Mount Baldy and Domerie Peak

Summit Elevations: 5,107 feet and 4,771 feet
Hiking Distance: Summer 3.5 miles one-way, winter 5 miles one-way
Elevation Gain: 2,900 feet to Baldy
Access: Paved to winter trailhead, good gravel to summer trailhead

Located between Kachees and Cle Elum Lakes, these two named peaks are just a half mile apart. They are popular in both summer and winter. In summer, a nice trail will take you to both peaks. In winter, it is more challenging but still not too hard as long as you have basic winter backcountry skills. Avalanche danger is minimal. It can get steep and icy in places, or super deep snow, depending on conditions. For peakbaggers, it is the southern two peaks in a chain of 10 peaks that stretch north to Thorpe Mountain Lookout. These peaks have a better view than the nearby higher Thomas Mountain.

Take the Easton/Sparks Road Exit off Interstate 90. Follow West Sparks Road on the north side of the highway to Kachess Dam Road. In winter, the road is blocked with enough room for 20 or so cars to park (no pass requirements as of 2022). In summer, drive down Kachess Dam Road for almost a mile, then turn right on FR-4801 going a half mile to the trailhead.

Bridge crossing near the Summer Trailhead

Walk the road to the summer trailhead. Usually the first mile is on compacted snow from all the snow and maintenance machines that travel this road. The half mile spur road to the trailhead is probably less traveled requiring snowshoes if snow is soft. From trailhead, take the lower trail (downhill) that follows the creek up a short distance to a bridge. Cross the creek and try to find the trail if snow covered. If you can not find it, just go straight up to the first flat bench. Find an old road, follow it a short distance East until the road turns south, then look for the trail left going up the hillside (not signed). The trail from the first bench switchbacks up to a second bench at 3,400 feet. Enough people usually snowshoe this section that the trail is still visible in winter, but no guarantees. From the second bench, travel NE on easy terrain to the next big climb up to the summit ridgeline. (Other tracks may head SE up Easton Ridge, another popular destination). Views start opening up during this climb that can be steep in places. Once on the top, you are at point 4,942 dubbed Para Point. Now just follow the ridgeline through trees and open areas for a mile of ups and downs to Mount Baldy. Domerie can easily be obtained a half mile further, with a long slog back up and over Mount Baldy on your return.

Route (described for winter travel)

On the ridge heading to Mount Baldy

First view of Mount Baldy

From Domerie Peak looking to Mount Baldy on left and Cle Elum Lake below

The small climb up Domerie Peak on the north side

Mount Baldy from Domerie Peak

In route over to Domerie Peak

Looking North to Thomas Mountain (forested mountain in center)

Looking NW toward Snoqualmie Pass area

South end of Cle Elum Lake

A view of Kachees Lake from the trail up

Views to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness