Faint pink shimmers ripple across the dark waters of Lake Cushman as dawn begins to break. I pull into Big Creek Campground, nestled below Mount Washington and Mount Ellinor—two of the six towering sentinels that rise majestically from the shores of the lake. The verdant forest ascends to meet the stony crowns of these peaks, creating a breathtaking backdrop for the quaint resort cabins scattered along the shoreline. The scenery is nothing short of stunning.
Mathias Eichler, Scott Michie, and Chris Strode had once completed the grueling 23-mile ridge run connecting these six peaks in an impressive 16 hours, 18 minutes, and 21 seconds. But at 5:30 a.m. on August 8, 2022, I set foot on the path leading up Mount Ellinor, determined to beat that mark.
Unbeknownst to me, just the day before, Barrett Gray and Charlie Levy had shattered that record, lowering it to a remarkable 12 hours and 9 minutes. Despite this, my path and goal remained clear. With the press of a button on my Strava, I embarked on the journey, fueled by determination and ready to challenge myself against the rugged terrain.
A view through the trees at the northeast rock outcrop of Mt Washington
Looking back at Lake Cushman as I climb
Making my way up the Mount Washington Trail, I emerge from the timberline and begin the scramble toward the summit.
Long morning shadows stretch westward from the peaks as I take in the Cushman 6 route spread out before me. To the far left, the ridge leading to Mt Ellinor, while the section leading to the summit of Rose remains hidden from view. Copper Peak stands prominently at the center, and Cub Peak, my final destination, anchors the far right.
I glance down the valley from whence I came. Excitement surges through me, coursing like an electric current. Turning back to the trail, I focus my energy and make the final push to the summit of Mt Washington, the first sentinel of this formidable journey.
The Olympic Mountain Range seen from the Mt Washington: Top of the southeast side of the park.
The Puget sound basking in the morning glow beyond a rock tooth from the summit of Mt. Washington.
“Mount Anderson has the most beautiful glacial lake profile EVER!” “The one with the two spires?” I ask. “No, that rocky, fork-topped peak is Stone. Pershing is the one right in front of us. Mount Anderson is the mountain in the background, behind it,” my fellow Mount Washington summiteer explains. Our conversation burns precious time under the rising sun—it’s already 8:33 a.m.!
Looking back at Washington as I traverse the ridge towards Mt. Ellinor
I tried to draw the approxomate line I took across the Mt Washington-Ellinor traverse.
Mt. Olympus looking all that with its glaciated peaks, but check out the ragged sexy ridge of Cruiser.
Enjoying the summit of Mt. Ellinor: Mt. Pershing center Mt. Stone in the background to the left. It’s 10:38 am
The trail is washed out so there is fun ropes section leading down around it…and to a mysterious camp, named bear camp.
Bear Camp is a random camp set up with food, shelter, chairs etc. In the middle of nowhere!
Looking down on Lake Cushman from Mt Rose I check the time. It’s 12:48 pm
The main mountain group on the right features Mount Pershing (left), Mount Washington (center), and Mount Ellinor (right). These peaks rise dramatically above valleys that drain into the Hamma Hamma River. I like how this perspective showcases the valley that Mount Cruiser, Skokomish, and Stone are a part of. In previous pictures, you could only see the tops of these mountains, but here you can see their rise above the valleys they nourtish. You may recognize the Hamma Hamma name from the Hamma Hamma Oyster Saloon on Highway 101—a nod to the river that ties this landscape together.
Looking Up at Pershing as I ascend Copper Mtn.
Looking up at the summit of Copper. Two summits to go.
A closer view of the final ascent of Copper.
From beneath the crux of Copper Mountain, I pause and turn to catch a stoic glimpse of Mount Stone, its rugged profile framed across the valley. With a deep breath, I refocus on the task at hand, grasping the shallow rock ledge overhead to maneuver up the summit block.
From Cub Peak, the ragged ridge of Cruiser looks like something out of a nightmare—like staring out of the gullet of a great white, serrated teeth framing it’s maw. Despite its intimidating appearance, the ridge is truly spectacular, a dramatic and rugged masterpiece of nature.
A Close-up of Mt Cruiser
A final look at Mount Skokomish and Mount Stone as I begin the descent from Cub Peak to the Cushman 6 finish at Wagonwheel Lake Trailhead. It’s 5:46 p.m., and an unforgettable day of adventure is drawing to a close.
