Winter Scramble - Lanham Lake & Sam Hill Peak

This was Plan B after leaving the Surprise Lake/Mountain trailhead, our first objective,  where it was raining. Crossed Stevens Pass in hopes of finding snow at higher elevation and decided to try Sam Hill Peak. Left from the Stevens Pass Nordic Center parking lot. We were the only ones there on a stormy Tuesday, but we were now at 3,000 ft and it was snowing lightly. Turned out to be a great hike. Little wind, occasional sum breaks, and light snow. We followed the trail up to Lanham Lake. Continued up to the west of Lanham Creek and then further south to gain the north/south ridge line to gain the peak. A better alternative for the final approach would be to cut across the bowl to the east and approach from the east along the Alpine Lakes Wilderness boundary line. There was a ton of snow, but not so much that we couldn't push through. We were aided breaking trail by snow shoe and ski tracks that went up to the lake and beyond. The final ridge was lined by a long series of singular cornices formed as the wind blew through a line of trees on the ridge crest. Very cool.