Trip Report
Alpine Scramble - Hawkins Mountain
Two instructors and three students enjoyed a bluebird day in the mountains, with plenty of snow. Variable conditions and deep unconsolidated snow slowed our progress and led to a turnaround out of an abundance of caution.
Christina Black
- Sat, Apr 18, 2026
- Alpine Scramble - Hawkins Mountain
- Hawkins Mountain
- Scrambling
- Turned Around
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- Road rough but passable
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We had some concerns about reaching the trailhead due to a trip report from March suggesting that the road was closed due to the Sno Park. but happily, we did not have any issues with NF-4330 / Cle Elum Valley Rd. We parked at the junction of NF-4330 and Camp Creek Rd because there was some deep snow still on Camp Creek; however, even in the time we were out that day, much of the snow on the road had melted, so likely it is now passable unless there is more snowfall.
Consistent snow coverage started around 4600 ft. We encountered extremely variable conditions, ranging from bare patches of rock to deep unconsolidated snow that had been formed on the ridge due to wind drifts. The deep unconsolidated snow slowed down our progress significantly. We had snowshoes with us but most chose not to use them because the variable conditions would have required frequently taking them off. In some spots, we were able to go around the deep snow, but this typically put us on a steep slope that was icy in places, so it felt like too high of a risk (especially with a student group).
We did see a few roller balls and very small cornices, but it did not appear that there was enough snow left for much avalanche risk.
Even though we turned around, we enjoyed our day in the mountains with two instructors and three scrambling students on their first snow scramble. We were grateful to be able to access the intended route and to find enough snow for a snow scramble. We also had a bluebird day.
We had a strong group and were making decent progress, even after we slowed down significantly due to unconsolidated snow. We turned around at 6500 ft. Our group was in good spirits and likely could have made the summit, but we were close to our turnaround time and did not think we could make the summit in the time we had left (especially since we had not had lunch yet). We also were not sure if conditions would be worse on the steeper slope ahead.
Instead, we had a leisurely lunch break and made it down to our cars at a reasonable time. C2C time was around 8 hours.
Gear brought and used: poles, helmets (in case of slips on the descent due to a cautious instructor), snowshoes (only used by one participant, might have been useful for others on the descent), ice axes (only used by one participant). Definitely would bring ice axes for this route even though most did not use them as we turned around before the slope got steep enough to need them. If folks wanted to go around the deeper snow by going on the steep slope, I would suggest using ice axes here, although in most spots the slope was bare or had minimal icy snow.
Gear brought but not used by any: crampons, micro spikes. May have been needed higher up on the steeper slope, had we not turned around.
