Alpine Scramble - Mineral Mountain

This is a great summit.  Views of Rainier and the Willis Wall on a clear day, (like ours) are fabulous.

We biked via Carbon River and followed “100 Peaks in Rainier” route to the summit.  After leaving the Wonderland at about 6100, the higher route to the summit proved more attractive than the lower route.  I would suggest future parties that that route, (at least during ascent).    Until the meadows just below and SW of the summit, the entire route is trail, boot path and well stomped elk trails.  There is some very minor forest bashing from the meadow to the ridge and a nice T3 rock scramble for the last 100 feet.  Everybody in our party wore hiking boots or trail runners and was happy they did not even bring mountaineering boots.  Overall this trip is 20% bike ride, 78% hike and 2% scramble.

We found a very good stream through the meadow SW of the summit that comes down from the snow fields above it and flowing into Mystic Lake, (2016 was a slightly below average snow year).  With water also available just after crossing the Carbon River and again at Dick Creek, there is no need for folks to carry much water.

Including the bike ride, the total time was 12 hours.  We had no issues and the group was very efficient.