The Remote And Rugged Trail In Washington That Will Lead You On A Grand Adventure
By Andrea Verschuyl|Published September 22, 2023
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Andrea Verschuyl
Author
Having grown up in Washington, Andrea is a self-admitted Pacific Northwest snob. In their opinion, there's simply nowhere else in the country with the Evergreen State's beauty. After attending university, Andrea devoted themselves to writing full-time. They're thrilled to represent Washington for Only In Your State while pursuing other professional and personal projects. They currently reside in Olympia, where they enjoy leaf-blowing their yard, perfecting homemade ramen, cuddling with their three tiny dogs, and feeding their pufferfish, Sea Biscuit.
Your sometimes-scramble up to West McMillan Spire will likely begin early in the morning when blankets of fog still cover the forests. The circuitous trail will cross two creeks as you start your long climb upward.
Cedar trees and sword ferns thickly populate the coniferous woods on either side of the path, but this initial ascent has built a reputation for being relatively pleasant among previous adventurers — at least relative to some of the calf-burners elsewhere in the North Cascades.
Breathe in your last thick air of the day and find your hiking groove. If you're lucky, you'll have executed the creek crossings well enough to make it out with dry socks. You'll need your feet in good condition on your approach to the hospitably named Terror Basin.
Once you break the treeline, the hike contains various areas where you'll be required to scramble. West McMillan Spire is rated "Class 3," meaning there are portions of the path that amount to an easy climb. As always, preparation and patience are essential when attempting these challenging routes.
On this note, while some have managed to complete the ascent in just a day, it's best to plan for a two-day excursion. Past visitors made camp along Terror Creek. There, you'll have panoramic views of nearby Mt. Triumph, and if the weather permits, you may even see your final destination, McMillan Spire, looming above you.
The spire is located in the rugged Picket Mountain subrange of the North Cascades. It remains one of the wildest and least-explored regions of the state, and not many areas are accessible to people. The West McMillan traverse affords you glimpses of a serene, austere, and unfamiliar landscape that few other travelers have ever experienced.
Finally, after almost twenty miles of some of the most strenuous hiking in Washington, you'll reach the summit. Mt. Fury, Luna, and the other Northern Pickets jag up to the north, and Triumph, Eldorado, and Glacier Peak swell in the distant south. You'll never forget the moment you finished this incredible achievement.
