Route: Gardner & North Gardner (WA)

Gardner and North Gardner are just west of Winthrop, WA. You start at Wolf Creek Trailhead. It is a 10 mile run into Gardner Meadows which is at the base of Gardner. From here to the summit of Gardner there is no trail. From the top, descend to the west onto a ridge that takes you to a low point between Gardner and North Gardner. Upon reaching this point you traverse another ridge up to the summit of North Gardner. After reaching the summit of North Gardner you will follow the ridge you came in on to the low point between Gardner and North Gardner. From here depending on the snow you can either go down the snow in the bowl or run down the rock scree back to Gardner Meadows. You then run or hike back out the 10 miles to the trail head.

Another variation that's shorter in mileage but steeper in vertical gain (approximately 19 miles and 11300 feet of gain) begins by climbing Abernathy peak to the south (which has its own separate FKT page here). The trailhead is located off of National Forest Road 4440, to the Northeast of Twisp, WA. NF-4440 is primarily gravel, but as of the time of this submission was easily passable for two-wheel-drive vehicles. Google Maps link to trailhead here.

Starting at the sign at the trailhead, follow the trail that leads to Scatter Lake. This well-used trail switchbacks up along the side of Scatter Creek, which is not easily accessible along the first few miles of trail. Eventually, the trail will lead you to a small basin. You'll see a large waterfall to climber's left and then you will climb steeply out of this lower basin to an upper basin. Scatter Lake is a vivid blue and very inviting on a hot day and you'll get your first views of Abernathy Peak. The trail skirts around the East side of Scatter Lake and starts to fade as you continue towards the head of the basin (Northwest). Depending on the time of year, you may end up on steep scree or snow or both as you ascend towards the saddle to climber's right of the peak. Once you've gained the saddle, you may find a use trail or bootpack that leads you West to the summit. 

After tagging the summit you must descend the harrowing North Side of Abernathy, this may look quite different depending upon the season but goes with an ice axe in hand. Head down towards Abernathy Lake, then maintain elevation as you skirt around the hillside until you reach Gardner Meadows which is at the base of Gardner. From here to the summit of Gardner there is no trail. From the top you descended to the west onto a ridge that takes you to a low point between Gardner and North Gardner. Upon reaching this point you traverse another ridge up to the summit of North Gardner. After reaching the summit of North Gardner you will follow the ridge you came in on to the low point between Gardner and North Gardner. From here depending on the snow you can either go down the snow in the bowl or run down the rock scree back to Gardner Meadows.

Then reverse your traverse past Abernathy Lake, reclimb the North side of Abernathy Peak and run back down to the trailhead the way you came up.

point to point variation:

Start at the Abernathy trailhead. Getting there: The trailhead is located off of National Forest Road 4440, to the Northeast of Twisp, WA. NF-4440 is primarily gravel, but is easily passable for two-wheel-drive vehicles. Google Maps link to trailhead here.

Follow the trail towards Scatter lake and then to the summit of Abernathy with some bushwhacking and tree hopping. From the summit traverse along the ridge towards the Gardners (passing some cool old mine ruins along the way). Then eventually drop down the ridge towards Dirty Pond. Traverse along the valley in the direction of Gardner. There is no trail, ascend the slope that begins as a nice meadow and quickly becomes classic loose scree. Once at the summit of Gardner enjoy epic views and traverse the ridge to North Gardner. Depending on the time of the year the ridge may be snow covered or all melted out. From North Gardner traverse partly back along the ridge then scree ski down to Gardner Meadows and take the Wolf Creek Trail to exit at the Wolf Creek Trailhead. At the time of this submission the Wolf Creek Trail has lots of fireweed along it that makes you feel sometimes like you are in a corn maze.