16. Buell Peak, 5756' (S)

Buell Peak is southeast of Barrier Peak. The route to Buell Peak is 75 percent trail, 25 percent off-trail scrambling. The scrambling is easy, but you need good compass and routefinding skills. The short way to Buell is from the Deer Creek trailhead off SR 123; the longer way is via the trail to Owyhigh Lakes. The driving directions here describe access via the Deer Creek trailhead. The peak is named for John Latimore Buell, who arrived in Orting, Washington, in 1890 and ran a hardware business.

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Driving

Drive SR 410 south to Cayuse Pass and continue south on SR 123. About 5 miles past Cayuse Pass, come to the Deer Creek trailhead (elevation 3230'). Park entrance fee not required.

Route

Look for Deer Creek trailhead on the west side of the road. Follow the trail 0.3 mile to a junction with the Eastside Trail (elevation 2930'). At the junction go north (right), and in a short distance come to a junction with the Owyhigh Lakes Trail. Go left on the Owyhigh Lakes Trail. At the end of switchbacks (approximately 4700'), leave the trail with a bearing of 42 degrees. Upon reaching the saddle between Buell and Barrier, turn east to reach Buell Peak. Many elk tracks are present.

Comments

The ridge between Barrier and Buell is doable. There are good elk tracks for much of the way. Thus it is possible to do a two-fer combining Buell and Barrier. Barrier is a moderate scramble and more challenging than Buell. If climbing Buell and then Barrier and returning to the saddle between the two, resist the temptation to drop off the Barrier-Buell ridge early to intercept the Deer Creek trail further west as it cliffs out. Go back to the saddle and return the way you came up. (Thanks to Henry Romer for helpful suggestions.)

Vital Statistics: Buell Peak

• Skill: Easy scramble

• Beauty: 3

• Effort: 3

• Round-trip distance: 8 miles (6 miles on-trail, 2 miles off-trail)

• Elevation gain: 3200'

• Total time: 7 hours

• Best season: July through October

• Equipment: Scramble gear