North Scatter Creek, Scatter Creek — Sunday, Jun. 15, 2014

Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway

Three hikers and one dog set out to hike the Scatter Creek trail today, but could not, for the life of them, find it. Instead, we did North Scatter Creek, 1328.1. I am happy to report that famously terrible FS 4330 has been scraped and graveled and is a dream to drive compared to last summer. Here are the directions as given above: Go right at the Y to stay on the main road (rather than entering the campground), and continue up the Cle Elum Valley Road (FS 4330) another 9.5 scenic miles through beautiful meadows to the trailhead on the right,just before the concrete-lined vehicle ford at Scatter Creek. Just to note, there are two vehicle fords. The first seems newer (more complete) and is in good shape; we did not see any sign of trail signage for Scatter Creek, so we continued to a sign that said Scatter Creek with a second vehicle ford head ahead. One of our party walked back down the road, but still no sign of the Scatter Creek trailhead. However, on the other side of the second ford there was a very large N. Scatter Creek 1328 trailhead sign, and so we thought that perhaps we should start there. The two of us with maps might have pulled them out, and we would have noticed we were actually starting up the thigh-burning North Scatter Creek trail (1328.1) instead. We figured this out on a break a bit later in the day. No matter. It was great conditioning with some lovely views and an owl hooting above the treeline. Here's what you need to know about the North Scatter Creek Trail: There is much deadfall over the trail and little signage, other than at the Alpine Lakes boundary. The trail has had log out attention in past years, and it needs it again now. If you're going, I'd advise extra attention to the route as hikers move around all the downed trees. It makes a break from all the elevation gain. Up above the treeline the deadfall becomes less of an issue, but lingering snow remains that somewhat obscures the trail. These patches were great for our long-suffering dog, who earned a merit badge in log climbing today. Flowers are blooming: there was white and purple spreading phlox, trillium, and the odd bit of lupine lower on the trail, and avalanche lilies and springbeauty in plenty higher up. We were the only people on the North Scatter Creek trail all day - no signs of cars parked anywhere for the main Scatter Creek Trail 1328. I imagine if we had spent a bit more time probing the underbrush the hike we might have found our way. Another day, perhaps. Scatter Creek itself is the only water source along the North trail, and you walk away from that quickly. Come prepared, particularly as it warms up.