Summit: 6,219ft
8m 4,000ft gain
Baring Mountain or Mount Baring is a relatively unknown peak located off Hwy 2 in Wild Sky Wilderness. If you’ve seen its 3,000ft sheer north face you’ll wonder why it’s not famous. It’s truly one of the great sheer mountain walls in the country and rivals any wall in Yosemite. The caveat and reason it’s unknown is it’s poor rock quality, brushy terrain and lack of infrastructure. Head to the Gunn Massif to see the northern facing walls. Luckily for those like me there is an easier scramble route from the south side that is also worthy of high praise.
From Heybrook Lookout:
1st Trip: 6/16/19
Since I was up early dropping off my folks at the airport I sought out a quick scramble. This would mark my first peak off Hwy 2 and my 2nd peak in the Wild Sky Wilderness. I almost didn’t make it as I waited 10 minutes for the slowest train of all time to pass. I was then given a 10 second window to cross before another slow train passed in the other direction.
The trail starts by gaining 2,000ft in 1 mile on my type of trail!
After gaining the ridgeline it’s easy going until you arrive at the base of the main gully.
From there you’ll work your way up the gully to a notch between the south peak(right) and Baring(left).
At the notch you’ll head up to the summit on some easier terrain than the gully. Looking back at the south peak from the summit:
West
Looking north at the Gunn Massif (Gunn, Gunnshy, Tailgunner, Wing and Merchant Peaks)
Southeast
South
The cloud inversion made me understand why it’s called the Wild Sky Wilderness! Glacier Peak:
Mount Daniel and Mount Hinman
Mount Stuart
Cashmere Mountain
Foggy, Spire, Sloan and Columbia Peaks
As seen from what seems like every Central Cascade peak: Chimney Rock, Overcoat and Lemah.
Plus Malachite, Chikamin and Big Snow.
Hemlock, Bryant, Chair, Kaleetan and Treen Peaks
Mount Rainier
Heading back down the gully looking past Grotto Mountain at Mount Daniel.
Excellent day on an excellent peak! I’m looking forward to more hikes in this rugged area!
Thumbs up to Baring Mountain!
CAPPY TRAILS 