Winter Scramble - Emerald Ridge Loop

Various P&Rs to accommodate attendees, then 7AM at gated end of west side road, just short of dry falls.  There are no restroom facilities at this trailhead.  If the gate to the west side road is still closed (unlikely but possible), we will start and end the trip from the junction with the Nisqually entrance road (adds ~5 miles round trip).

We will hike the west side road to reach the Tahoma Creek trail, then hike the Tahoma Creek trail (passing suspension bridge along the way) to reach the high point of the trail at ~5600'.  From there we will scramble to Point 6032 for great views of Tahoma Glacier and Sunset Amphitheater.  Descent will be on north side of Emerald Ridge via the Wonderland Trail to reach the South Puyallup Camp and great views of Columnar Basalt.  Finally we will hike the connector trail to reach Round Pass before hiking the west side road back to the cars. Photos from prior trips can be seen here.