Alpine Scramble - Snoqualmie Mountain

  We followed the "trail" for the most part.  Snow was firm in the open section from the parking lot with minimal punching through and then patchy until about 4,100 feet of elevation.  Water was streaming down the sections of the trail that are a creek bed but was still the preferred path of travel.  Trekking poles were very useful for the lower sections of the route. 

  The snow conditions were quite good overall with relatively firm snow down low especially in the forest that was good for kicking steps but did not require the use of any traction devices (although we likely would have if it were any firmer).  We punched through occasionally in open areas around and above where the Snoqualmie and Guye routes split but not more than would be expected for this time of year. 

  The stream crossing is melted out enough that it can be crossed entirely on rock.  It required a couple of steps in the stream but at less than ankle depth and was very manageable.

  The South facing snow was quite soft in the upper open areas but manageable and actually quite good for plunge stepping coming down.   We did not bring snowshoes and would not have used them if we had them.  We were able to do one glissade on the descent but that likely will not be an option soon given the snow depth and melt.

  The conditions were as expected for May (with slightly lower than normal snow coverage) and better than anticipated given trip reports to Guye Peak from the previous week.