"Virtual Cli ..." a Mount Rainier National Park Travel Page by mtncorg

Unicorn Peak is the apex , the lightning rod of the Tatoosh Range, which lies just south of the huge bulk of Mt Rainier. 6917 ft/2108 m high, the Unicorn is one of the more difficult peaks of the Tatoosh, though with some stamina and basic mountaineering skills, one can manage. From Snow Lakes, you go up the huge boulders on the southwest to a park high above the lakes.

For this climb, you should take rope, a climbing harness, both a rappel and belay device, a helmet, an ice axe and crampons - if conditions warrant.

Going up the boulder field on the SW corner of the box canyon, you eventually come out to a hanging park at the foot of the snowfields of Unicorn Glacier. Here, Mt Rainier looms to the north. Take your bearings carefully for the snowpass atop the skyline to the SE.

Wander straight up the snow or take a path through the rocky slopes on the east side. Conditions change from year to year and, of course, from season to season. Where you need crampons on one climb, you don't the next.

On reaching the col, obvious boot paths will lead you up to and along the crest to the east. Ahead, only the summit horn remains to be climbed.

The climb of the final Horn is only about 50 feet, up volcanic rock of class four. Adrenalin pushes a bit harder with the exposure of 2000 feet on the north side, straight down to the Snow Lakes.

Too soon, it is time to go back. So, a quick rappel off the Horn and ....

..... it is back the way you came. Memories, pictures and tired bodies.