There are countless ways to get outside in washington. The washington state legislature and governor created the discover pass in 2011 to offset steep reductions in general tax support for parks and other recreation lands and facilities operated by washington state parks, the washington department of fish and wildlife wdfw and the washington state department of natural resources dnr. Again, beckey is a little cracked out on the description of the belay here. Our campsites are available first come, first served at no additional cost for vehicles with a valid discover pass, making it easier than ever to find your new favorite outdoor destination. Liberty is a dispersed campground which lies along a creek in a grove of cottonwoods, and is surrounded by forested mountains. Pete told me that they were going to climb liberty crack, so i told him that i would make a video of it. The rock is excellent granite and the tower has two routes on the north face and two routes on the south face.
Liberty is popular with visitors using the nearby u. Beckey route on liberty bell, north cascades, washington. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from may until november. See where you can save most with the washington dc sightseeing pass. Find out details on the rock climbing route named liberty crack iv 5. Deception pass bridge connects the two halves of the park. This was beckeys second first ascent on the west face of liberty bell after climbing the west face with john rupley in june of 1958. Seven summits is our specialty, including everest and kilimanjaro climbs and treks.
The beckey route is quite possibly the most famous alpine rock climb in all of the north cascades. There are hundreds of possible climbing and scrambling routes in the washington pass area from 3rd and 4th class scrambles to moderate alpine classics to aid climbing lines. Recreation passes and permits washington trails association. The best stop on highway 20 in the north cascades is at washington pass. I made this video out of disgust for the climbing approach and beta from supertopo which i usually hold in high regards. Lohan, based on your ticks, i would say its very well worth your time checking out the lines on the east face of liberty bell. Indys guide to hidden and notsohidden maryland climbing areas. Get an adfree experience with special benefits, and directly support reddit. If there is a lineup and you decide not to wait and want to climb liberty bell, consider climbing the girl next door ii 5.
This is still his favorite place to climb, and that stamp of approval alone warrants a visit. Specifically mile marker 162 on the north cascades highway route 20. Washington pass has something for everyone, from glacier climbs and short, easy, multipitch scrambles to difficult, big wall test pieces. Passes and permits are a reality of hiking in washington, and though they serve two. Hiking in north cascades national park is a bucket list adventure, and one that youre unlikely to forget in a hurry.
We turned around, drove to washington pass, and just did what the pnw residents told us to. Washington only living ghost town washington our home. Washington alpine club is a notforprofit, 501c3 organization, and your contributions are tax deductible to the extent of the law. Nestled in the beautiful cascade mountains near the historic town of liberty, blms liberty recreation site offers visitors an opportunity to camp near sparkling williams creek. First is the east face, with its steep big wall climbs.
Mar 19, 2015 the view of washington pass from the summit of liberty bell mountain, north cascades national park. Stewardship events wcc washington climbers coalition. Visit the mazama store 5099962855 for breakfast and coffee in mazama, a short drive down the highway. Northwest forest pass, america the beautiful annual pass, washington discover pass and more. Summer weekends are busy, with visitors filling most of the 15 campsites. Concord tower is the summit immediately south of liberty bell mountain in the liberty bell group above washington pass in the north cascades of washington state. Starting at 11am, enjoy two boneless chicken breasts handdipped in our special buttermilk batter, breaded, and deep fried to a perfectly crispy, golden brown in our kitchen. Next time youre in washington pass, avoid the crowds on liberty bell and have an. The pass is an excellent, accessible example of pacific northwest subalpinealpine forest and meadow habitats. January 16, 2018 seattle, wa the liberty bell group, a cluster of five granite spires at washington pass outside mazama, is home to some of the most popular and iconic alpine climbing in washington state, including classic fred beckey first ascents like the beckey route on liberty bell and the west face of north early winter spire. For routes on the west side, park at the blue lakes trail head, 1 mile west of washington pass nw forest pass required. This beautiful and stunning rock formation looks equally at home in washington as it would in the dolomites or patagonia.
Aug 18, 2016 hiking up liberty bell mountain at washington pass, highway 20 follow me cowboywade on instagram, skunklchuck on snapchat and skunklchuckrocks on etsy. Liberty bell is the most northern spire of the liberty bell group, a group of spires which also includes concord tower, lexington tower, north early winters spire, and south early winters spire. You will find few places in this country that provide clean mountain views and pristine ecosystem like washington pass and the methow valley. The ascent of the serpentine crack was very challenging with most of the middle of the route being entirely done. As part of the rei coop family, were dedicated to making websites and mobile apps that help outdoor enthusiasts connect, share information and get out into the places they love to play.
