Alpine Scramble - Church Mountain

I stepped in for Andy Cahn as leader as he injured his ankle the prior day.  Got to the trailhead at 7:30 am and we were on the trail by 7:45.  Made great time up a couple of thousand feet to the basin.  From there the rest of the way was in the sun amongst hillsides full of wildflowers.  Once at the lookout we took a break for lunch and then started our decent into the basin.  This was complicated by steep snow on the upper north slope below the lookout summit rocks.  Since we hadn't brought our ice axes after 45 minutes of trying various exposed T4 routes around and above the snow we called it a day having only made it to the lookout peak.  Still a beautiful day to be in the mountains with amazing 360 degree views.