Mummy Kill Route (Mummy Marathon)

Dogs No Dogs

Features River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers

Also known as the "Mummy Marathon," this route traverses six peaks in the Mummy Range. To do this run, you'll need two vehicles. Leave one at the Lawn Lake Trail parking lot and drive the other up Fall River Road to the Chapin Pass Trail trailhead.

Assuming you get an early start, (as you should - this run is long and you'll be spending the majority of the time above timberline. I recommend a 3 AM or earlier start, depending on your fitness level) you'll be able to park on the side of the road. Keep in mind that Fall River Road is a one-way dirt road and is only open from July to September or October most years.

To start, run along Chapin Creek Trail to Chapin Pass Trail staying right at the fork for the summits of Chapin, Chiquita, and Ypsilon. The first three peaks are easy. There is a well-traveled trail up until you get to Mt. Chiquita, but be careful not to bypass Mt. Chapin - its trail splits off from the main trail and is easy to miss in the dark. It should take you about 3 hours to get to Ypsilon Summit.

From the summit of Mt. Ypsilon, head north toward Mt. Fairchild. There is no marked trail here but you should be able to find a place to traverse the ridge and descend into the saddle. What comes next is what I consider the toughest part of the run; steep class 3 scrambling up the southwest side of Mt. Fairchild. Once you get past this tough section, the summit is a few hundred feet to the east.

From the top of Mt. Fairchild, continue on to Hagues Peak down across the saddle. Scramble up the south side of Hagues Peak, which is again class 3. There is a summit register somewhere at the top. Be sure to sign!

From here, you can either head north and try to bag Rowe Peak for extra credit, or go southeast along the ridge to Mummy Mountain (as mapped) and complete the Mummy Kill Route, Mummy Marathon - whatever you want to call it.

From the top of Mummy Mountain, head down the southeast side of the mountain until you find a path heading west to the Black Canyon Trail briefly heading west/southwest before the Lawn Lake Trail, and then follow that trail south for around 5.5 miles all the way to the finish.

Keep in mind that this run is very long and will keep you above timberline for most of the trip. There are multiple sections of steep class 3 scrambling and bad weather is not uncommon. This is not a run for the inexperienced, and runners should be familiar with route finding. Plan to be out for over 12 hours unless you're in really good shape.

Alpine flowers, pika, raven, black bear, mountain goat, and marmots.