This was the first objective of my week-long mini peakbagging trip through WA last July. Kinda got maxed out with the bushy cross-country approaches and post-holey snow, and was in search of interesting and unclimbed (by me) peaks with great views that also happen to be served by good trails. Accessed directly from Highway 2, about 14 kilometers east of Stevens Pass, Rock Mountain fit the bill perfectly. It would be my second summit on the ~5-kilometer-long alpine ridge flanking the north-side of the Nason Creek Valley, the first being Mount Mastiff which I hiked with my beloved dog Ozzie (RIP) back in 2010. Rock is neither the highest nor the most visually striking of the 3 main summits along said ridge, that distinction going to Mount Howard, but it is nonetheless a fine outing with a relentlessly steep but efficient trail leading up to the peak.

For something different I briefly considered the alternate approach and trail via Rainy and Snowy creeks on the north side but didn't relish the idea of abusing my campervan on the reportedly rough and bushy forest road to get there. No, just the standard grunt up from the highway would do this time. With over 4000 feet to be gained over 7 kilometers, this would be a great warmup for the other peaks on my itinerary anyway. Driving from North Vancouver, it wasn't till about half past 10 am that I started hoofing it up the trail. The ascent is steep, but straightforward, following an endless number of tight switchbacks up the south face/spur. Continued past Peak 5489 along the way, soon reaching treeline with open snow slopes above. Made a left here (right goes down to Rock Lake) and proceeded up the wide eastern spur to gain a large saddle directly below the South Peak. From here it was just a matter of putting one foot in front of the other for the remaining half kilometer to reach the summit.

Cool and breezy up top, with clouds slowly beginning to part. Superb 360-degree views starting with the Chiwaukums to the south, Glacier Peak and the Dakobed Range to the north, and Nason Creek Valley winding its way through the mountains to the east. Spent a good hour or more up there, and I'm glad I did for just as I was about to head back down, a pair of C-17's came roaring down the Little Wenatchee River Valley before banking left up the White River Valley, all at an altitude BELOW where I was standing on the summit. Bear in mind that these aren't little fighter jets, but rather full-sized, four-turbine military transport jets, comparable in size to a compact version of the 747! Quite a sight to behold I tell ya. Started down very satisfied with the day and a great start to the remaining adventures planned for the week!

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Set out for Gibson on what proved to be a marginal weather day, consistent with what the weather forecast predicted but which we foolishly hoped wasn't accurate. Made it to the trailhead under heavily overcast skies, thinking to myself that if at least if it doesn't rain all will not be lost. Several minutes into the hike, it started to rain. But fortunately, it wasn't heavy rain, more a light drizzle and so we forged on. Reached Watersprite Lake in good time and thankfully by then the showers had ceased. Wes and I have both been here at least once before, myself bagging the highest in the group Dreadnought Peak back in October 2018. No rain or snow whatsoever that time, opposite to the conditions we found at present.

Snowshoes on, and around the south side of the lake we go aiming for the amphitheater cradled below Martin and Gibson peaks. There's an Epiphone Peak and Fender Peak nearby in case you were wondering about the guitar theme to the names here. Slogged up saturated snow to the Martin-Gibson Saddle and contemplated our next moves from there. Straight up from the saddle pitched up quite steeply with a rock step that looked like it might require technical climbing. No interest in experimenting with that, especially considering the conditions. Wes was all for it, but then his skill at assessing terrain and navigation leaves much to be desired. Decided to descend the opposite side of the saddle for a bit before traversing to a shoulder on the south side of Gibson. Proceeded from there soon encountering a rock rib beyond which was a vertical drop off on the peak's SE Face. Turned up along this rib, then onto a snowy bench to wrap back around to the NW Ridge, above the rock step. Short bit of steep snow from there to the summit proper.

Views were decidedly moody thanks to the dark clouds just overhead and particularly to the west. Still a respectable panorama from up there panning from south to east to north - towards the peaks flanking the east shore of Howe Sound, Sky Pilot and co., Meslilloet and Gillespie Group to the SSE, the remote ranges flanking the east shore of Pitt River to the east and NE and finally north to Dreadnought with the Mamquam Massif lurking behind. Not too shabby for an otherwise miserable day! The rain soon resumed and so we cut our stay up top short, this time opting to descend via the North Ridge towards an obvious saddle. Some steep snow here, but still very saturated and soft, making for a nice log glissade. Returned to Watersprite Lake and on towards the trailhead again under intermittent showers. The cold beer afterwards never tasted better!

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