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- Apr 16, 2022
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The Bailey Range Traverse
CasÂcade TraÂversÂes, such as the PtarmiÂgan, are well-known advenÂtures. But deep in the heart of the Olympic MounÂtains is one of WashÂingÂton’s most eluÂsive traÂversÂes — the BaiÂley Range TraÂverse and a grand finale of Mount OlymÂpus. Read MM guide BriÂan Mueller’s stoÂry below and find out why its one of his favorite trips.
Over the dates of July 16 – 24 last sumÂmer, a couÂple lucky MounÂtain MadÂness guests enjoyed the wonÂders of the fanÂtasÂtic BaiÂley Range TraÂverse. This high traÂverse through Olympic NationÂal Park is rugged, remote, and involves a wide variÂety of difÂferÂent skills. ComÂbine this with a bit of luck, havÂing no rain, and a fanÂtasÂtic time was had on the traÂverse includÂing 4.5 days withÂout seeÂing anothÂer person.
Much like the PtarmiÂgan and IsoÂlaÂtion TraÂversÂes, where there are opporÂtuÂniÂties to climb some peaks along the way, the BaiÂley Range TraÂverse has some climbs along the way, culÂmiÂnatÂing with the crown jewÂel, Mount OlymÂpus. On the way some of the highÂlights of the trip were sumÂmitÂing Mount CarÂrie, which was a Class 3 scramÂble up the ridge from our secÂond nights camp, Boston CharÂlie. Up until this point on the trip the clouds had kept us from views, howÂevÂer while climbÂing the peak we poked above the clouds, and found some pheÂnomÂeÂnal views.


A favorite secÂtion of the route howÂevÂer, comes after campÂing at Cream Lake. The preÂviÂous day is hard earned travÂel across some chalÂlengÂing terÂrain, and you are now in the heart of the BaiÂley Range. This secÂtion travÂels over heather and interÂspersed game trails through alpine lakes and meadÂows, as you make your way to Lone Tree Pass. This area gives you a sense of the scale and ruggedÂness of some of the Olympics with a 2000’ drop from camp down to the Goldie drainage.
As we roundÂed the traÂverse and made our way towards Mount OlymÂpus and the Humes GlacÂiÂer, eviÂdence of glacÂiÂer recesÂsion was abunÂdant when the map showed we were on the glacÂiÂer but had some final shenaniÂgans to actuÂalÂly reach it! From here it was smooth sailÂing through on glacÂiÂers and rock scramÂbling to one of the more specÂtacÂuÂlar camps a perÂson can visÂit, Camp Pan, locatÂed on a rocky prow overÂlookÂing the Hoh Glacier.


From here its glacÂiÂer travÂel interÂspersed with rocky scramÂbling, steep snow, and rock climbÂing to reach the sumÂmit of the West Peak of Mount OlymÂpus, where we were forÂtuÂnate to be starÂing in the disÂtance at the PacifÂic Ocean and VanÂcouÂver Island.
All in all, this is a fanÂtasÂtic expeÂriÂence, in a rugged area. If you are conÂsidÂerÂing this trip, preÂpare yourÂself for a rugged expeÂriÂence, but know it is one of this guides favorite MadÂness trips.
