Bearscout Peak

Part way up the drive, the road (FR 5510) became mushy, and shortly before the gravel pit at the gate (elevation 3400) became icy, but because of all the traffic coming up to cut Christmas trees, the road was passable. After another storm or two, the snow may become too deep to drive to the trailhead.  On foot, we continued on FR 5510 for 0.9 miles (elevation 3800) to the hairpin turn to FR 5510-510. (The beginning of FR 5510-510 is sufficiently overgrown that we missed it the first time. Once we found it, the going was easy.) A quarter mile along FR 5510-510 we took a look at the abandoned NF 65 and decided it was too overgrown to use. We continued on FR 5510-510 to its end, then followed the easy trail to the summit of Scout Patrol Peak, then continued on the trail down the backside to pick up 5030-612.  We followed 5030-612 to its end, then followed a well travelled foot path to the summit of Bearscout with its wonderful views. 

On the way down, we opted to run the loop by leaving the trail at 5300 and following the creek downhill to 5510-210. What a mistake! The brush was thick with willow, slide alder, and devil's club. Our unanimous advice is to stick to the easy and boring route.