Washington pass climbing liberty bell, concord, lexington. The third day we took the morning off, but in the afternoon climbed central pillar of frenzy on middle cathedral rock 5. Drive into the overlook area about a quartermile until a fancy, prominent building is. White pass stickers featuring millions of original designs created by independent artists. State route 20 is the northernmost route across the cascade mountain range in washington and is commonly referred to as the north cascades highway. Now is the time, and this is the place for alpine rock. Hiking the high pass trail turned out to be one of the highlights of our entire trip. My second favorite place in washington, after boston basin. Mar 23, 2020 pass the time while you wait by climbing one of the three moderate routes on concord tower, the north face, the patriot cracks or the tunnel route.
The passes are typically closed between november and april due to heavy snowfall. Returning from an overnight trip to leavenworth always a mustsee if you happen to be in the wenatchee national forest, i spotted a sign along us97 pointing the way toward liberty, washington, which billed itself as the only living ghost town in the state. Offering the most moderate route up this iconic peak, the beckey route follows the southwest face up a clever series of cracks, chimneys and slabs for four pitches to the summit of liberty bell. She got antsy being in the concrete jungle of washington, d. The washington pass overlook hike is a mustdo for anybody in the north cascades. If you pass the washington pass overlook, you have gone too far. You can also enjoy our guided tours of dcs famous landmarks. Then comes the south and west faces with modest climbs in the 5. Washington dc sightseeing pass washington dc attraction. Head for white stuff, dont worry about starting at 2. Best rock at wa pass, shade in the afternoon, and its stacked with high quality lines.
The overlook parking lot is on the north side of the road or left when traveling eastward. Injured climber rescued near washington pass methow. It was the center of a washington state gold rush in the 1870s and has the look and feel often associated with the term ghost town. During a cracking weekend, one of the visitors told us about this guy who. Yosemite training in washington rock climbing guides. Stewardship our current work wcc continues to work with partner organizations at places like leavenworth, mt. Getting there for routes on the east side of liberty bell, park at an overlook just above the hairpin turn on the east side of washington pass. Liberty bell click on routes to subscribe to a rss feed of all new routes added to this category. In the cascades, washington pass has some of the shortest approaches to a variety of small and large alpine routes on quality rock in a dramatic setting. Washington pass overlook north cascades national park. Alpinegt on 20100730 view climbing log good intro to washington pass climbing fun climb with plenty of pro and quick rappels back to base. Washington pass climbing info everything you need to know. Today, the park is a hub for swimming, fishing, hiking, and wildlifespotting. The classic route up liberty bell, the beckey route, is a 5.
Rock climbing routes in liberty bell, washington pass. Washington pass overlook trail washington alltrails. Finally, is the mercifully short approach, especially for a cascades climb. Jul 1, 2016 near stehekin, wa the view of liberty bell mountain and surrounding mountains from washington pass observation point is simply stunning. Served with your choice of two country sides and buttermilk biscuits or corn muffins. Washington pass crack of afternoon the backcountry ski. This climb provides a good introduction to multipitch routes. At 5476 feet, the view of liberty bell mountain and other peaks is spectacular. This little leg stretch is an excellent way to break up the drive between eastern and western washington. Recreation pass and permit info for washington national parks, national forests, mount st. Each pass includes a 24hour big bus ticket and a choice of one, two or four attractions. Take a few minutes to check out the short side trip to the washington pass overlook. Rock climbing at washington pass and liberty bell in the.
In the 1700s, the areas mysterious coves and cliffs deceived european sailorshence the name. Faster parties with aid climbing experience can climb the route in a single day. At the crest of the cascades range, washington pass encompasses an area of jagged, snowcapped, glacierladen peaks. Mountain madness is a mountain climbing guide service and mountaineering school located in seattle, washington. Classic climbs for washington pass rock climbing guides. Few places are as remote as the heart of the north cascades in winter, but for those willing to get creative and work for fresh lines, snowmobiling to, and then skiing washington pass basically guarantees first tracks all day in some of the most epic mountains in the pacific northwest. Liberty, originally named meaghersville, is a living ghost town. Washington pass overlook, north cascades national park. My 6 year old son cruising on the 2nd pitch of graham crackers. Washington pass overlook washington trails association. Washington pass climbing north cascades mountain guides. The open, forested setting and usfs trails nearby make this a popular area.
