Mount Stuart from Longs Pass - Mountain Majesty

Mount Stuart is one of the more recognizable and well-known mountains in Washington State, even for not being a volcano. It has over 5,000 feet of vertical relief in just over a mile of distance on its south face, which is sixth most prominent in the state. This makes it an extremely popular climbing destination, as the joints in the granite provide plenty of route opportunities.

It is also quite famous in the geological science realm, where it has been thrust into the center of a debate on where most of the rocks making up the North Cascades have come from. Depending on whose papers you read, Mount Stuart's rocks originally came from Mexico. Yes, really. I believe that side, for the time being.

Longs Pass is about the best spot to view Mount Stuart,a s there is no vegetation in the way, you are right in front of the best side of the mountain, getting full-frontal views, and the hike isn't too painful to discourage you from going up. Most people who park at the shared trailhead go up the Ingalls Way Trail, because Ingalls Pass is lower AND Ingalls Lake is stunningly beautiful. But, that just means you'll have the viewing pleasure of Longs Pass to yourself.

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