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Elevation: 4,584 ft
GPS: 48.55475, -120.65491
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Shared By: Lizzy Trower on Jan 30, 2006 · Updates
Admins: Jon Nelson, Micah Klesick, Zachary Winters
Warning Access Issue: Seasonal Raptor Closure at Newhalem Crags March 1st to mid-July DetailsDrop down
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Description Suggest change

The Washington Pass area includes some spectacular and easily accessible alpine granite climbs, ranging in difficulty from the 5.4-rated South Arete of South Early Winter and to hard 5.12 climbs such as the Thin Red Line on Liberty Bell and the Tiger on M&M Wall. The area also has classic aid routes such as Liberty Crack on Liberty Bell.

The area is centered around Washington Pass on the North Cascades Highway, extending east to the Wine Spires and West to Liberty Bell and the Early Winter Spires. The quality of the rock is in general great and the summit views excellent. The best season for climbing here is late June through September. Snow and ice might still be present early in the season.

Getting There Suggest change

From Twisp, drive north on Highway 20 through Mazama and up to Washington Pass. The highway takes a very obvious hairpin turn just below the peaks. The east faces are best approached by parking at the Washington Pass Overlook and ascending a trail starting across the road from the pullout. The west faces are more easily approached by driving a little further up Highway 20 and parking in the lot for the Blue Lake Trail. The climbers' trail breaks off left from the main Blue Lake trail as it bends right towards the lake.

119 Total Climbs

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Location: Washington Pass Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Washington Pass

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 519
Beckey Route (SW Face)
Trad, Alpine 4 pitches
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 488
Southwest Rib
Trad, Alpine 7 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 232
Northwest Corner (a.k.a. Boving-…
Trad, Alpine 4 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 35
Liberty Traverse
Trad, Alpine 26 pitches
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 97
East Face
Trad, Alpine 10 pitches
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
 89
East Face / Rebel Yell
Trad, Alpine 6 pitches
5.10b/c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 85
Clean Break
Trad, Alpine 15 pitches
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c C2
 131
Liberty Crack
Trad, Aid, Alpine 12 pitches
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c
 281
The West Face
Trad, Alpine 6 pitches
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c
 140
The Hitchhiker
Trad, Alpine 9 pitches
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c PG13
 36
Ellen Pea
Trad, Alpine 7 pitches
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 41
The Passenger
Trad, Alpine 7 pitches
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b PG13
 14
Liberty and Injustice for All
Trad, Alpine 5 pitches
5.12 7b+ 27 VIII+ 26 E6 6b
 47
Thin Red Line
Trad, Alpine 11 pitches
5.13 8a 29 X- 30 E7 6c
 4
Backseat Driver
Trad, Alpine 7 pitches
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Beckey Route (SW Face) Liberty Bell Group > Liberty Bell
 519
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad, Alpine 4 pitches
Southwest Rib Liberty Bell Group > S Early Winters Spire
 488
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad, Alpine 7 pitches
Northwest Corner (a.k.a. Bo… Liberty Bell Group > N Early Winter Spire
 232
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad, Alpine 4 pitches
Liberty Traverse Liberty Bell Group > Liberty Bell
 35
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad, Alpine 26 pitches
East Face Liberty Bell Group > Lexington Tower
 97
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a Trad, Alpine 10 pitches
East Face / Rebel Yell Silver Star & W… > Chianti Spire
 89
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad, Alpine 6 pitches
Clean Break Silver Star & W… > Juno Tower
 85
5.10b/c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Trad, Alpine 15 pitches
Liberty Crack Liberty Bell Group > Liberty Bell
 131
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c C2 Trad, Aid, Alpine 12 pitches
The West Face Liberty Bell Group > N Early Winter Spire
 281
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c Trad, Alpine 6 pitches
The Hitchhiker Liberty Bell Group > S Early Winters Spire
 140
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c Trad, Alpine 9 pitches
Ellen Pea M&M Wall (Supercave)
 36
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c PG13 Trad, Alpine 7 pitches
The Passenger Liberty Bell Group > S Early Winters Spire
 41
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Trad, Alpine 7 pitches
Liberty and Injustice for All Liberty Bell Group > Liberty Bell
 14
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b PG13 Trad, Alpine 5 pitches
Thin Red Line Liberty Bell Group > Liberty Bell
 47
5.12 7b+ 27 VIII+ 26 E6 6b Trad, Alpine 11 pitches
Backseat Driver Liberty Bell Group > S Early Winters Spire
 4
5.13 8a 29 X- 30 E7 6c Trad, Alpine 7 pitches
More Classic Climbs in Washington Pass »

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