Fay Peak, Hessong Rock & Mount Pleasant

getting there

Drive SR 165 through Carbonado and the Mount Rainier National Park Entrance to the campground and trailhead at Mowich Lake (4,930 ft).

approach & ascent

Fay Peak (6,500 ft)

3 miles round trip, 1,570 feet elevation gain, strenuous 2 | technical 2

From the Rangers Cabin find the climbers path to Knapsack Pass marked "Trail Not Maintained". The path heads east to a saddle between First Mother and Fay Peak, Knapsack Pass (6,200 ft). At ~200 feet below of the pass head west and attain the ridge at 6,400 ft, a small saddle between Fay Peak and a false summit. Scramble west to the summit on a climbers path. You can return the way you came or run the ridge back to Knapsack Pass dropping off when necessary to avoid garndarmes.

Mount Pleasant (6,453 ft)

6 miles round trip, 1,700 feet elevation gain, strenuous 2 | technical 2

Hike the Spray Park Trail. At ~5,700 ft (an area with small ponds) leave the trail and head northwest picking up a way trail to the saddle between Hessong Rock and Mount Pleasant. From there it is an easy traverse northeast along the ridge to the summit.

Hessong Rock (6,385 ft)

7 miles round trip, 2,200 feet elevation gain, Strenuous 2 | Technical 2

Hike the Spray Park Trail. At ~5,700 ft (an area with small ponds) head northwest up through a grassy area to the saddle between Hessong Rock and Mount Pleasant. Traverse a basin on the northwest side of Hessong Rock and scramble toward the summit on the northwest ridge. A couple of corkscrewing ramps and a short, easy chimney with "vegetable belays" leads to the summit.

Hessong Rock & Mount Pleasant

7 miles round trip, 2,540 feet elevation gain, strenuous 2 | technical 2

• Climb both peaks, out and back, from the Hessong-Pleasant saddle.
• Make it a loop trip, by first climbing Hessong Rock and then Mount Pleasant. The head down the east ridge of Mount Pleasant and north cross-country to Knapsack Pass and back to Mowich Lake.

Fay Peak, Hessong Rock & Mount Pleasant

8-mile loop, 3,000 feet elevation gain, strenuous 3 | technical 3

All three peaks can be combined, done as a loop or out-and-back, and approached from Spray Park or Knapsack Pass.

• Suitable Activities: Scrambling
• Seasons: July, August, September, October
• Weather: View weather forecast

• Difficulty: Technical 3, Strenuous 3
• Length: 7.0 mi
• Elevation Gain: 3,000 ft
• High Point: 6,492 ft

• Land Manager: Mount Rainier National Park
  Mount Rainier Wilderness
• Parking Permit Required: National Park Entrance Fee
• Recommended Party Size: 8
• Maximum Party Size: 12
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12