Helena Peak
A moderately easy scramble of a red peak with 1,000 feet of prominence off of the Mountain Loop Highway. It is remote but offers great views on a sunny, summer day, and mines can be found along the way.
getting there
Drive the Mountain Loop Highway to the town of Silverton. Approximately 1 mile beyond turn left onto Deer Creek road. Follow Deer Creek road for roughly 4 miles to the Kelcema Lake parking area and Deer Creek Trailhead.
approach & ascent
Hike the Deer Creek Trail, east of the Kelcema Lake parking area, ~0.5 mi to the high point of the trail. Ascend the broad ridge northeast for ~1 mile to the beginning of the south ridge of Helena Peak. Keep right of the high point and follow the south ridge a very short distance to a notch. Descend and traverse under cliffs until you are east of Helena Peak. At a major gully, stay high and climb out of gully before its end. Continue upward onto rock, passing right of false summit, a bump on the ridge. As you near the summit ascend a dirty, loose gully a short way, and then climb out to right onto solid rock. Ascend directly to the small and rocky summit (5,401 ft).
- Suitable Activities: Scrambling
- Seasons: April, May, June, July, August, September, October
- Weather: View weather forecast
- Difficulty: Strenuous 3, Technical 4
- Length: 7.0 mi
- Elevation Gain: 2,300 ft
- 5,401 ft
-
Land Manager:
Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Darrington Ranger District (MBSNF)
- Parking Permit Required: Northwest Forest Pass
- Recommended Party Size: 12
- Maximum Party Size: 12
- Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12
- Green Trails Mountain Loop Highway No. 111SX
- Green Trails Silverton No. 110
- USGS Silverton
- USGS Helena Ridge
