Hemlock Peak via Pineapple Pass

Ian and I parked at the Snow Lake trailhead and hiked up the Snow Lake trail (#1013) and then took the Source Lake trail (#1013.1). Near the creek crossing where the Source Lake trail turns right we continued south below Bryant Peak towards Pineapple Pass. We crossed Pineapple Pass, then contoured NW below The Tooth to the ridge between Hemlock Peak and The Tooth. We stayed slightly below the ridge and followed it to the summit of Hemlock Peak.

Aside from a couple spots where I did some self-belay, we encountered no technical difficulties. We crossed a lot of slopes that would be very dangerous if the avalanche conditions were bad.

Comments

This was a pretty busy area, we met four or five parties on the off-trail section, most of them (maybe all) were going to The Tooth.

References

• Book: Cascade Alpine Guide: Climbing and High Routes: Vol 1 - Columbia River to Stevens Pass (there are two pictures with relevant routes drawn in)
• Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center: Avalanche in Source Lake basin

Maps

• Online map with route drawn on it: Map of our route to Hemlock Peak via Pineapple Pass

Travel Times

• 2 hours 57 minutes ascending from Snow Lake trailhead to Pineapple Pass
• 50 minutes ascending from Pineapple Pass to Hemlock Peak
• 23 minutes descending from Hemlock Peak to Pineapple Pass
• 1 hour 44 minutes descending from Pineapple Pass to Snow Lake trailhead

The pass to Snow Lake from below Bryant Peak

SE side of Bryant Peak from 4800 feet