This week on the Nature Writing Challenge, the quest is an elevation gain that inspires adventure. Thinking about this for a short time, I realized that for me that means the side scramble.
You know when you have been in a green corridor forever or make it to a pass after slogging it up a steep slope and the views are just not as amazing as you had been dreaming of the whole way up as motivation? The side scramble is when you take your adventure up just a notch (or maybe a little bit more than a notch) and find a boot path or off trail route even further up in search of those epic 360 degree views.
Here are some of my favorite examples of side scrambles that paid off…
Devil’s Peak, Oregon
This was along the Pacific Crest Trail in Oregon south of Crater Lake in the Sky Lakes Wilderness. It had been a horrific trek to get here through snow, bugs and more bugs. This was nice enough but I saw a little boot path up to a higher point so I took it.
Round Mountain, Washington
Up off the Mountain Loop and up the North Fork Sauk River Road in the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness, there are some mighty fine hikes. The trek to Round Lake is long, filled with wildflowers and brings you to a viewpoint above the lake that is stunning. But if you take a boot path to the right and up onto a rock outcropping above the lake you get to enjoy this. Excuse my shoes, my feet were toasty…
Stetattle Ridge, Washington
If you have ever hiked Sourdough Ridge in the North Cascades, you know that the 5,000 feet gain in 5 miles is a grind. The view down into the valley, however, is iconic. But if you go off trail a bit up onto Stetattle Ridge, especially during the winter months, you get a whole lot more. And the designs that the wind make on the snow are fascinating!
Tongue Mountain, Washington
Down around Mount St. Helens there is Tongue Mountain in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, short but sweet with views of Mount Rainier. Around a cliff wall, that is. A scramble over on the right, however, gives you 360 views that include Mount Adams and Mount St. Helens as well. You will notice in the video a possibility of another scramble even higher up!
Buckhorn Mountain, Washington
Marmot Pass up the Upper Big Quilcene Trail in the Olympic National Forest is a popular and worthy destination on its own. Buckhorn Mountain sits another mile away on a boot path to the north and it takes the views up to otherworldly.
Snowy Lakes, Washington
Snowy Lakes rest north of Cutthroat Pass in the North Cascades on the Pacific Crest Trail on a side trail. The views at the lake after you set up your camp are beautiful, particularly during the larch madness season. Dinner is best served, in my opinion, up on a scramble above the lakes that allows you to gaze up the valley you walked in on and into the Methow Valley ahead.
You get the idea, right? Leaving the beaten path can mean upping your adventure while out enjoying wilderness and our public lands. Of course, following Leave No Trace Seven Principles is a must (stay off vegetation and delicate terrain) and having your 10 essentials is well, essential. And always remember, epic selfie views are not a great trade off for unstable footing and too close proximity to sheer drop-offs.
Do you do the side scramble? Tell me some of your favorites in the comments below!
This post was written in one hour for the #naturewritingchallenge. Check out Twitter to learn more or see my other posts from the challenge here.
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