Longmire

Welcome to the Chutla Peak winter scramble! This is a winter scramble, so you need to have graduated either Alpine Scramble or the Basic Climbing Course to join the roster. Given the winter conditions, please bring an ice axe, helmet, crampons, snow shoes, one shovel & one probe per four participants, as well as your winter 10 essentials (plenty of layers). This trip is 9 miles and 3,800ft elevation gain with potential for mighty views of Rainier and several Tatoosh Range neighbors. Depending on the group’s energy level we’ll evaluate tagging Eagle Peak (another 300 ft elevation gain) from the saddle on the way back. The days are still plenty short, so let’s plan on an early start, arriving at Longmire by 6:45AM with a plan to be walking shortly after 7am. Google maps indicates about 100 miles and 2 hrs & 15 minutes drive time from the 65th P&R so those interested in carpooling should plan on meeting at 4:30AM. Also, if there are other carpool meeting places that make more sense than the 65th P&R (Renton P&R for example) please email this group with suggestions on carpool meeting place alternatives. We’ll be parking at the Longmire Ranger Station & Lodge parking area, so drivers will need a park pass. For those unfamiliar with the TH, enter MRNP via the Nisqually entrance and drive approximately seven miles to Longmire. We will start at Longmire at approximately 2,800 ft elevation on the Rainier West USGS quad. We’ll ascend along a trail switch-backing up through forested slopes until we gain a saddle between Chutla and Eagle Peak (5,700 ft elevation), and from there we’ll head SE on a ridge line to Chutla (6,000 ft Elevation). On the way back, depending on conditions and our energy level we’ll evaluate the possibility of visiting Eagle Peak (5,950 elevation) as well. Please call or email with questions. Rgds, Bill (206) 852 3008 (mobile)