slate peak

Slate Peak itself is not all that spectacular, but the drive up the Hart's Pass road is amazing and the meadows near the parking lot are full of wildflowers. It's a great, easy way to access the alpine high country - maybe the easiest way in Washington. Drive up on a sunny day and spend the afternoon wandering the alpine meadows and smelling the flowers. No better way to spend the day.

Slate peak is a good drive from Winthrop. You drive up the mountain to a Forest Service lookout a the top of a peak. It is dirt road and rocky most of the way, so take it slow, however the roads are ok and someone took a Prius up there. I was glad to have my F150. Once at the top where the road ends, its a short climb to the lookout. You can do it in tennis shoes, nothing difficult, but steep. From the lookout you have a 360 degree amazing view of all the great peaks of the Cascades. Go on a clear day, you won't regret it.

As with previous reviews, I suggest a stop at the Mazama store on the way up. They make fresh sandwiches that make for nice picnic fodder at the top. The road is decent most of the way and the two times I have gone up have seen sedans at the top. There is indeed a 1/2 mile section of the road that is narrow and cut from a sheer cliff that will put even a seasoned driver on edge....no pun intended. Watch closely over the bank to the left shortly after leaving the narrow section, you will see a cut up dirt covered area just below the road,....the mountain goats hang out here. I have seen them both times I have gone up and they are hams for the camera, also watch the alpine bowls/fields as you continue up the high valley (to the left), we saw a beautiful big bear on our first trip. Once you reach the forest service cabin you take a right to continue up towards the tower, this is the last leg of the drive to the top. You go thru several switchbacks to end at a gate. The road bed continues to the tower, which can be seen from the gate but you must walk the last 1/4 mile and although it's a road bed it's steady up hill and we had to stop a few times to catch our breath....remember, the air is a bit thin this high up. The top of the mountian was blown (dynamite) off by the military to make a platform for a radar station listening for migs and bombers during WWII, etc. In it's place now stands a fire watch tower which is the same height as the mountain used to be. The tower stairs are blocked off and it is posted as not safe but you can get up them with minimal effort if your gut will take it. It goes without saying that the views are amazing and it's an experience you won't soon forget.......Go late summer.....we went in early July the first time and got stopped by a snow drift just after the cabin and never saw the tower. On our second trip (7/31/13) all was clear. Oh and the horse flies like to bite as there isn't much food that high up...I'm still nursing a big bump on my head so be ready. My Gazetter says this is the highest drive in the state....Enjoy!

Supposedly this is the highest road in Washington State. The drive up to Hart's Pass is bumpy and not for the feint of heart. There is a narrow stretch that looks like a clip from a Discovery TV show about roads in Bolivia (except the fatal fall from the cliff will be a lot less than in Bolivia.)

This drive up the mountain is totally worth it. Beautiful scenery. There is also some kind of tower that was used in war or something up there. It's interesting. Fun place to drive up to but be careful it gets steep and narrow. We have a Subaru Forrester and I am 28 yr old female and drove our family up there. It takes about 30 min. up but it's beautiful. It definitely isn't just a quick trip up and back. There are signs up there to tell you what you are looking at. It's a must see. And make sure to go in the Mazama store. Such a cute little store. Tons of natural products.