North Gardner Mountain and Gardner Mountain

Gardner and North Gardner Mountains form the highest point in the Methow Mountains. The slightly higher of the two peaks, North Gardner, is wide when seen from the northwest or southeast, but from other directions it emerges as a narrow triangle. Although it has a rough profile, the softer rock of North Gardner creates a less conspicuous appearance than that of adjacent Kangaroo Ridge and Silver Star Mountain. In contrast to its pointed brother, Gardner is sprawling and broad. It is well above the timber zone on all sides with a precipitous northeast face. Composed of sedimentary and volcanic rocks, Gardner is more desolate than most of the surrounding peaks. Of its two summits, the northern point is the highest. Both peaks have high elevation scree basins, some of which hold firm snow late into summer. But because of their eastern location and relatively benign approach, this prominent duo can also be explored early in the season when kicking steps is easier than struggling on scree. The combined trip of North Gardner and Gardner can be best accomplished in 3 days, combining the scramble ascents of both peaks on the second day. The logical time for the scramble is late spring or early summer; a Memorial Day weekend often provides a multi-day high snow outing with a laudable aerial outlook.