[Fletcher]

Dustin and I day hiked Deception in optimal conditions yesterday. Its a peak I have wanted for a long time. We got a late start and weren't hiking until 8:15. We cruised up the trail and made great time to the meadows below Royal Lake where we switched from trail runners to boots and gaiters.

first views of the Needles

Lower Royal Meadows

Snow was pretty much continuous from about 4800 feet and up. We lost the trail and followed Royal Creek up toward Upper Royal Basin.

first view of Deception

getting closer

As we neared our objective, I was giddy with excitement. The direct route straight up the NE face looked incredibly steep with numerous runnels so we opted to kick steps up to the Deception/Martin Col. We swapped leads, but I must admit that Dustin kicked many more steps than I did.

Mount Deception 5-18-16

Mount Deception 5-18-16

Mount Deception 5-18-16

Mount Deception 5-18-16

Seems like it took us maybe an hour and we found ourselves on the ridge. The scrambling to where you can drop down to the Deception Glacier is loose but a lot of fun, just take care.

Mount Deception 5-18-16

eyes on the prize

Gilhooley Tower

descending to the glacier

Deception Glacier

We made our way up the glacier and traversed around Gilhooley Tower to regain the north ridge. Just a short ways to the summit from here, we summited at 1:47, 5:33 after leaving the car. The summit of Deception is spacious and the views of the Olympics are some of the best I have ever seen.

loose junk

scree to regain to ridge

summit is near

Dustin and Gilhooley

Dustin on the summit

summit flora

Warrior, Constance, Mystery, and The Brothers

Olympus and more

The Needles and Grey Wolf Ridge

Deception summitshot

We hung out on the summit for 40 minutes or so and then began our descent. We contemplated tagging Gilhooley Tower but the crux looked too gnarly to do in mountaineering boots.

Gilhooley again

I want to come back and bag some of the Needles

back to the ridge

Dustin and Martin

scrambling

steep descent ahead

The descent back to Royal Basin was easier than I feared it might be. Much of it we were able to plunge step, with only the steeper and more exposed sections did we face in.

downclimbing

plunging

Upper Royal Basin and Mount Fricaba

13 labels

looking back at our route

Deception, last look back

descending into Royal Creek

We made good time back down into the basin and found nice, dry break spot along upper Royal Creek to refill on water. We cruised the 7 miles out from there, and made it back to the car at about 6:45. Dustin brought some Grapefruit Sculpin IPAs that we left in the car, delicious!

Grapefruit Sculpins at the crash-wagon to finish the day!

~20 miles ~6450 in gain ~10:30 C2C

[Dustin Trails]

Great trip idea! I'm glad we did it as a spring climb.

Ascending steep snow to Martin/Deception saddle

Upper Royal Basin

Gilhooley Tower

Descending onto the glacier

Nearing the summit

Mystery and Little Mystery

Mount Constance

The Needles and Gray Wolf Ridge

Mount Baker, Petunia and North Petunia

Mount Mystery

Summit area looking SW

The Needles

Fletcher and The Needles

Front-pointing downhill

[Gimpilator]

Glad to see you guys got it. I can say from experience that the slope above upper Royal Basin is terrible without snow. That is what stymied me the first time. If all goes as planned, you'll have OCD after this summer, Olympus/Constance/Deception, the big 3.

[Matt]

Looks like great conditions for it. That's a long way to go for a day trip.

[puzzlr]

[meck]

Neat trip, and that was a fast time too!! Your pictures make that route look way better, more inviting, w/ snow than without. Thanks for posting the great pics.

[HumpnoocheeGirl]

Great journey! Love the summit flowers and the summit selfie😃 Ps: the drink sounds refreshing

[RodF]

Well done! Thanks for sharing the magnificent views!

[Geezer]

Congratulations on your successful climb, especially doing it in one day with all that snow. I was just up there two days ago and lost the trail just after leaving the lake and heading towards the ranger station. Too much snow for me. I have done that climb in Sept with no snow and it is hell, and takes me 3 days and two nights. I did ascend to the saddle and then stayed on the east side of the ridge until the main chute before ascending the top of the ridge on the west side. Does anyone know if this is an acceptable route or did I go where I should not have?

[Rinric]

Great photos - Thanks