Gilbert Peak/Conrad Glacier

getting there

Drive US-12 to Forest Road 1200, signed Tieton Road, just past Rimrock Lake east of White Pass. There is also be a sign for Rimrock Recreation Area. Tieton Road is paved and winds around Rimrock Lake before heading up the valley. Turn right onto Forest Road 1000. Follow it to its end and the South Fork Tieton (No. 1120) Trailhead (4,100 ft).

Approach

From the parking lot walk the road 0.25 mile to a gate and follow the sign for South Fork Tieton Trail. The trail immediately crosses the river and then wanders through some meadows which are on the Herkes private property. At a junction, at Mile 4.5, turn onto the right (north) fork of the loop trail and continue another 2 miles. At ~5,100 ft, turn right and ascend excellent but unmarked pack trail. Follow the trail easily for 3 miles up to the ridge top, west along the ridge crest, north through benchlands (across the east slope of Point 7527), and then west to a waterfall of Conrad Creek at 6,000 ft. Either ascend talus left of waterfall and brush, for a short approach to upper benches, or continue 0.25 mile past the creek and ascend the open hillside to the upper benches. Good camps are in the lower and upper benches on both sides of Conrad Creek.

Ascent Route

Hike around Barren Lake (6,416 ft) to Conrad Glacier. Ascend the glacier south to the low pass at 7,200 ft. Alternatively, as shown in Cascade Alpine Guide, Vol. 1, ascend SSW and up snow finger between cliff bands—the snow finger is steep and may be broken up. From the pass at 7,200 ft, traverse WSW across Meade Glacier and gain the south ridge of Gilbert Peak. Scramble up the west side of ridge to summit.

Descent Route

Descend the climbing route, an alternate route via the Meade Glacier, or Klickton Divide back to Conrad Meadows.

• Suitable Activities: Climbing
• Climbing Category: Basic Alpine
• Seasons: April, May, June, July, August, September, October
• Weather: View weather forecast

• Difficulty: Basic Alpine Climb
• Length: 22.0 mi
• Elevation Gain: 4,301 ft
• High Point: 8,201 ft

• Land Manager: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forests
  Goat Rocks Wilderness, Naches Ranger District (OWNF)
• Parking Permit Required: Northwest Forest Pass
• Recommended Party Size: 12
• Maximum Party Size: 12
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12