Seattle, WA: Lake Valhalla and Mount McCausland
Camp near a picturesque lake then daytrip past huckleberry fields to a pointy summit with massive views above the North Cascades.
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-Mapped by Alan Bauer, Alan Bauer Photography
Trail Facts
- Distance: 5.6
Waypoints
VAL001
Location: 47.8024559020996, -121.076995849609
Trail leads SW, paralleling road through lush, wet terrain; steep, switchbacks begin
VAL002
Location: 47.8031005859375, -121.07950592041
Trail crosses into Henry M. Jackson Wilderness Area where slopes are dotted with old-growth fir and cedar
VAL003
Location: 47.803825378418, -121.081771850586
Stay L @ Y. Trail evens out, skirting fragile meadows and marshy areas
VAL004
Location: 47.8068504333496, -121.086181640625
Turn L @ T onto Pacific Crest Trail; head S
VAL005
Location: 47.8015480041504, -121.086273193359
Continue SW. These alpine fields turn a stunning crimson color in fall
VAL006
Location: 47.797004699707, -121.091651916504
Gaps in trees reveal first glimpses of Lichtenberg Mtn. to the S
VAL007
Location: 47.7920989990234, -121.09854888916
Straight (W) @ 3-way; trail on R leads to Mt. McCausland. From saddle, views extend across deep blues of Lake Valhalla; begin descent
VAL008
Location: 47.7914123535156, -121.104438781738
Find campsite near Lake Valhalla under the rugged slopes of Lichtenberg Mtn. Day 2: Return to WPT 7; turn L @ 3-way for steep zigzag up a heatherfilled meadow
VAL009
Location: 47.7936782836914, -121.100357055664
Distant views of ice-capped Mt. Rainier emerge to the SW; continue climb
VAL010
Location: 47.7969017028809, -121.103553771973
This point on Mt. McCausland offers 360-degree views of countless peaks. Return to camp; retrace route back home