Alpine Scramble - Thomas Mountain (winter)

Driving to trailhead cuts 3 miles off round trip distance for the winter scramble route.

The route was enjoyable though not at all technically difficult in late season conditions, though some of us got our heart rate up a bit on the creek crossing.

We followed Tom Girard's loop route, crossing Silver Creek on one of two logs just upstream from the outlet stream of the 2 lakelets at 4200'.  There is a large newly downed tree that is level that should be around for quite some time, though it is about 10' above the creek.  Some used 2 points of contact, others 5.

Once up the bank above the creek, the route is not challenging, with views at times but no need for ice axes today.  

Many wildflowers including chocolate lily and a plethora of calypso orchid are in bloom in the melted out areas of the trail.