This winter scramble is 9-10 mile and 3,000ft elevation gain with potential for excellent views of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area east of Snoqualmie Pass. Because the days are still plenty short, we will get an early start, arriving at the end of the plowed section of the Gold Creek sno-park by 6:45AM with a plan to be walking shortly after 7am. A sno-park permit is required. For those unfamiliar with the TH, take exit 54 from I-90 and cross back over the interstate to the north side turn r... More

This winter scramble is 9-10 mile and 3,000ft elevation gain with potential for excellent views of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area east of Snoqualmie Pass. Because the days are still plenty short, we will get an early start, arriving at the end of the plowed section of the Gold Creek sno-park by 6:45AM with a plan to be walking shortly after 7am. A sno-park permit is required. For those unfamiliar with the TH, take exit 54 from I-90 and cross back over the interstate to the north side turn right and look for the sno-park. Given the winter scramble conditions, please bring: • ice axe & helmet • mountaineering snow shoes with aggressive teeth • crampons (just in case it’s icy in sections) • one shovel & probe per four people (avalanche beacons are optional, . . . if you have one go ahead and bring it and we’ll discuss at the trail head, . . . if you don’t have one, don’t go out renting/buying one) • 10 essentials for winter travel (plenty of layers). • There’s a chance we’ll be walking out on the road in near darkness, so make certain you have a functioning headlamp with fresh batteries and spares. Group gear we’ll distribute at the TH includes: • Rope • Stove • Shovels / probes • Sleeping bag, bivvy, and insulation layer (I’ll carry these) We will start where the snow plowing ends at 2,500 ft elevation (or so) on the Snoqualmie Pass USGS quad. We’ll walk south along I-90 to the Stampede Pass USGS. We will head uphill after crossing Rocky Run Creek, angling right to avoid rocky outcrops at 4,000 ft elevation, and then continuing up toward the false summit. We'll traverse north under the false summit and beyond the true summit and will approach the true summit on the NW ridge.

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