Trip Report

Winter Scramble - (Roughhouse Mtn) Old Pass Hill & Cairn Hill

Although posted as a winter scramble, this could easily be done as an Intermediate snowshoe. Lovely even with very few views.

Susan Shih

December 31, 2019

Date: Mon, Dec 30, 2019
Activity: Winter Scramble - Roughhouse Mountain
Route/Place: Roughhouse Mountain
Activity Type: Scrambling
Trip Result: Successful
Rating:

Road Conditions: Road suitable for all vehicles
Route Conditions:
We set up a car shuttle with 2 cars. There was easy and safe parking at the pullouts off US97, before Blewett Pass.

Trip Report

Although posted as Roughhouse Mtn, our main objectives were Old Pass Hill and Cairn Hill. We never attempted Roughhouse Mtn.

We all arrived at Pioneer Coffee in Cle Elum at 8am. After a break we depart for trailhead #1 where we dropped off the passengers and gear. The 2 drivers dropped off the second car east of trailhead #1 (about 1.5 miles down) and returned promptly. Photo of parking area and TH #1.With snowshoes on, we leave around 9:30am for Old Pass Hill. We soon intersect a service road and take it for about a half mile going north east. From there we turn slightly west and follow a ridgeline up. Sometimes there was enough snow for easy snowshoeing,(not too deep, dry and light.)And sometime there were large bare areas.The winter scenery was beautiful even without the expansive views so many stop often to take photos.At about 4400' we head northeast getting on an open ridge where it's a little chilly..The sun is trying to break through, but only occasionally and unfortunately we only get a few glimpses of the Stuart Range.By 11am we're on our first objective, Old Pass Hill (4885'.) We have a bit of lunch, but don't stay long because it's too chilly.By 11:30am we're continuing east for our second peak, Cairn Hill. Most of the time we're moving downhill on an old logging road. The road is on the north side of the ridge which has more snow than the south side. Glad we're heading downhill when in the deeper snow. About 2.5-3miles (@4250') from Old Pass Hill we leave the old logging road and head northwest. We arrive at the summit of Cairn Hill (4745') at about 1pm. It's breezy and viewless up here so we take some quick photos and depart.Thanks Catrina for this nice summit photo with a better view of the cairn.From here it's all downhill for about 1300' to where the car is parked. A few areas are a little steep, but there are no problems getting down.About half a mile before reaching the car, we're again on a service road.Final group photo taken at 2pm. Our car at the pullout.It's been a chill and easy day with this great group. Thanks to Andy Boos for pointing out Cairn Hill is my 100th peak for this year. I'll always remember this peak now.Cottage Cafe in Cle Elum for a meal before getting back to Seattle by 5:30pm.