Type: Snow, Alpine, 7080 ft (2145 m), Grade II
FA: Edmund Coleman and party, 1868
Page Views: 18,065 total · 87/month
Shared By: Danny Darby on Feb 16, 2007 · Updates
Admins: Jon Nelson, Micah Klesick, Zachary Winters

You & This Route


179 Opinions
Your To-Do List: Add To-Do ·
Your Star Rating:
Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty Rating:
-none- Change
Your Ticks:Add New Tick
-none-
Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Warning Access Issue: Seasonal Raptor Closure at Newhalem Crags March 1st to mid-July DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

One of the easy volcano routes of the Northwest.  Great scenery and fun glacier walking.

From the traditional ridge camp at ~6000 ft, ascend easy snow, with the Heliotrope ridge to climber's right.  Take care crossing beneath the Black Buttes area, particularly below Colfax peak, as serac avalanches do occur here with some regularity.  Beyond Colfax peak, turn gently right, and ascend to the Colfax-Baker saddle at ~9000 ft.  From the saddle, ascend directly up the ridge, with the steeper upper Coleman glacier to the right and the Deming glacier to the left.  Around 10000 ft, move slightly right onto the Roman Wall, and follow the convex slope to the summit plateau where the steepness decreases significantly.  To attain the true summit, walk east through the small saddle to the small east peak.

Descend via the same route.

Location Suggest change

From the town of Glacier, turn right onto Glacier Creek Road and follow it south for 8 miles to the Heliotrope Ridge trailhead (3,600 ft).  From the trailhead, follow the Heliotrope Ridge trail through the woods and across several creeks, then turn right onto the climber's access trail at around 5,000 ft (roughly 2.3 mi from the trailhead).  Follow the trail the ridge, which narrows shortly before the camping area at approximately 6,000 ft.  There are many options for camping in the flat snowy area at the top of the ridge.

Distance from the trailhead to the camping area is approximately 3 miles.

Protection Suggest change

Bring snow pickets and crevasse rescue gear.

Photos

loading