Here Kitty Kitty (BETA)

Route is in BETA form and will be tested later in June.  Signup won't open until then. 

It was a lost house cat that first brought me to the Norse Peak Wilderness. Being the first to respond to a friend’s call for help in assembling a search & rescue team, I initially made my way towards Echo Lake with a pack full of cat treats and some basic gear to search through the night. Somehow I was immediately enveloped by the peaceful, easy feeling in that area. Through lots of hope and sheer survival Samson the cat now lives at home in Olympia, after 6 days of surviving on his own out there. What an adventure that cat went on. Now I like to go back there and get a little lost myself.

This route is designed to be easily accessible by car, no long and bumpy approaches on Forest Service roads. It is advisable to camp at the Crystal Mountain Resort because getting back to food and civilization after 45 miles is awesome. You can, however, start/finish this loop at any trailhead you choose.

-Mike Kenney 2024 BadAss of the Year

Route

0: Start/Finish at Mountain Commons Lodge Food Hall. Make your way to the PCT via Gold Hill Road East and the Bullion Basin Trail

2.14: Take a left on the PCT

3.51: Stay left at the fork to continue up and over Norse Peak

4.42: Make a hairpin right turn on a connector trail back to the PCT

4.85: Turn left on to the PCT

10.39: Turn left on the Arch Rock Trail

13.52: At Echo Lake, turn left onto the Greenwater Lakes Trail

15.69: At the T, continue right on the Greenwater Lakes Trail

16.85: Turn right to continue on the Greenwater Lakes Trail, climbing to Corral Pass

18.05: At the Corral Pass trailhead turn right on Corral Pass Road, continuing .2 miles to the Noble Knob Trail

19.62: Take a right to tag Mutton Mountain

20.43: At the fork, continue right on the Noble Knob Trail

21.41: Continue right on the Noble Knob Trail

21.55: The trail splits 3 ways, stay center to tag Noble Knob

22.02: Summit the Knob, then continue back the way you came about.6 mile to the Dalles Ridge Trail

22.64: Turn right onto the Dalles Ridge Trail

23.79: Turn left on the Ranger Creek Trail

24.42: Continue straight

24.81: Continue straight on the Palisades Trail

30.89: Just before reaching 410, turn left on the White River Trail (Palisades Trailhead can also be Start/Finish)

35.35: Corral Pass Road Trailhead. In .2 miles there may be an option to ford Goat Creek. This is OK! Otherwise continue on the road about .8mile to 410

36.14: Take a left on 410, then take a left on Forest Road 7176. Stay left .6 mile. 

36.74: Turn right on an unnamed trail

39.60: Continue South onto Northway Trail

40.59: At the fork, go left on Northway Loop Trail

42.03: Turn right to tag Northway Peak

42.61: Turn left on to Green Valley Trail

43.79: Turn left on Kelley’s Gap Road

45.64: Turn right and continue .2 mile to Mountain Commons Lodge Food Hall/Finish