Scrabbling up McClellan Peak

The Northeast side of McClellan Peak from upper Snow lake

McClellan Peak

   McClellan sits at 8,364 ft tall. It is part of the Stuart Range and sits above the famous enchampment basin of Washington state. If you've never been to the enchampments it is a hiking and backpacking must!!! The mountain is number 88 on the list of Washington State's top 100 highest peaks. It sits 2,944 ft above large Snow lake and only 1,579 ft above Lake Viviane and Leprechaun Lake.

North side of McClellan peak from Lake Viviane

Climbing

There are several routes to the top. I took the standard route which starts at the Snow lake trail, trail number 1553. Trail 1553 starts out just south of Leavenworth and meanders 7.3 miles up to Snow lake. There are many campsites all along the shoreline of Snow lake. The best campsite view is along the eastern stretch but the western shoreline puts one 1.5 miles closer to Lake Viviane and McClellan Peak's approach. Camping at Lake Viviane or Leprechaun is also very doable but adds another 2 miles of hiking from Snow lake.
From Leprechaun Lake the approach to the mountain is pretty self explanatory. Head directly south from the lake aiming at the northwest side of the mountain. In May into July there should be snowfields in this area which can be seen from the lake. There's a cliffy ridge directly north of the mountain, make sure to steer to the right, west, of this area. 

McClellan Peak from Leprechaun Lake with the "choke"

Once up near the snowfield area the "choke" becomes visible. The "choke" funnels you into direct access of the upper portion of the mountain ridge.

 Upper portion of the "choke"

Once above the "choke" take a right on a steep thin ridge which leads quickly to a quite flat ridge. Follow this to the southeastern part of the summit block. From below the SE portion of the summit block there is rather easy scramble to the summit proper. The summit has a lovely area for two people to sit comfortably and safely to take in all the views and eat some snacks not to mention drink a beer to congratulate oneself on conquering the mountain. All in all i would say from Lake Viviane its about 3 to 4 miles roundtrip to the summit and back.

McClellan Peak's steep and cliffy north face as seen from just above the "choke"

Smooth Douglasia at 8,000+ feet

A horde of ladybugs above 8,000 ft

Mountaineering Capsule

Logging my name onto the list of peak baggers

Snow Lake from McClellan Peak

The Temple with lake viviane to the left

Lake viviane below with Prusik peak above it and Cannon Mountain to the left

Cannon Mountain to the right and frozen over Lake Inspiration and Lake Perfection in the middle

Little Annapurna on the far left, Dragontail Peak on the middle left and Colchuck Peak in the middle

Enjoying a Dagger Falls IPA from Sockeye Brewing, Boise ID

Heading down the "choke" on my rump