Rain predicted for the West-side, hence drove to the Cle Elum area with prediction of poss showers. Arrived trailhead 2:pm and wasted 1/2 hour looking for an ""obscure trail"" after reading a report stating wrong trail had been taken in this area and the guide book saying the trail was very obscure at first. Wrong! The Scatter Crk trail is Very clearly marked as is the north Scatter Creek trail and there is nothing the least bit obscure the entire route. Starts out unpromisingly in dry, gravely, scruby, forest for a short level stretch and then hits the wall and goes straight up without nary a switch-back revealing its origin as a sheep drive-way. The only level spots are where the trail is furtively seeking a steeper way to go. The trees change, some even becoming interesting. You realize you're getting higher quickly as you already are getting some views back towards Cathedral and Hinman and such. The forest is darker,damper and now seems to level a bit as you begin to traverse to the left, down a bit to cross a branch of Scatter Crk, meet the Countyline Trail, down a bit to cross the main branch and then into a series of very pleasant meadows with views of the rock headwalls ahead. You're halfway there now. The rest of the way is through subalpine trees and meadows. Although the trail is overgrown the way is very clearly marked by carefully placed pink ribbons. If these are removed there still are sufficient cairns marking the route. After about a mile the trail again goes UP. The middle of this ascent is marked by a head meadow with a very good campsite, water and all, to the right. Careful though, if you think the trail goes through the camp it does not. Go back to where you first saw the camp and look straight ahead for the pink ribbons you should be following and you'll be back on the path again. The pass is open with many campsites, (search for snow for water) and good views out to Stuart, Ingall's and Cashmere. Could not find the abandoned trail to Soloman Creek but did not look very hard. Met the only soul on the trip who had ridge-walked from Sprite Lk. Also, was forced to confront an agressive, but reckless mosquito who attempted a futile attack upon me. I.e., the ONLY bug of the trip. Maggie and Katie enjoyed the meadows immensely. Down quickly with only 1 buns-plant (on a not steep section!) (when you get older you worry about those things). I don't understand it that there are no superlatives about this hike and yet it was one of the most soul-satisfying trips I've taken in years. About 2900' in 5.5 hrs. for 9 miles. (That's also surprising as I usually am a slow hiker). Also, plenty of water, some flowers. Hikermike, Maggie, and Wee-Bit-O-Katie.