Castle Rock, OC Course 5-16-09

Course Goal: Snow hike with rock climbing

Distance: 6 miles round trip

Trailhead: 4600 feet

Highpoint: 6460 feet
Elevation Gain: 1860 feet

Pass: National Park Pass or Seasonal Pass. Driving directions at bottom of post.
As always, click on the pictures for original size.

The set of photos for this hike are located here


Navigating southeasterly from Olympic College, the class set its coordinates to climb The Castle which is located within Rainier National Park. Meeting at Narada Falls, we gathered our gear and followed Stevens Canyon Rd till Reflection Lakes and then turned south onto the snow.

Westerly vista MMMMMMMM The Castle on the left MMMM Part of the class

Within about two miles of hiking on good firm snow, we took a break near the base of our destination. Mt Rainier was our inspiring background to the north. We could just barely see other climbers making their way up the main trail to Camp Muir. Break over, we began our last push of elevation as we followed the treeline up to the saddle.

Beautiful break spot MMMMMM Class in tow


Reaching the saddle we were rewarded with panoramic views of Rainier, Mount Adams, Mount Saint Helens, and even Mount Hood in Oregon and the Olympics to the west. Truly some magnificent landscapes lay before us. After the saddle, our trip leader, John, had us circumvent a steep slope to bring us to the base of The Castle where we unpacked our gear and began laying out equipment for some rock climbing.

Unicorn Peak & glacier MMM Coming up from the saddle MM Trip leader John

The rock climbing portion of the hike is captured in the video below. All the students scaled about a fifty foot section and then self rappelled down. A great time was enjoyed by all. Our return to Stevens Canyon Rd seemed more difficult in the afternoon, as the sun had warmed the snow enough that traversing it was like walking through mashed potatoes. Not the most leisurely snow stroll. But this was offset by an impromptu glissade down to our parking lot that saved us about a half mile trek. My GPS erroneously clocked the glissade at 217 mph. LOL

Tope Route MMMMMMMMM Route Profile


Video:


Directions
Drive Washington highway 706 east towards Mount Rainier National Park and go through the town of Ashford. About 3 miles east of Ashford you will arrive at the Nisqually entrance station. Remaining on the same road, 706, continue about 12 miles to Narada Falls. Voila, you have arrived at your destination.