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Mt. Chaval Route Info

Dale Flynn's Route Description

"From Darrington, drive north on Hwy 530. Take Suiattle River Road east 6.4 miles. Turn left onto unmarked, but excellent, Grade Creek Road. Drive Grade Creek Road for 4.0 miles. Angle right onto abandoned spur road (FR-2643) and park in clearing (can drive another 1.4 miles only with very high clearance and 4 wheel drive). Walk about 2.2 miles on spur road. Where sharp switchback goes up and left, leave road on right and traverse onto old fisherman's trail at 3,100 ft. Trail is hard to follow at times, with many ups and downs, but is very worthwhile. It contours E, then NE, to Bluff Lake (3-5 hours).

Pass Bluff Lake on north side. Ascend N through forest (to avoid cliffs), then E to Cliff Lake at 4,700 ft Ascend open slope N, turn NE when above trees, to 5,600 ft. Contour E across basin and pass just below buttress of major spur ridge. Turn N and contour along east face of that spur ridge at 5,600 ft until dropping slightly down into the next basin. Ascend NE across basin to enter, and ascend, steep gully leading to pass in ridge at 5,920 ft. Cross over to the N side of ridge and go E, probably on snow, to West Face of summit block. Take large, obvious ramp that ascends the face from left to right to summit ridge. Turn left and scramble to summit. Class 2-3.

Addendum to Dale's Description: 

The fisherman's trail has some rough gully crossings.  Watch carefully for ribbons marking the route.

We reached the 5920 notch by ascending the meadow to the ridge crest and climbing down rough steps into the notch, rather than going up the gully

In September, the glacier was bare ice and required crampons..

Camps:

There were adequate camps at Bluff Lake and very nice camping at Cliff Lake.

There was also a fine potential camp on a flat meadow circa 5600 with great views and a small stream of running water (even at the end of a very dry summer).

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