Golden Horn

Description

Golden Horn is a striking horn best climbed in the fall when the trail approach is snow-free. Golden Horn is located east of the curve of the upper Methow River. The backpacking approach is about 12 miles from the parking lot at Rainy Pass on the North Cascades Highway to Snowy Lakes and Golden Horn.

The Pacific Crest Trail starts at Rainy Pass (4860 ft) and switchbacks four miles up to Cutthroat Pass (6800 ft). After about a mile of meadows, the Pacific Crest Trail drops to Granite Pass, and traverses under Tower Mountain for about two miles to a wide meadow. Here locate an unmarked path that leads up to the Snowy Lakes. From the upper lake ascend the easy reddish slopes which very much resemble the landscape of Mars. Class 3 scramble to the top of Golden Horn for fantastic views including Hardy, Logan, Black, Silver Star, Goode, Mesahchie, Azurite, and many more. First ascent of Golden Horn by Fred Beckey, Keith Rankin, and Charles Welsh on September 18, 1946.

Refer to Fred Beckey's Cascade Alpine Guide, Volume 3, for information on the established climbing routes via the North Face and Northeast Arete.

Thanks to theyogiclimber for this description.