Scott Paul Trail — Tuesday, Jul. 29, 2025

Road 12 was recently graded and is no problem. Road 13 starts out OK and gradually gets worse and by the final mile or so gets really rough, but passable with care. This trip report will focus on the climbers trail to Crag View (at 6513 feet elevation) in between Easton and Squak Glaciers since the rest of the trail is in such good shape and the bridges are up for the season. When hiking the loop counterclockwise, the climbers trail begins very shortly after reaching the first meadow area with views of Baker (it is pointy from this angle) and Shuksan. This route is easy to follow even though it is a bit grown over in a few places. In more than a few places, it is very steep.  Once reaching the upper meadows, the route becomes vague at times especially climbing the Crag View rocks. I did not bring any snow gear and had to work around a couple of the steep snow banks still on the route. The final 100 feet or so to the end of the line are at times a Class 3 scramble with major exposure in a few places. The setting reminds a lot of the East Portal route at the end of the Ptarmigan Ridge Trail, but is definitely more technical. The views on top were pristine and unforgettable. Coming back down the steep, rocky and talus Crag View was a bigger problem than the ascent. If you want to go all the way to the very top, I would highly recommend starting Scott Paul counterclockwise and you will get to the climbers trail much quicker. Even if you do not go the end, there is a lot of incredible scenery in and around the upper meadows. The pointy aspect of Baker (from the Sherman Peak almost completely concealing the dome-like Grant Peak) is a major highlight of the climbers route. Except for a guided climbing party practicing on one of the big snow banks, I did not see anyone else on the route.