Sacajawea Peak
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Hikes to this destination:
- Sacajawea Peak Add-on Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Weather forecast: NWS/NOAA
- Maps: Oregon Hikers Maps Google Maps
- Latitude, Longitude: 45.24512, -117.29302
- Elevation: 9838 feet
Description
Sacajawea Peak is now listed as the highest summit in the Wallowas and sixth highest mountain in Oregon. Officially, it is 12 feet higher than the neighboring summit of the Matterhorn, which lies to the south on the same ridge. For years, the Matterhorn was posted on Oregon maps as around 10,000 feet and now, because of the rules of prominence, it is no longer considered a separate summit at all.
Sacajawea's east face is a massive slab of layered marble from the Martin Bridge Formation. There is a sharp transition heading south on the ridge to dark reddish Hurwal shale. Mountain goats can be seen from the summit and golden-mantled ground squirrels live here, too.
The easiest way to summit Sacajawea is via its east ridge from Thorp Creek Meadows. A loop can be made by descending into the cirque that cradles the headwaters of Thorp Creek. This is a steep but safe scree slope harboring numerous mountain goat wallows. Then pick your way down to the meadows along Thorp Creek.
Sacajawea can also be reached along the ridge from the Matterhorn. First, cross the wide marble hump of an intermediate summit with its interesting "well", and then pick your way around gendarmes on the ridge. This route is not recommended for those without climbing experience.
More Links
- Sacajawea Peak via Thorp Creek (Eric’s Base Camp)
- Sacajawea Peak (SummitPost)
- Sacajawea Peak, Oregon (Peakbagger.com)
Contributors
- bobcat (creator)