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Tokaloo Rock is one of our favorite scrambles but it requires a bike ride along the Westside Road, and even then it is a long day. The route passes by Andrew, which is an easy short scramble. The origin of Tokaloo Rock’s name is uncertain.
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Driving
From the Nisqually Entrance, drive 1 mile and turn left on the Westside Road. Drive 3.2 miles until you reach the parking area at the road closure. The road was closed at this spot owing to large rock fall just beyond. A sign urges you to proceed quickly through the rock fall area.
Route
Travel by bike on the decommissioned Westside Road for approximately 3.6 miles to Round Pass. Stow your bike and start on the Round Pass Trail (the trailhead sign is on the east side of the road approximately 100 yards south of the Marine Memorial sign). In 0.6 mile the Round Pass Trail meets the South Puyallup River Trail. Hike east on the South Puyallup River Trail for 1.6 miles until it intersects the Wonderland Trail at 4200’. Turn left (north) on the Wonderland Trail and immediately cross the South Puyallup River. Continue northward. At around 6000’ (before you begin to descend on the trail), leave the trail, heading east and then northeast on a gentle ridge. There is a footpath on the ridge and the path continues past Andrew. Staying to the south of Andrew (or staying on the path), continue northeasterly toward Tokaloo Spire. Always stay on the south side of the ridge and follow best terrain. Go beyond Tokaloo Spire and cross over the ridge to begin heading north on the west side of Tokaloo Rock. Depending on snow conditions you can cross the west side high (often there is an easy moat to go through) or straight across. Go beyond the peak and double back, approaching it from the north.
Comments
We recommend August or September as perfect months of Tokaloo. We also recommend an ice ax and traction devices. Snow is present on part of the route (and can be hard in the mornings) almost year round. And don’t forget the bug repellant. Andrew could easily be climbed on the way to Tokaloo Rock. The andesite columns, just before reaching the South Puyallup Camp, are awesome and remarkable – truly a geological gem. It would also be possible to bike the Westside Road to the South Puyallup River Trail (see
Aurora Peak) and climb Aurora, Andrew, and Tokaloo Rock all in a (very long!) day. A more relaxing way to climb these three peaks would be to obtain a back-country camping permit and camp overnight in the Andrew area.
Vital Statistics: Tokaloo Rock
Skill: Moderate scramble
Beauty: 10
Effort: 8
Round-trip distance: 11.2 miles on foot, 7.2 miles on bike
Elevation gain: 5000' (including 1300' on bike)
Total time: 12 hours; 12.5 hours with Andrew
Best season: July through September, or first snow
Equipment: Scramble gear
Tokaloo RockTopo
(use CalTopo to print PDF topo, view Google Earth, download tracks, for trailhead weather) [How to ?]
Tokaloo Rock Photos
Two photos showing the final approach and the ridge leading to Tokoloo Rock. The short arrows on the top photo denote the route goes behind the ridge. The short dashes on the bottom photo denote the route goes behind the ridge.
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