Mount Scott

Mount Scott (8,929ft)

At the trailhead with Mt Scott in the background

Highpoint of Crater Lake National Park

Eric Gilbertson, June 14, 2014

I had just finished a trip to Cuba to climb Pico Turquino, the last peak of the North America country highpoints. I flew from Miami back to Seattle on June 15 and had a few days gap before an upcoming expedition to the northwest territories. My friend Ludwig was in Portland for a conference and wanted to climb Mt Hood, so I decided to join. I figured after the climb I could go south and tag the crater lake highpoint, Mt Scott, as well.

After my flight I quickly packed up my ski gear and drove down to Portland. I picked up Ludwig and we slept in the Mt Hood parking lot that night. We got up early and made a quick ascent of Hood, getting back to the car by mid morning.

The summit ridge

I dropped Ludwig back off in Portland and continued south to Crater Lake National Park. I had previously attempted to climb Mt Scott in mid June 2012 after climbing Mt Hood as part of the State Highpointers convention. However, that year was a particularly high snow year and the road around Crater Lake had still been unplowed. I hadn’t given myself enough time to make the longer hike to Mt Scott, so did not climb it.

2015 was a particularly low snow year at most elevations in the Pacific Northwest and all the roads in Crater Lake National Park were open in mid June. I entered from the north, drove around the lake, and reached the Mt Scott trailhead by mid afternoon. There were some patches of snow on the hillside but the trail was all snow free.

I made a quick hike up to the summit in my trail runners, and ate a snack outside the lookout tower admiring the view. I was back down about 1.5 hours later, and continued driving around the lake taking pictures. I drove back north of the park after sunset and found a nice stealth campsite to spend the night. The next morning I made the long drive back to Seattle. I had just enough time to squeeze in a climb of Eldorado Peak with Aaron and Ana before leaving for my northwest territories expedition.

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