Scatter Lake — Sunday, Aug. 4, 2002

North Cascades > Methow/Sawtooth

Better late than never since it is two weeks later. First, the road closed on 8/5 and if you believe the signs will not open until 8/27; I would check with the Twisp R.S. before trying to drive into the area. My middle (minimal hiking) daughter and I wanted a dry hike on a questionable weekend. Sure enough it rained in the west and central part of the Cascades, but the east was only windy and foggy. The Scatter Lake trail is in good shape. There is a lot of recent construction to improve the trail drainage. This trail starts steep and gets progressively steeper throughout the entire 4.0 miles. It only relents in the last quarter mile just before the lake. There were pleasant wildflowers for most of the hike. In truth, the campsite at the last creek crossing before the lake has many benefits (less climbing, usable firewood, more flowers). Scatter Lake is striking with the scattered Larch trees and vegetation only around the base of the trees within range of needle fall. The Methow Formation rock is varied and chaotic. We found the climb to Abernathy Peak to be relatively easy. Bear to the left toward the lower rounded looking summit and avoid the lower cliffs of the highest looking point (from the lake). Once we waited for an hour for the fog to clear the views were spectacular with Gardner nearby and the Washington Pass spires not too far.