Mountaineering · YDS Class 3-4

Southeast Slope

Distance RT
16.0 mi
Gain
8,199 ft
High Point
8,796 ft
Trailhead
Easy Pass Trailhead
3,701 ft elevation
Permit Required

A Northwest Forest Pass or other valid recreation pass is required for trailhead parking. A separate, itinerary-based backcountry permit from the National Park Service is required for any overnight stay once past Easy Pass, since the Ragged Ridge cross-country zone lies within North Cascades National Park; this is typically obtained from the Wilderness Information Center in Marblemount, though it is worth confirming the correct issuing office for an eastern, Highway 20-side approach.

Route Description

One of four rugged Bulger-list summits on Ragged Ridge, reached by a long, brushy off-trail traverse from Easy Pass and climbed as a rock scramble rather than a technical or glaciated route.

Approach

Drive North Cascades Highway (SR-20) to the Easy Pass Trailhead, between mileposts 151 and 152. Hike the Easy Pass Trail about 3.6 miles, crossing Granite Creek and Easy Pass Creek and gaining roughly 2,700 feet, to Easy Pass at about 6,550 feet. From the pass, descend the far side toward Fisher Creek to around 5,050-5,100 feet, then climb back up and traverse west, aiming for a high camp on Mesahchie Peak's south shoulder around 6,600-6,700 feet. This traverse is largely off-trail across scree, talus, heather, and grass, with one notable waterfall crossing directly beneath the peak that is best crossed at a specific bench around 6,500 feet rather than above or below it. From high camp, ascend the peak's southeast slope, gaining a south rib and then a series of south-facing gullies with loose, exposed rock, generally trending toward the saddle between Mesahchie and Katsuk Peaks before finishing to Mesahchie's summit.

Descent

Descend the climbing route back to high camp. Wet heather slopes and cliff bands on this descent have been reported as treacherously slick in rain, and the loose rock underfoot warrants care regardless of conditions.

Weather Forecast
⚠️
Air Quality: Moderate · AQI 57
PM2.5: 10.2 μg/m³ · Check conditions before travel
5-Day Air Quality Forecast
Today
101
Unhealthy
Tomorrow
43
Good
Sun, Sep 27
73
Moderate
Mon, Sep 28
82
Moderate
Tue, Sep 29
74
Moderate
PM2.5 wildfire smoke threshold: 35 μg/m³ · Source: CAMS via Open-Meteo
7-Day Forecast
Today
❄️
Snow
32° / 19°
91%
❄ 1.9"
💨22
Tomorrow
❄️
Snow
28° / 19°
38%
❄ 1.4"
💨15
Sun, Sep 27
☁️
Overcast
38° / 20°
💨10
Mon, Sep 28
🌧️
Drizzle
39° / 18°
13%
💨6
Tue, Sep 29
🌧️
Showers
29° / 24°
58%
💧0.64"
💨6
Wed, Sep 30
🌧️
Drizzle
32° / 16°
40%
💧0.01"
💨6
Thu, Oct 1
🌧️
Drizzle
28° / 15°
40%
💧0.02"
💨6
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