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Winter Scramble - Red Mountain (Salmon La Sac)

Successful winter scramble of Red Mountain via the Salmon La Sac approach, reaching the North Peak due to soft snow, terrain traps, and late-day timing. Warm temperatures, deep unconsolidated snow, and careful route choices defined the day.

Michelle Peterson Michelle Peterson
January 05, 2026
  • Road suitable for all vehicles

    • Access via Salmon La Sac Road required a road walk due to unplowed conditions. Approximately 1.6–2 miles of snow-covered road travel was required each way; snow was soft enough that snowshoes were worn for the road walk.

    • Located the trail sign from the road; travel quickly transitioned to off-trail winter travel.KIMG20260104_094116301.JPG

    • Existing ski tracks were used for roughly half of the ascent, switchbacking conveniently up the ridge. These tracks ended near the second traversing road at ~3,900 ft.

    • Above ~3,900 ft, snow depth increased significantly (approx. 24–40 inches), slopes steepened, and sustained trail breaking with frequent rotation was required.KIMG20260104_01_BURST20260104120905_COVER.JPG

    • Numerous terrain traps were encountered throughout the route, both ascending and descending.

    • Above ~5,000 ft, the group stayed east of the treed ridge to avoid leeward, wind-loaded slopes consistent with NWAC Moderate danger. The snow was well bonded; no signs of instability were observed.

    • Near ~5,600 ft, snow conditions transitioned to harder, wind-affected snow, with cornices visible along the ridge toward the Middle Peak.KIMG20260104_134501809.JPGKIMG20260104_134014647~2.JPG

    • Descent followed a more direct downhill line, still requiring careful terrain management in soft snow and low-light conditions.

  • Date: Sunday, January 4, 2026

  • Outcome: Successful winter scramble; alternate high point reached (Red Mountain North Peak)

Weather & Temps:
Wet snow on arrival. Precipitation tapered off mid-morning, with intermittent cloud lifting in the afternoon providing views of Sasse Ridge, Jolly Mountain, and Little Big Chief Mountain. Late-afternoon alpenglow was visible during descent. Temperatures were very warm for winter travel; layers were shed and added frequently to adjust for warmth, elevation gain, and light winds near the upper ridge.

Avalanche Conditions:
NWAC East Slopes – Central zone reported Moderate avalanche danger. Route choices avoided leeward, wind-loaded slopes. Cornices observed near the ridge toward the Middle Peak informed the decision to stop at the North Peak.

Timeline:

  • Parked / began travel: 8:50 AM

  • Second traversing road (~3,900 ft): ~11:00 AM

  • Assessment stop near ~5,600 ft: 12:50 PM

  • High point reached (North Peak): ~1:45 PM

  • Descent began: 2:15 PM

  • Returned to road: 4:10 PM

  • Returned to vehicles: ~4:40 PM, just as daylight faded

Objective Decision:
From the North Peak, the group assessed the ridge toward the Middle Peak. While technically possible, cornices, terrain traps, and the late hour made continuing an unreasonable option for this scramble. The group took a summit photo, refueled, and descended.KIMG20260104_134447191.JPG

Notable Events:

  • Vehicle became stuck briefly during parking due to soft roadside snow; resolved with group shoveling and repositioning to the shoulder.

  • One snowshoe became caught in talus during descent; group assisted with extraction.

Driving & Access Notes:

  • Bullfrog Road overpass is closed; access required a detour through Cle Elum.

  • Designated shoulder parking available on the east side of Salmon La Sac Road at the turnoff.

  • Serviced porta-potty present at the Sno-Park turnoff.

  • Area primarily accessed by snowmobilers; Sno-Park permit required.