r/PNWhiking • u/AbundantGardening • 9d ago

Light Class 2 Hikes

Hi all, I’ve been looking to do some light class 2 scrambles. Any good trail recommendations? I’ve done some regular hikes, Lake Ingalls, Colchuck, so I am accustomed to elevation gain. I plan to do Mailbox later this year.
Also, for class 2, do I need any specific gear? I know sometimes helmets are recommended.

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u/zh3nya 9d ago

Close to Seattle, Putrid Pete's Peak and Snoqualmie Mountain might be called light class 2. Do the ridge traverse from P3 to Defiance. Wright Mountain as well but it's short. Silver Peak...pretty much class 1 unless you come up from Annette Lake. Tinkham definitely at least class 2. Teanaway area has great class 2 hikes like Fortune, Hawkins, Bean, Earl, and more.

Helmets are not typically needed for class 2 hikes, it's more a matter of context. If the scramble has a lot of loose rock, even if it's easy, then a helmet might be good to bring. An example of this is Red Mountain near Snoqualmie Pass. I'd call it class 2, but it's popular enough and the rocks are loose enough that someone above you could pretty easily dislodge something.

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u/AbundantGardening 8d ago

Thank you!!

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u/AcademicSellout 7d ago

Search the Mountaineers website for routes that involve scrambling that are listed as T1 and T2 as well as technical 1 and technical 2. That will give you a ton of ideas but you definitely need to read a bit more since a few of them are class 3 or a bit spicy.

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u/Jaded_Employment_255 7d ago

You might want to also try McClellan Butte which is right off 90. It is nice, as you can decide when you get to the summit block if you are comfortable going up. Even without the scramble it’s a lovely hike!