[DaveBnd]

Every year, my wife and I like to do a peak for our anniversary in Aug/Sept. In the past we've done fun adventurous 5th class stuff in the Rockies, but after an almost-life-altering climbing accident in 2016 we've been keeping it a bit more mellow. Regardless, we still want an adventure, great scenery, and are hoping for some suggestions. Priorities (in order) 1. North Cascades with awesome views 2. 3-4 day trip (20-30 miles rt) with limited/no schwacking or exposure, no roped glacier travel, and a summit that is class 2 or easier. 3. Not a crowded sh##-show 4. Accessible from east side, since we'll be driving from Boise (perhaps negotiable) Glacier Peak was my first thought, but east side access seems to necessitate glacier travel (???) and the 10h one way drive through SEA to Darrington for west side access sounds like a sad trombone to me. I know that's a lot of parameters, but I'm hoping that you kind folk may be able to point me in a good direction or offer some suggestions. Many thanks in advance!

[Just_Some_Hiker]

[MangyMarmot]

How about the Pasayten? Remmel and Amphitheater. Cathedral is also there. It's easy scrambling except for one jump. The jump is near the summit, so if you decide not to do it, you still get great views. Cathedral Lake is a really nice camp. Not sure if the Diamond Creek fire got that far. You may want to call the ranger station to see if it burned. Lots of scramble peaks around Twisp River Road also.

[Just_Some_Hiker]

[Matt]

You want the Pasayten or Twisp River areas. Lots of class 2/3 peaks out there, and few crowds.

[jared_j]

This doesn’t culminate in a summit, but Copper Ridge is a popular one that could fit your needs. I think the Leroy basin suggestion is a good one. I think mt Maude may be a bit much for OP with how the snow usually is on the regular route (crampons and axe are use by most parties in summer from the time I was up there), but seven finger jack is indeed a mellow scramble and the views are pretty dang good. A bonus of the chiwawa / Leroy basin area idea is that it is close to Leavenworth. OP could try their hand at a walk-up enchantments permit, and if he strikes out it isn’t too far a drive away.

[Secret Agent Man]

I doubt ice ax and crampons would be necessary for Maude in the Aug/September window that OP outlines. There will be snow patches but by the end of August it shouldn't be too tough to avoid them and stay on dirt or talus. I agree Maude/7FJ is a great suggestion. Going up Carne to start, hitting Maude, camping at Ice Lakes or Leroy Basin, hitting 7FJ and taking Phelps Creek out makes it a good loop. It does sound like OP could be coming from out of town and renting a car, if so it's a rough road and they'll want something that can confidently make it.

[DIYSteve]

[DaveBnd]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. Looks like a lot of suggestions for the Twisp/Pasayten area, and Cathedral looks to nail all of the parameters I outlined. Mt Maude also looks awesome, and bit shorter of a drive, I like the prospect of having glaciers (and Glacier Peak) being a larger component of the views too. I think including it as part of the Leroy Creek high route may be a winner. I'll also add that we'll actually be driving from Boise and will have high clearance and 4x4 so road quality isn't too much of a concern. On another note, and for future reference:

[DIYSteve]

[woodchips]

Cathedral is one of my favorite trips ever (the hike in, the camps below, and the peak.) However, it’s definitely not class 2 - my recollection is third class with one 4th class jump right before the summit. While we didnt climb any of the other peaks in the area, i believe theres some class 2 stuff close by.

[Brushbuffalo]

[Hiking_Husky]

Lots of great suggestions here! Have done a few in some of the aforementioned locations (Star/Courtney/Oval, Pasayten, Entiats, etc.), and all worth your while. One I may add for the Pasayten would be anything from Hart's Pass. I looped the Middle Fork Pasayten trail with Buckskin Ridge (with a side trip up Shellrock Pass trail to get Osceola, Carru, and Lago), and was quite impressed. I will add, if you want to explore the Glacier Peak Wilderness without glacier travel, Pilot Ridge loop with the PCT is excellent, plus plenty of opportunity for some peakbagging (Johnson, Kodak, White, Indian Head, and Portal come to mind). Excellent views of Glacier, Sloan, and many others along the way. Another I loved was Lake Byrne via Lost Creek Ridge. One of the most beautiful backcountry lakes I have visited, not many folks, and one of the best views of Glacier I have seen. I just did an out and back, but you could probably get creative with a loop if you study some maps and are willing to 'shwack a bit (some of the trails around there are abandoned). Anyhow, happy picking, and happy hiking!

Pilot Ridge

Pilot Ridge

Lake Byrne

Lake Byrne

[olderthanIusedtobe]

Excellent suggestions Hiking Husky. The entire Glacier Peak Wilderness is fantastic. If the logs spanning the river are still in place like they were a couple years ago, you can make a great loop out of Lost Creek Ridge/Lake Byrne. I would never ever suggest fording the White Chuck, but if you can cross on logs right by the confluence w/ Kennedy Creek, you can sniff out a connector trail that fairly quickly leads you to the PCT. From there you can go south and either come out on NF Sauk or extend it a little further and take in Blue Lake and Pilot Ridge. This loop would include about 4 miles of road walking between the trailheads.

[Hiking_Husky]