Mount McCausland | Washington Hiking

Section K of the PCT this week (Section J for Kendall Katwalk last week) brought me to a familiar trail but with an extension I had not done before. I completed a hike to Lake Valhalla last year and really enjoyed it as a fall hike. This year was no different; but this time I decided to extend the hike to the nearby peak of Mount McCausland. The summit had excellent views of the surrounding peaks and down to Lake Valhalla itself. There is the true summit that requires ~100 feet of additional hiking through a pretty overgrown section, but the views at the true summit are only marginally better than what you get overlooking Lake Valhalla to the Southeast. Also note that I did a longer version of this hike: there is a shorter version starting from the Smithbrook Trailhead a few miles past Steven's Pass.
Mount McCausland, completed September 21, 2024.
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13.5 miles round trip, with 2,720 feet of elevation gain. Moving time of 4:27.
Located along Highway 2 at Steven's Pass.
Shot on iPhone 13 Pro.