Trip Report
Winter Scramble - Cowlitz Gap & Rocks (winter)
Winter route in good shape. Future trips should know it takes the full time the gates are open to complete in time.
Jason Griffith
- Sun, Mar 1, 2026
- Winter Scramble - Cowlitz Gap & Rocks (winter)
- Cowlitz Gap & Rocks (winter)
- Scrambling
- Successful
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- Road suitable for all vehicles
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Started in snowshoes from the end of the parking lot. Blue bird weather and barely any wind high. Snow was good. Saw a solid snowbridge over Stevens creek so instead of going up the valley we headed more straight to the rocks. No big cornices on the west side of valley, but it was hot and there was some evidence of small loose, wet avy on the west slope so it was good limited ourselves in the valley (which is the usual route I go). The direct route has the potential of more scrambling on small rock bands, so keep that in mind if you choose to go that way.
This year had really low snow levels but a recent dumping a few days ago helped with a layer of fresh snow. The slope up to the rocks had a bit more rocks showing than typical, but using crampons to gain the rocks was the same as in years past.
A successful trip with only 15 minutes to spare to get back before the 4pm gate closure at Longmire. Since the up gate opened 15 minutes early, it's important to know this is a route that people should have good conditioning for due to the time constraints.
the valley was busier than normal and I think i counted a grand total of 3 other parties thru the valley, but no one at the Rocks besides us.
Super warm for March 1st and without any wind, you can feel the heat reflecting off the snow. We were in our lightest weight clothing for the entire day (no gloves or even a light weight jacket was needed this time).