Attractions include madame tussauds, national geographic museum, a variety of bike tours, walking. Liberty bell beckey route north cascade mountain guides. This scenic byway offers travelers a wide array of beautiful vistas and is part of the cascade loop, a 400mile driving tour through the cascades. Liberty bell is the most northern spire of the liberty bell group, a group of spires which also includes concord tower, lexington tower, north early winters spire, and south early winters spire it is a well known peak in washington, although it lacks high. There is no formal trail through liberty, but the open landscape makes it easy to navigate. Most of the approach is pretty easy by staying on the russell glacier to the east of the ridge crest for most of the approach. It includes 59 of the best routes, almost 20 of them have never before. Liberty bell stands guard over washington pass, and all climbers driving over highway 20 stop to drool. Commissioner of public lands hilary franz invites you to come out and discover dnr recreation.
Climb up to the left end of the roof, then pass it on the left, straight up the. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Rainy pass is about 4 miles to the west of washington pass. A detailed climbers guide to what is arguably the best alpine rock climbing area in the northwest. Gawk at jagged silver star peak at almost 9,000 5,000 above the highway, and the classic liberty bell and early winters spires at washington pass. Whether hunting, fishing, wildlife watching, hiking, horseback riding, boating, or camping, the department of fish and wildlife wants to make it easy for you to do the things you love, from puget sound and the pacific coast to the columbia basin and the rolling hills of the. Click on ascents for a rss feed of all new ascents. Use the 1 day hopon hopoff bus included with your pass to get around easily. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Beckey route on liberty bell, washington pass backcountry paleo. This hike takes you on a paved path that leads to incredible liberty bell views from the 1707 m heights of washington pass. The washington pass overlook trail, designated a national recreation trail in 1978, runs a short 0.
Helens for 1 mile and turn left east onto forest road 23 toward trout lake. Anyone climbed at the liberty bell group in wa pass. Mondo restaurant at 60102 wa 20, marblemount, wa 98267. Beckey route liberty bell washington pass, washington, usa. Climb to the summit of liberty bell via the beckey route. The area also has classic aid routes such as liberty crack on liberty bell. Washington pass is located on the east side of the north cascade mountains about two and half hour drive from bellingham and three and half hour drive from seattle. The washington pass area includes some spectacular and easily accessible alpine granite climbs, ranging in difficulty from the 5. Take advantage of highquality rock and some of the best scenery available in this part of the pacific northwest. Liberty bell mountain is located in the north cascades, approximately one mile south of washington pass on the north cascades highway. Liberty crack liberty bell north cascades, washington, usa.
Washington pass, north cascades the northsouth pacific crest trail crosses eastwest highway 20 at rainy pass. From newhalem, on highway 20, travel eastbound about 44 miles to washington pass. The sightseeing pass dc helps visitors to the capital save money on admission fees and offers hasslefree entry into the citys most popular attractions. By 1990 indy had explored most of the wellknown climbing areas in the. Its a long climb but once you get to washington pass, your work is done. The key to going fast on liberty crack is free climbing as much as possible. We have more than 160 recreation sites and 1,200 miles of trail. Trends a lot more to face climbing with minimal jamming though. These serrated peaks have rugged approaches, but you can find easier hikes to formations like the south early winters spire and liberty bell at washington pass. The best camping near deception pass, washington with climbing. Straddling two islands in northern washington state, deception pass state park is a popular getaway. The early morning hike in the climb is on the spire in the back, left of the notch. From such a lofty perspective, the views were fantastic in all directions. You can find it on the shelves at the earth treks climbing gyms and rei you used to be.
Old liberty faded as a town, and in 1892 meaghersville took the name liberty when a post office was established there. Bike the north cascades highway, tawlks foster suspension. The trail climbed above the treeline, into the alpine zone at 7000 feet, and traversed along the ridge between liberty cap and buck mountain. Aais alpine mountaineering and technical leadership 2 trip report. Jun 29, 2012 yet, not all was lost when we found the road to cascade pass blocked by blowdown. Id been looking at climbing a route on the kangaroo temple for a while, and the. The current town of liberty was originally called meaghersville and old liberty was two miles down the valley. Trip report from a one on one alpine mountaineering and technical. An olympia man who was injured while climbing north early winters spire near washington pass on saturday aug. I have separate pages for trip reports for the following popular climbs. The highest point along the north cascade highway washington state route 20 is 5,477 feet at washington pass. Over 400 miles of trails wind their way through the spectacular scenery of the north cascades national park, providing plenty of variety for a whole range of backpacking and hiking trips.