14. Boundary Peak, 6760' (S)

Boundary Peak can be approached from the north or south. The north approach goes by Unicorn, and thus both can be climbed in one outing. The south approach is longer, with more elevation gain. The Boundary Peak name comes from the mountain’s location on the southern boundary of the park.

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Driving

There are two routes to Boundary Peak.

North approach: From the Nisqually Entrance, drive one mile beyond Narada Falls and turn right onto Stevens Canyon Road. Continue another 2 miles and park at the Snow Lake parking lot on the north side of the road.

South approach: Drive toward the Nisqually Entrance and approximately 3.5 miles past Ashford, turn right on Skate Creek Road (FS 52). Travel about 19 miles and turn left on FS 5270, reaching the trailhead in about 7 miles.

Route

North approach: Enter at the Snow Lake trailhead (elevation 4545'). Travel past Snow Lake. At the upper basin of Snow Lake (a tarn is present in summer), at 4715', head up a gully with a bearing of 231 degrees. In the upper gully at 5215', change bearing to 201. Head to the upper basin, and at 5720' change bearing to 150. At the saddle west of Unicorn, at 6605', change bearing to 73; and at 6880', change to 155. You should now be on the shoulder of Unicorn. Follow this ridge to Boundary Peak at 6760'.

South approach: Start on Trail 161 at 2925'. In o.4 mile, begin a series of switchbacks, ending at 3990'. At 5420', come to a junction with an abandoned trail—go left. Descend 200' to 5230'. Once you attain the ridge (at approximately 5700'), southeast of Boundary, continue on this ridge at a general bearing of 335 degrees until the summit. There are a few ups and downs along the ridge. See additional bearings in route table.

Comments

There may be steep, hard snow in the gully from Snow Lake, on the north approach. Be prepared with crampons and ice ax.

Vital Statistics: Boundary Peak

• Skill: Moderate scramble

• Beauty: 8

• Effort: 

  • North approach: 6

  • South approach: 8

• Round-trip distance

  • North approach: 5.3 miles

  • South approach: 10.1 miles

• Elevation gain

  • North approach: 3100'

  • South approach: 5200'

• Total time

  • North approach: 6 hours; add 2-3 hours if attempting Unicorn

  • South approach: 10 hours

• Best season: May through September or first snow

• Equipment: Scramble gear; climbing gear if attempting Unicorn

Boundary Peak Topo

(use CalTopo to print PDF topo, view Google Earth, download tracks, for trailhead weather) [How to ?]

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