Grizzly Peak - 16.4 Miles Round-Trip

Grizzly Peak (5,597') is located 8.2 miles from Smithbrook Trailhead on the Pacific Crest Trail in the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness. This open, fairly anonymous summit has terrific views that stretch north to Glacier Peak and south to Mount Rainier.

Trail Map | Photo Gallery

You'll also have great views over Glasses Lake and Heather Lake from high points on the approach.

The PCT runs north from Union Gap to Lake Janus, where it steepens up to the crest and undulates across open meadows, ridges and swales to Grizzly Peak. Though the summit is little more than a broad knoll, the subalpine landscape through which you'll pass is highly compelling.

Net elevation gain is modest between the trailhead and Grizzly, but several steep climbs and many short, up-down sections add up and give it a more difficult rating.

Note that water is very limited from Janus to Grizzly - plan to carry enough or fill up at the lake. A recreation pass is not required at the Smithbrook Trailhead:

The Smithbrook Trail (#1590) winds under a tall canopy to the wilderness boundary (.45 miles : 4,220'). It climbs steadily on variously moderate and steep switchbacks to Union Gap and the PCT junction (1.3 miles : 4,610'). Lake Valhalla is located 2.2 miles south of Union Gap on the PCT, another great option.

The PCT turns north and drops quickly to a low point just past a break in the timber (2.45 miles : 4,030'). Enjoy good views down Rapid River valley on this descent.

The trail rises back and crosses a stream on a hairpin turn (3.0 miles :  4,185'). It continues on mild grades into brushy meadows along the west side of Lake Janus (3.45 miles : 4,146'). 

The PCT steepens past Janus on long, steady switchbacks that gain 1000' in 1.75 miles. Thinning timber suddenly breaks across an open ridge with great views of Glacier Peak (10,541') and a line of summits in the northern Cascades (5.2 miles : 5,145').

Here the trail begins an airy 3 mile stretch across high meadows, swales and thinly treed ridges. Autumn colors and berries are exceptional on this segment.

The PCT wraps along an open contour and bounces down to a large swale (5.9 miles : 5,035'). It passes a spur that leads to great views over Glasses and Heather lakes (6.25 miles), and rolls on with more good looks before temporarily dropping out of sight (6.45 miles : 5,055').

A twisting path undulates and toggles E-W along the crest for the next mile (7.45 miles : 5,160'). The final approach steepens considerably on sweeping switchbacks that moderate across open heather just under the summit. 

Grizzly Peak (8.2 miles : 5,597') is located just off trail to the right, but is unmarked and difficult to pin. You'll know you've reached it when you wrap around its likely location and begin dropping through a grassy meadow with postcard views of Glacier Peak.

Glacier Peak is Washington's 5th tallest mountain, distinguished by over a dozen glaciers on its flanks. It's also one of 18 U.S. volcanoes considered a 'very serious threat' by the USGS. Glacier Peak has erupted many times in the last 15,000 years, two of which were among the largest in the region during this period.