Sunday, July 25: started from Sheep Lake TH off 410 at 8am, lot was full at 7:40am, and a few cars had to park along the road. Noted some lupine, fireweed, paintbrush along the way, although nowhere as exciting as the display at Paradise. Enjoyed the cool wind at Sourdough gap, good views. Didn't use bug spray; bugs didn't bother as long as you keep moving. Few people on trail in the morning, a lot more in the early afternoon. The trail is fine, albeit at times narrow and cannot accommodate two way traffic (wait for incoming hikers to pass).
Threeway Peak Scramble
If you read ngie's report from Jul 11th, ngie was off route. The way ngie came down (the E arm) was the easiest way up and down. To get there, you should walk past Sourdough Gap, follow PCT past Threeway Peak, and then aim for the gully east of Threeway Peak as outlined in ngie's report. Once at top of the gully, facing the gully, you will need to navigate past the trees to your left.
Mountaineers rates this route as T5 for exposure. While route is mostly class 2/3 scrambling, there is exposure on the summit block. You have to step around an exposed tree on a cliff. There are too many loose handholds. Part of the slope is slippery sandy scree. The scramble section is fairly steep: up 600ft in 1/3 mile.
But I have seen plenty worse. Overall this trip was a very fun scramble. 5 hours car to car.
You will see Rainier once you reach summit.
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