Old Snowy Mountain - Elk Pass — Sunday, Jul. 13, 2025

Old Snowy and Ives Peak traverse via Snowgrass TH / PCT

3 volcanoes on a clear day. Wildflowers. Bugs. Goat Lake 80% snow covered. Snow on PCT doable without microspikes.

Boot path up Old Snowy on stable rocks. Scramble after that, but I think you should see at least the Arch before turning back (by descending towards Snowgrass Flat directly to cut some time).

If you choose to proceed towards Ives...

Extremely loose screes compared to Black Peak (N Cascades) / Sacajawea (OR). The risk of natural rockfall was low. Just avoid traveling in someone's fall line and wear helmets.

Otherwise there are cliffs on the east side, and gendarmes at the center. The one at 46.50602° N, 121.45193° W is C4, I tried, gave up, and went around on screes instead.

At the bottom of Ives summit, a bit stemming to gain the southern upper slope, while other betas suggest using the ledge further south.

I descended towards Cispus and shifted towards Snowgrass at 46.49281° N, 121.44995° W, on rocky terrain (good ones) followed by alpine tarns, meadows before joining back on PCT.

Long day, 12h car to car, most out of 2.5L water. You could fill up before booting up Old Snowy from PCT. Very buggy unless there's wind.