Tenpeak Mountain (8200'+) is 4.3 miles SE of Glacier Peak in the Cascade Mountain Range of Washington. It is 23 miles north of Stevens Pass.
Our approach on July 9, 2000, was via the White River Road (FR22) and Trail (1507). The trail passes through mixed old growth forest and is in good condition to 0.5 miles beyond the Boulder Pass Trail 1562. Past that point, more or less continuous openings are produced by regular avalanches off the southwest slopes of Clark Mountain. The trail is badly overgrown and eroded in places. We removed our boots to ford one shallow stream.
In the forest, the mosquito density was about as high as it gets in the Cascade Mountains. The density was light after we left the forest 0.3 mile upstream of the Boulder Pass Trail junction due to the down-valley wind.
This was the first use of Brian's new tent at a camp at the junction of Thunder Creek and the White River. At one point, he informed us via email that the whole point of the trip was to try out his tent (7/7/00). 2000.07.10
The shepherd's trail to Thunder Basin is very pleasant for an unmaintained climbing route. It leaves the White River Trail about 0.6 mile west of the Thunder Creek crossing after it levels out after climbing away from the creek. We found the blaze on the tree on the north side of the trail without significant difficulty. Initially, the route was obscured by downed logs. About 0.1 mile from the trail, it begins an eastward ascending traverse of the valley wall and becomes easy to follow. On this section, someone had cut limbs and brush shortly before our visit.
In the lower basin old growth (below 4160'), the route was blazed with orange-brown paint. It was obvious if you were looking for it, but it did not mar the forest. Ribbons marked the entrance to alder thickets in one or two places. The route is not apparent after a small clearing just below the major tributary of Thunder Creek at 4000'. After wasting time looking for it, we crossed the tributary on somewhat inadequate logs and reached a large and lovely clearing where we camped.
The next day we gained about 100' on heather to the right of a small stream, then hiked through a short section of alder brush. The route was no longer marked but the entrance was fairly obvious. By staying fairly low and traversing east we entered the old growth forest near Thunder Creek. After another 30' gain (steep but no brush) we reached more moderate terrain. No blazes or route markings were apparent, but the forest was open and route finding was straightforward. At about 5100', we encountered another short steep section and reached the ridge just south and 50' above Thunder Basin (5160'). Thunder Basin is magnificent with 4000' high walls and numerous waterfalls, only a few of which are visible in the image above. 2000.07.11
My companions return to our camp in Thunder Basin. Mt. David is the highest mountain in the background.
In this mosaic, at left are the White Mountains (6929'). Mt. David (7420') is the rounded summit on the second ridge just left of center, Mt. Jonathan (7195') is just right of center, and Mt. Saul (7280'+) is on the first ridge right of Mt. Jonathan. This view is south and southeast from a ridge at 6300' just above a small tarn northeast of Thunder Basin and looks down Thunder Creek to the White River. 2000.07.11
Another view of the striking waterfalls and cascades of Thunder Basin. This is from about 5300'. 2000.07.11
Tenpeaks Mtn. is a fine vantage for the SE side of Glacier Peak (10520'+). The Cool Glacier with its prominent icefall at 7800' extends from about 300' below the summit to about 6800'. 2000.07.12
Barb points at something while Brian rehydrates at about 8160' on Tenpeak Mtn. Looking southeast, the three peaks near the center are Chalangin Peak (8350', left), Luahna Peak (8450') and Clark Mountain (8602', right). On the north slope of Chalangin Peak is the large Butterfly Glacier (0.6 square miles). See 1999.09.22 Louis Creek High Route for a panoramic view of the same area from the north. 2000.07.12
This graph summarizes our trip. The horizontal axis is 24 hour Pacific Daylight Time. These data were logged by an altimeter watch.
Brian's new Kelty Jetstream 2 (2 person, 3-4 season, www.kelty.com) tent was judged satisfactory, although conditions were too clement to give it much of a test. It was more comfortable, roomier, and easier to set up than his old tent.
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Date created: 2002.03.13
Last modified: 2002.07.24
Copyright © 2002, Walter A. Siegmund
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