Porcupine Peak

I rolled up to the Rainy Pass TH and left the car around 10am. There was still snow on the road to the PCT trailhead heading North from Rainy Pass. The PCT had a few blowdowns across it as I walked on the trail. Porcupine Creek had no easy way across with almost getting your feet wet, with some type of leap across it.

Just after the waterfall creek running down from the drainage below Porcupine I cut left, generally trending Northwest into the forest. There is definitely a section of thicker tree band that you have to make it through no matter where you enter the forest, but it eventually opens up into a big basin with some cliff bands right in the center. I avoided these cliffs my making a rising northwest traverse on the snow shooting for an obvious continuous snow section and the saddle at the head of the basin. The snow was soft and easy to kick steps as it had been getting sun most of the day. I made it to the saddle at the beginning of the ridge scramble around 12:15pm. Here I packed up my ice axe and pole and started climbing the ridge proper, but staying on the right side when I wasn’t sure. The whole ridge line is very fun 3rd scrambling with generally solid rock overall. I took the bushy ramp on the right, just before the summit and made what felt like an exposed move right at the top. I popped out and there was a big boulder with some webbing and a rap ring that looked to be basically brand new. I reached the summit at 12:45pm.

I enjoyed a few minutes on the summit and took some pictures of Cutthroat Pass, Tower Mountain and looking towards Black Peak, Goode and the Ragged Ridge. 

I left the summit just after 1pm and followed the same route down along the bushy ramp and along the ridge line proper. I made it back to the saddle and it was easy plunge stepping all the way back to just before I hit the trail. Here I encountered the thick tree band for about 10 minutes, but eventually found the trail. Then, it was a nice stroll back to Rainy Pass on the PCT with another type of leap and feeling glad I didn’t slip and fall in. 

Back at the car around 3pm. Beautiful weather and beautiful views!