Summit Castle Peak, Mount Rainier NP

Start this route at the Narada Falls Parking lot. This route starts by following Stevens Canyon Road until you arrive at Reflection Lakes after 1.5 miles. About halfway along the lakeshore a path breaks off to the right into the forest. This is a popular route so there is often a snowshoe path beaten in (during winter season). Follow the path, or if there is not one, find your own way through the forest until you reach the open slopes below and between Foss Peak, The Castle and Pinnacle Peak (from left to right). You are aiming for the saddle to the left of The Castle. Careful route selection through here is important as it may be avalanche terrain in certain conditions.

When you arrive at the saddle the views really open up. This is a good turn around point if you are not comfortable with steep snow, or rock climbing with exposure. From here you can see the backside of The Castle, where a snow slope leads to the rock wall, which is much shorter on this side and features many ledges and steep gulleys to allow passage to the summit. The rock pitch is generally short and ranges in difficulty from 4th class to about 5.6 depending on route selection. Confident parties can reach the summit without climbing gear. The summit ridge is a very exposed assemblage of rock pinnacles forming a long fin, traversing the ridge and down climbing from the summit requires some technical skill and should only be attempted by experienced climbers. The rock, unlike most in the park, is very clean, solid and provides many interesting holds.

Once safely on the ground, celebrate, high-five, enjoy the world-class views and then return the way you came.

Shout-out to my friends Oren and Mikey, with whom I made a successful ascent of The Castle.