Colonial Peak (Marblemount)

Colonial Peak is located within North Cascades National Park and is one of several peaks that form a crescent around Colonial Glacier. The north face of Colonial Peak is an impressive sight as it rises over 6000 vertical feet from Diablo Lake and presents a challenging technical climb. Travelers look up from the Diablo Lake overlook along the North Cascades Highway and can view it among the Pyramid Peak/Pinnacle Peak/Paul Bunyans Stump/Colonial Peak group. Access from the Pyramid Lake Trail and from the lake locate and follow a climber's path up the long ridge to the base of Pyramid Peak, then traverse under steep cliffs prone to slides to get onto the Colonial Glacier. From the glacier ascend the peak via the west ridge. The panoramic vista from the summit includes the Picket Range across the Skagit valley, the immense white Neve Glacier of Snowfield Peak, and distant views to Jack, Logan, Buckner, Jack, Hozomeen, Baker, and other giants of the North Cascades. First ascent by William Degenhardt and Herbert Strandberg on 7/31/1931. The first ascent of the north face was not accomplished until 1986.