Bryant & Hemlock Peaks

getting there

Take Exit 47 off of I-90 and turn onto Denny Creek Road (Forest Road 58). Just past Denny Creek Campground, about 3 miles from I-90, turn left onto Forest Road 5830 and continue to the trailhead (2,300 ft).

approach & Ascent

Bryant Peak (5,805 ft)

Follow the Denny Creek Trail (No. 1014) to Hemlock Pass. At the crest of Hemlock Pass turn right and follow the ridge line along a 33° bearing up to a meadow.  Continue into the woods for a very short stretch and arrive at the base of a steep slope.  To the left (towards Melakwa Lake) the wall is steep and technical.  Veer slightly right and behind some trees is a slight notch full of brush, rocks, and moss. Ascend about 170 feet and then northeast to a meadow at the base of a talus field that covers three-quarters of the base of Bryant Peak.  The meadow has a spring that can be used for water refills.

Continue up by staying well left of the talus field,  following the thread of a trail through loose rock.  Then traverse the south side of the west shoulder of the mountain, which forms a ridge running left to right.  Take extra care to prevent dislodging loose rock! Scramble rock on the left to the summit. There is some exposure, but there are relatively good holds.  An alternate route is about 50 ft to the right, which is a little more direct. It's 9 miles round trip with 3,600 feet of elevation gain.

Hemlock Peak (5,560 ft)

When scrambled with Bryant Peak, it's 9.5 miles round trip with 3,900 feet of elevation gain.

NOTES

• There is some exposure and potential rockfall. Helmets are recommended.
• An alternate approach is from the Snow Lake Trail and Source Lake Basin.

FOr leaders

Permit information

As of 2017, the Snoqualmie Ranger District considers Mountaineers trips and courses to be "nominal use". Leaders should print and copy this designation letter to show rangers they may see on trail or carry a digital copy on their phone.

Conservation Note

Senator Murray and Congressman Reichert introduced legislation (S. 322 and H.R. 608, respectively) during the 112th Congress to add more than 22,000 acres to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area and designate the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River and Pratt River as Wild and Scenic rivers.  During the 111th Congress, identical bills passed the House but were not adopted by the Senate before the end of the legislative session.

As of December 2011, S. 322 and H.R. 608 are being considered in the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the House Committee on Natural Resources, respectively.  The approach to Bryant Peak is in the current Alpine Lakes Wilderness area but the peak itself is not.  The proposed wilderness addition would protect the scramble route from approximately 5,400 ft to the summit.  The summit and entire west aspect of Bryant Peak is in the proposed wilderness addition.

• Suitable Activities: Scrambling
• Seasons: Year-round
• Weather: View weather forecast
• View avalanche forecast.

• Difficulty: Strenuous 3, Technical 4, Winter Scramble
• Length: 9.5 mi
• Elevation Gain: 3,900 ft
• High Point: 5,801 ft

• Land Manager: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
  Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Snoqualmie Ranger District (MBSNF)
• Parking Permit Required: Northwest Forest Pass
• Recommended Party Size: 12
• Maximum Party Size: 12
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12