As the highest point between Wenatchee and Ellensburg, Mission Peak dominates the horizon from many vantages throughout the region, and that’s no exception within our ski area boundary. With a summit at over 6800 feet, it looms 6000 feet above the valley below, offering amazing 360 degree views.
There are several ways to reach the top of Mission Peak, including a few that can be accessed from our Base Area. For this outing, I started Wednesday evening from our parking lot and headed up the Squilchuck Trail, climbing steadily past fireweed, monkshood, and other flora before topping out and winding through open forest to the trail’s intersection with Beehive Road.
The evening timing worked out well. A layer of cloud cover helped keep temperatures a little cooler on the climb, while also adding some drama to the views as the light shifted across the ridges. After reaching Beehive Road, I turned left and followed the gravel road for a couple of miles as it meandered gradually upward through open conifer forest with views toward the Enchantments.
Eventually, I reached the junction with the trail that climbs the final stretch toward Mission Peak (FR 303). This section of single-track climbs through forest and lush summer vegetation before cresting treeline onto basalt on scree. From within the ski area, Mission Peak can often look a little stark and imposing with its dark cliffs guarded by basalt talus. Approaching from the backside, though, gives it a different feel. The route passes through more forest, softer terrain, and pockets of lush summer vegetation before eventually reaching the rockier summit zone.
Near the top, the perspective opens up in every direction. Looking east, the Columbia River Valley spreads out below in that classic big-country view that makes the Wenatchee foothills feel both rugged and wide open. Turning back toward Mission Ridge, the upper basin comes into view from a less familiar angle, with Microwave as the backdrop.
The Enchantments were putting on a show beneath broken cloud cover, with sunbeams dropping through in places and the ridgelines fading in and out of the evening light. Farther out, Mount Rainier was mostly obscured, but even with the limited visibility, the layered mountain views made for a beautiful and dramatic scene.
It was breezy at the top, which felt pretty welcome after the long climb.
To finish my, I retraced my steps back down the way I came, which made for an 11 mile roundtrip featuring 2800 feet of vertical gain. For a shorter approach, you can also drive six or seven miles up Beehive Road to access FR 303, which would be about 4 miles of hiking.
We look forward to seeing you on the mountain this weekend!
