Alpine Scramble - Meany Crest

Meeting place and time 8:00 AM at Summerland TH

Leader's notes Meany Crest is the summit overlooking one of the most scenic campgrounds in all of Mount Rainier National Park, Summerland, and providing beautiful views of Panhandle Gap, Little Tahoma, the lower Emmons Glacier, and the entire Sunrise area of Mt. Rainier. It is a moderate Class 2-3 scramble over broken boulders and snowfields. While fairly cliffy and impressive looking from Summerland and near Panhandle Gap, Meany Crest is merely the termination point on the ridge radiating down from Little Tahoma Peak. In most cases, Meany Crest is often passed on the approach to the Frying Pan Glacier and Little Tahoma.

DRIVING INSTRUCTIONS:
Drive SR-169 South from Renton to Enumclaw. From Enumclaw, take SR-410 to Mt. Rainier National Park. Shortly after passing the road to Crystal Mountain Ski Area, you will enter the National Park. Drive a couple of miles, turning right onto the White River Road in the direction of Sunrise. Drive a few more miles to just past Frying Pan Creek, and park in the trailhead parking lot (about 15 parking spots for cars). Find the trailhead directly on the other side of the road. Allow two hours from Seattle. National Park Pass or entry fee required. .

GEAR:
- Ice Axe is always required.
- Helmets are required for students.
- Trekking poles are recommended.
- National Park Pass or entry fee is required.

ROUTE:
Take the Frying Pan Creek Trail 0.1 miles to its junction with the Wonderland Trail. Take the left junction of the Wonderland Trail towards Summerland (in another 4.1 miles). At Summerland, see the twin-peaked Meany Crest looming above at a compass bearing of about 220 degrees. The summit of Meany Crest is the summit on climber's left. Climb snowfields below a cliff band, skirting the cliff band, and head up boulders directly up to a break in the cliffs guarding Meany Crest. There is also a climber's track on the lateral moraine (short trees) which is used by the climbers approaching Little Tahoma. Go through the break in the cliff band, arriving at a permanent snowfield. Climb to the saddle at the top of the snowfield, and head left for an easy scramble to the summit. Mainly Class 2, with some Class 3 thrown in. Time: 4 hours from the car.

TOPO:
Here are links to additional information and photos for this trip plus a Topo! map:
http://www.summitpost.org/meany-crest/423485

http://www.summitpost.org/meany-crest-route/523255

Please note I will email a better version of the map prior to the trip.