[Middle E]

Well, it was not exactly a huge expedition. After the last potential adventurer withdrew late the night before it was down to Matt and me, and Gus (sans the Driver). We headed out Hwy 2 to have a go at Johnson Ridge, Sunrise and Scorpion. The condition of the Becker Rd was far better than one would imagine from the posted road conditions. There was not a speck of snow to be seen on the road for the first 7 miles, and in fact we easily drove spur road 6520 to the switchback at 2000' (about 2 miles from the Beckler Rd) where we parked and headed up. One could drive much further, but that would have provided no advantage. We headed up a bit after 9am. The first 600-700' from the road was steep in places. The best grade is right on the nose of the ridge, but it was difficult to ascertain where that was. Brush and downfall were present but not unbearable. At about 2600' we encountered a cliff band, but skirted to the right until we found a feasible route up and over. From there the grade was much improved. At 3000' we found the road and followed it just below the ridge crest. By now we were on snow and were using snowshoes, although the snow was still fairly firm in the morning coolness.

On the road to Sunrise

At 3400' we left the road to avoid a longish switchback. This saved us distance but not time, as the brush was thick and snowless and we had to take the snowshoes off. At one point I noticed that my watch was missing - apparently the buckle strap had caught on some brush and come off. We spent some time retracing our steps, but to no avail. It was like looking for a needle in a haystack. We rejoined the road and followed it until the end at about 4400', then just traveled the open ridgeline toward Sunrise. It was like being in rain, as a dusting of fresh snow on the trees was melting in the warming sun. Sometimes it was more than rain, as we heard the 'whoompf' of snow bombs and were sometimes showered in snow.

Ridge walk

Entering the Wilderness

Somewhat after noon we reached Sunrise, which is partially open and afforded the first decent views.

Scorpion from Sunrise

Mt. Fernow from Sunrise

Evergreen Mtn. from Sunrise

After a bite to eat we were off to Scorpion, which requires dropping 300' and then a gradual 800' climb to the summit. The ridge walk was more of the same - constant dripping in the trees, but occasionally we were able to find a more open route. We reached Scorpion after 1:30 pm. The summit is wide open, with views in all directions.

Nearing Scorpion summit

Captain's Pt. from Scorpion

Looking north from Scorpion

Glacier Pk. from Scorpion

Ridge from Scorpion (Evergreen Mtn. to right)

Looking toward Mt. Stuart from Scorpion

Matt and Gus

After a leisurely stay on the summit we headed back. Fortunately the rain effect had largely abated. It seemed like a long walk back, but at least it was mostly downhill. We again ran into some steep terrain descending the last few hundred feet to the car, which we reached about 6pm. Matt will have the stats and more pictures.

[Middle E]

Just adding the GPS track that Matt sent along. Red is the up route, yellow the down.

Sunrise/Scorpion GPS Track

[Joey]

Looks like it is not quite flower time.