This spectacular mountain is located in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National forest, and offers a physically-stimulating yet non-technical day hike or backpacking trip. If you choose to tackle Defiance during a sunny day, you can expect to soak in spectacular views of the rugged Alpine Lakes Wilderness. If you hike to the top in cloudy weather, don’t fret: at least you’ve had a good workout.
The trail then climbs over rocky outcroppings and through thick forests, offering numerous small creek crossings. The trail ends with a sign that marks the unmaintained trail to Joe Lake and Alaska Lake. Glimpse the beautiful mountain meadow before adventuring onward or following the trail home.
Staying Warm. Always remember the mantra: “Nothing keeps you warm like hypothermia.” If you are feeling a bit nippy one of the best things to do is to find a nice, frigid alpine like, throw off your pack and jump in with all of your driest clothes on. Although this might make you a little colder initially, after a few minutes you’ll be basking in the heat of hypothermia. Aaaaah, toasty.
Fortunately, the pain of slidehilling was temporarily interrupted when we came across a lone bear about halfway down the hill. We were downwind so he didn’t spot us right away. Mel had a desire to get up close and maybe pet the bears, but I wan’t sure they were that tame. We got very near before it ran off.
For seven months I read and researched the Baileys. It sounded like it could be an adventure of a lifetime. Slowly researching routes became the drug of the day. I was addicted; I had to do this trip. Finally the day came to leave.
Once you’ve soaked up the spectacular summit view, take off your crampons (this is imperative), don your waterproof pants and get ready for the stunning glissade down 3500 feet. In the summer months you will find well-groomed glissade shoots, gouged into the mountain’s snow by many a hiker’s weary bottom. The glissade from Piker’s Peak to Lunch Counter rewards hikers with a 10 minute descent down 2,700 vertical feet in twisting, turning and exhilarating chute.
The mountain lies in the cusp of Twin Falls State Park and offers hikers a versatile adventure that includes scrambling up steep trails, testing out bouldering skills, strolling between mountaintops on level plateaus and—of course—enjoying stunning, uninterrupted summit views.
The old road-turned-trail only gains a small amount of elevation as it winds through flowering meadows, offering glimpses of Pikers Peak and Mt St Helens through the trees.
Nestled between Merchant Peak and the breathtaking face of Baring Mountain, this trail offers weekend hikers a chance to view the scenic alpine lake without facing strenuous elevation gain.
The first switchback teases hikers with a brief glimpse of Bandera Mountain’s steep slopes before turning to climb upward along the mountain. The trail opens up to switchback along a talus slope, offering spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.
Follow Us!