Climbing Clark Mountain, Washington, Walrus Glacier

Climb of Clark Mountain, Washington, by the Walrus Glacier route in June 2010.  Clark is a glaciated peak just southeast of Glacier Peak with an elevation of 8,602 feet.  The trailhead begins at the end of the
White River Road at around 2,300 feet for a total vertical gain of 6,300 feet plus an additional few hundred feet of lost elevation on the climb.  The approach involves four flat mosquito-infested miles along the White River, then four and a half miles up the Boulder Creek trail to the head of the Boulder Creek Basin which can serve as base camp.  It is another three miles or so to the summit for a total of around 22 miles round trip, making for a long overnight trip.

The approach up the Boulder Creek trail:
 

Boulder Creek crossing, knee deep at this time:
 

Looking up the basin:
 

The flanks of Clark in the distance:
 

Looking back down at the approach route from the head of the basin:
 

View from base camp:

 

Base camp:
 

Traversing north to gain the spur that gives access to Walrus Glacier:

 

Roping up ahead of the Walrus Glacier:
 

Walrus Glacier and the Clark summit:
 

The snout of the walrus:
 

Glacier Peak in the distance:

 The Clark Summit from just below the summit, beautiful geometry:

 View from the summit:

More summit views:

 Avalanche debris threatening the traverse:

 Descending:

Overall, a long but incredibly isolated and beautiful two day trip.