Colonial Peak
Description
WikipediaColonial Peak is a mountain in the North Cascades of Washington, United States. It rises steeply from the southwest bank of Thunder Arm of Diablo Lake, one of the artificial reservoirs on the Skagit River. It is part of a group of peaks that form the northern end of a chain running south through prized climbing destinations such as Eldorado Peak, Forbidden Peak, and Goode Mountain. Colonial Peak takes its name from the Colonial mining claim on its slopes. Like many North Cascade peaks, Colonial Peak is more notable for its large, steep rise above local terrain than for its absolute elevation. For example, it rises 6,560 feet (2,000 m) above Thunder Arm in only 2.3 horizontal miles (3.7 km). Its rise over the Skagit river on the northwest is even greater, but not as steep. Colonial Peak was first climbed on July 31, 1931, by William Degenhardt and Herbert Strandberg of the Seattle Mountaineers. The standard route is the West Ridge, accessed from Colonial Glacier; the approach is via the Pyramid Lake Trail, starting from near Diablo Dam on the North Cascades Highway.
First ascent
Best months
Hiking score 0–100 · 10-yr climate averagesNeighbouring summits
| Name | Elevation | Bearing | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neve Peak | 2,289 m | SW 238° | 0.8 km |
| Paul Bunyans Stump | 2,255 m | W 284° | 2.2 km |
| Pinnacle Peak | 2,219 m | NW 298° | 2.3 km |
| Pyramid Peak | 2,158 m | NW 310° | 2.3 km |
| Snowfield Peak | 2,545 m | SW 204° | 3.2 km |
| The Horseman | 2,443 m | SW 212° | 3.4 km |
Climbing routes
nearest first| Route | Area | Grade | From summit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neve Glacier / West Ridge | Snowfield Peak | 1 | 3.2 km |
| Shiny Yellow Crane | Diablo Wall | 7a+ | 6.4 km |
| Rainy Day Woman | Diablo Wall | 6a | 6.4 km |
| Kinnikinnick | Diablo Wall | 6c+ | 6.4 km |
| Upriver Justice | Diablo Wall | 7a+ | 6.4 km |
| Guillotine | Diablo Wall | 7a+ | 6.4 km |
| Al Tesoro | Diablo Wall | 7c+ | 6.4 km |
| Oso | Diablo Wall | 6c | 6.4 km |
| Bolts to Nowhere | Diablo Wall | 7b | 6.4 km |
| Ptarmigan Traverse | Alpine and Technical Traverses | 1- | 6.6 km |
| Cherche La Femme | Ryan's Wall | 6a | 9.2 km |
| No Reimer Reason | Ryan's Wall | 7b+ | 9.2 km |
| Kate Moss | Ryan's Wall | 6c | 9.2 km |
| Serendipity | Ryan's Wall | 6c+ | 9.2 km |
| Despicable Me | Ryan's Wall | 7b | 9.2 km |
| Highway 99 | Ryan's Wall | 7b | 9.2 km |
| Misha's Route | Ryan's Wall | 5c | 9.2 km |
| Cherche La Femme Extension | Ryan's Wall | 6c | 9.2 km |
| Paradigm Drift | Ryan's Wall | 8a+ | 9.2 km |
| Callisto | Ryan's Wall | 7c+ | 9.2 km |
| Shoe Phone | Ryan's Wall | 7b | 9.2 km |
| OSX | Ryan's Wall | 7c+ | 9.2 km |
| Luna Park | Ryan's Wall | 6c | 9.2 km |
| I Take the Blame | Ryan's Wall | 6a+ | 9.2 km |
| Cold Beer in the River | Ryan's Wall | 6b | 9.2 km |