very fun scrambling. PLEASE DO NOT follow this route over the Baker River at Imperfect Impasse. The Baker Rive should be crossed above the tallest waterfall. That seems to be the only safe route across the gash that the Baker River makes in the landscape without walking downriver a half mile through brush. Otherwise, this route is decent to follow either direction.
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We attempted this hike leaving just north of High Bridge at 5:50 am. We made it past the camp with full intentions of summiting.
This scramble is more technical than stated in most guide books. Orange arrows very obviously guide your way through both scree, which tumbles away under your feet, and along cliff sides with significant exposure. After about an hour of endeavoring, we turned around for safety reasons and due to the incoming storm. We did not reach the summit.
Although you gain over a mile of elevation during this hike, it is not steep and quite a nice and gentle walk. The views are fantastic and it was well worth it.
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This was a nice easy hike and short back pack in. Nice river spots and only one private camp site.
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Gorgeous pano views but difficult hike with snow and difficult road in.
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Super steep. Very rocky part way up. Slush for a trail above 5000. Cross several under-snow wide creeks. Heart weather and epic views. Plus rock climbing to get there. Not easy but damn the place is pretty
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I broke away from the group, leaving camp at 0630. I was on the trail before 7. I remembered running this trail with Ben Reimold about 5 years ago but wasn’t sure we’d made it all the way to 4 of July Pass. It turns out we had, but it was an excellent second time up. My body felt good on the trail throughout. I nearly rolled my ankles several times but caught myself. Great views of snow-covered peaks to the South. Primus, Austera, etc. I think didn’t think I’d make it to the pass with the limited time I had, but I pushed myself and made it home without making Hannah too anxious.
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The trail is completely reasonable for elevation gain both out & back. The lake is wonderful. Views from South Pass were limited by smoke.
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Def felt like a suffer fest but the summit was rewarding. Not much water source except for down low
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Super hard but amazingly rewarding. Gorgeous. Viewpoints the whole way up. Better as it gets higher.
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I read reviews that mentioned this is the best fall color hike in Washington State. After my own experience, I agree this is very true. The colorful views are stunning.
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One of the best hikes I have ever done. It shifts perfectly from forested, gradual earthen switchbacks to exposed, rocky and steep terrain at the top. Epic views literally every step you take, and the views are different on the way back vs the way up. Stunning!
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The trail to campsite is well maintained and easy to follow. Sulphide Glacier was open with crevasses which made the journey a little challenging and slow. At the pyramid, most people went up the gully on the left of the tongue of snow. Nice vault toilet at campsite with likely the best view of any wilderness toilet. Unfortunately the second day, smoke from nearby Sourdough fire moved in
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Very Smokey the day we did it. But we used N95 masks that helped a lot. Stunning area even in the smoke. Not too difficult
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This is a brutal day hike with aggressive gain on a non maintained hikers trail. Incredible views at the summit but one of the toughest day hikes you’ll ever do.
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Amazing views, especially when you get up to the lookout! Lots of flowers in bloom. Still lots of water sources along the way.
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Dry trail, boulders near glacier. Only one two foot crevasse to cross on the glacier. Lots of friendly wildlife.
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Beautiful loop all around. Pretty buggy but as to be expected. Views were incredible on our 3rd day and very glad to have done rainbow pass at sunrise! Gaia shows the campsites a bit off from where they actually are so don’t be worried if you pass them on the map, they’re about a half mile off.
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Beautiful hike
Gorgeous day beautiful hike up to base camp overnight storm moved in we had next to zero visibility on summit day tried anyway but even after daylight and using our phones for GPS it was very difficult to find our way to stay on track and we had to turn around at about 7800 feet are due to poor visibility and the fact that we knew we couldn’t summit
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Incredible workout with amazing views of the peaks. Road was snowed in so we hiked 3 miles to trailhead. Incredible workout in snowshoes.
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Boston Basin is incredibly beautiful.
The exposure climbing up the West Ridge is scary in a good way, although the repelling back down can be a bit frustrating. More down climbing that actual rappelling. We were there at the end of May. Really appreciated Gaia GPS helping to get us back to camp in the dark!
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stars
This is one of the best hikes around. You can stop at Cascade Pass but you are missing the best part of the entire hike. The higher you go the better the views get. There is a trail all the way to Sahale Glacier Camp. RT here is about 12 miles. For those with some mountaineering skills you can summit Sahale Peak. You should have and know how to use crampons and an ice axe to get to the base of the rock. It is class 3-5 depending on the route up you choose.
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