Scorpion Mountain via Johnson Ridge — Saturday, May. 5, 2001

Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West

This was supposed to be the year when a May hike feels like a June hike. Instead, this felt like a May hike. Since I couldn't drive to the trailhead (I got as far as about 3000 feet elevation) and there was fresh snow on the trees, it looked like December. The snow was spotty until the trailhead, then solid from there. There was a thin crust on top and I struggled to skate my way on top. Most of the time I failed and trudged through the deep snow. I should have brought snow shoes. Things got much easier once I got into the woods as the snow was firmer under the trees. I made it as far as Sunrise Mountain, 5000 feet (not as far as Scorpion). On the way back I saw a group of people with a dog. The dog managed to stay on top of the snow most of the time. This is a very straight forward early season trip, provided you bring snow shoes or are a dog.