Jolly Mountain

getting there

Jolly Mountain Trailhead

From Exit 84 off of I-90 take SR-903 west toward Cle Elum Lake. At the south end of the lake, it becomes Salmon La Sac Road. Follow it to the trailhead on the right near the Cayuse Horse Camp and picnic area.

Salmon La Sac Sno-Park

From Exit 84 off of I-90 take SR-903 west toward Cle Elum Lake. At the south end of the lake, it becomes Salmon La Sac Road. Follow it to the Salmon La Sac Sno-Park.

DeRoux Creek Trailhead

From SR-970 turn onto Teanaway River Road bearing right as it becomes North Fork Teanaway River Road. Just past 29 Pines Campground, it becomes a dirt road, Forest Road 9737. Continue 8.3 mi and then turn left and drive into the De Roux campground and trailhead (3,800 ft).

On the Trail

Jolly Mountain (6,440 ft)

12 miles round trip, 4,000 feet of elevation gain, 6,440 ft high point

Hike the Jolly Mountain Trail 6 miles to the summit of Jolly Mountain. This trip is best done July through August after the winter snows have melted.

Scramble Routes

Mount Skookum (6,394 ft) & Jolly Mountain (6,440 ft)

11.0 miles round trip, 3,400 feet of elevation gain, Difficulty: Strenuous 3, Technical 3

This is a snow scramble in spring done before the winter snows have melted. It can be approached from the east via Salmon La Sac or from the west via DeRoux Creek. Consider a one-way trip with a car shuttle between the trailheads.

From Salmon La Sac: From the end of Forest Road 4315  head east through a clearcut on Sasse Ridge. In a half mile reach the Jolly Mountain Trail (No. 1307). Follow it, reaching a junction with the West Fork Teanaway River Trail (No. 1353) in another half mile and a half mile past that, a junction with the Jolly Creek Trail (No. 1355). Alternatively, hike the Jolly Mountain Trail (No. 1307) from the Salmon La Sac Guard Station. From the saddle where the Jolly Mountain and Jolly Creek Trails meet, continue south on the Jolly Creek Trail to the summit of Jolly Mountain. From the Jolly Creek-Jolly Mountain saddle, follwo the Jolly Creek Trail northeast down the ridge.  When the trail turns east towards the basin, continue along the ridge keeping as high as possible to stay above major gully. You can see Mount Skookum in distance at times--it appears steep, rugged and rocky. Keep high but don't climb every high point.  Roughly two miles from  the saddle, head up steep grass and talus towards the summit of Mount Skookum. Near the summit, follow rocks for the safest route. There is some exposure on the false summit, then short descent and an easy ascent to true summit.  The highest rock is at the summit area. Descend right and around it to avoid the loose gravel on the left, then ascend the back of slab. Climb up one at-a-time and touch top. Note that most people do not bother with the highest point and are content to enjoy main summit area.

Jolly Mountain (6,440 ft)

10 miles round trip, 4,300 feet of elevation gain, winter scramble

From the Salmon La Sac Sno-Park snowshoe up Forest Road 4315 until it intersects the Sasse Mountain Trail at 5,000 ft. Follow Sasse Ridge northeast to the summit of Jolly Mountain (6,440 ft).

snowshoe route

8.0 miles round trip, 2,500 feet of elevation gain, Intermediate Snowshoe

From the Salmon La Sac Sno-Park snowshoe up Forest Road 4315 until it intersects the Sasse Mountain Trail at 5,000 ft.

• Suitable Activities: Day Hiking, Scrambling, Snowshoeing
• Snowshoeing Category: Intermediate
• Seasons: Year-round
• Weather: View weather forecast

• Difficulty: Strenuous
• Length: 12.0 mi
• Elevation Gain: 4,000 ft
• High Point: 6,440 ft

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