Cascadian Volcano Raid part 6 0f 9 Mt Scott triple shot
Mount Scott is a small stratovolcano on the southeast side of Crater Lake. The summit is the highest point in Crater Lake National Park with a summit elevation of 8,850 feet. While it is not as well known as most other peaks in the Oregon Cascades it is the 10th highest mountain. With its relative short distance away from Mount Mazama it was able to survive the massive eruption and collapse 7,700 years ago. While there are trees all the way to the summit there are numerous aspects that have open slopes. The northeast and southeast slopes offer around 2,500 feet of vertical while the west side is just over 1000 feet. It is named after Levi Scott who was a pioneer of the Oregon Cascades.
After a long day ski touring on Yamsay Mountain we decided to camp at Diamond Lake parking lot. Waking up with the sunrise we watched the early morning alpenglow over Mount Bailey before getting moving. It was a calm and clear day as we got our gear ready. Looking at the maps we decided to spend our day ski touring at Mount Scott. It would be a long day but we knew it would be a scenic day being less then a mile from Crater Lake.
Driving down Highway 97 we took a quick detour out to Klamath Marsh to check out Mount Scott. Looking at the Eastern Faces there were two separate bowls with a thick snowpack. Instead of heading up to the Crater Rim we decided to approach the area via the east side. This would allow us to ski all the way to the valley and have a more direct approach.
Ski Touring up the East Side of Mount Scott
Driving up Forest Road 2308 we were able to drive within 3 and a half miles of Mount Scott. Before long we found a spot to park with snowpack all the way from the base. Putting on our packs we started skinning immediately. With loosely spaced trees we had a clear view of Mount Scott to the west.
Before long we were making our way up the east ridge of Mount Scott. With the slopes being a mellow ramp we were able to skin up the semi firm slopes. Looking at the northeast bowl it would be our final descent back to the car at the end of the day.
Looking to the North we could see Mount Thielsen in the distance. We had started the day off the western side before diving towards Mount Scott. In the far distance we could barely make out Three Sisters Wilderness rising above the flattish terrain of the Oregon Cascades.
Before long we were climbing the final slopes to the Mount Scott Lookout Tower. While it had taken us around 2 hours to climb to the top we were able to skin the entire way. Soon we would be making our way up to the Mount Mazama complex and stare into the deep blue of Crater Lake.
Arriving on the Summit of Mount Scott
Soon enough we were standing on the summit of Mount Scott and taking in the views of the vast landscape. To the south we could see Mount McLoughlin rising thousands of feet above the surrounding peaks. Being located in the southeast Cascades it was one of the better views in all of Oregon.
The closest volcano to the north was Mount Thielsen which I had rode in February. Though it was late May it was still covered in snow from top to bottom. You could see the dramatic erosion of the east side compared to the west slopes which were wide open.
Further to the north you could see the vast landscape of Three Sisters Wilderness. On the left hand side the South Sister rose above the surrounding peaks. In the middle we could barely see the summit of Broken Top. On the right hand side was Mount Bachelor Ski Resort.
To the west was the crown jewel of views in all of Oregon. We had a close view of Crater Lake and the Mount Mazama landscape. Being late May the Crater Rim Road was still not plowed out so it was a better call to head in from the east.
Zooming in we took in the view of Wizard Island which is a volcanic cone sticking out of the lake. Behind it was the Watchmen to the left and Mount Hilman to the Right. We had rode this area a few days prior and while they were short runs riding to the west they had some fun slopes.
Snowboarding Down the Southeast Bowl
After checking out the views off the summit of Mount Scott it was time to get our first run. Looking down the southeast slopes we decided that it would have the best conditions. The sun had been warming up the snow for hours and it was still before noon. Dropping into the huge avalanche swath we decided to descent down to the thinned out trees. The upper slopes were decently steep before heading into lower angled terrain below.
It had been a great run as we arrived in the low angled trees and transitioned. After resting for a few minutes it was time to climb back up to the summit of Mount Scott. We followed our tracks through the trees before making our way back up to the steeper slopes above.
Though the terrain was steep it was soft conditions as we made our way back up. If it had been firm we would have had to crampon but this wasn’t the case. Instead of doing a low angled traverse we made a straightforward skin track all the way back up to the summit of Mount Scott.
Back on the ridge our attention was focused on the west slopes of Mount Scott. While the summit proper was melted our we were able to ridge continuous snow from a little bit lower. We would have to go around rocks for the first 100 feet but below that it would be wide open terrain.
Riding the West Bowl of Mount Scott
We had viewed this bowl while ski touring on Mount Mazama and knew we would have to check it out. There were numerous steep lines off the ridge and being west facing it would be better in the afternoon. Our run was off the middle of the ridge dropping all the way to the flats below.
Dropping in we made our way through the steep upper rocks. Though it looked nasty from a distance it was easy to find a way through and before long we were through the crux.
Once past the rocks it was wide open all the way to the flats below. This was one of the more scenic runs on our road trip as Crater Lake was the backdrop. We had timed our descent perfectly as the firm slopes had just started softening up.
Riding into the flats it was time for our final climb of the day.We would be heading back up to the summit of Mount Scott for the third time that day.
Though the terrain had been perfect for snowboarding it was still a bit firm. Instead of skinning up we switched over to cramponing and slowly made our way back up. Working with the terrain we switch backed up the west bowl with our gear on our packs.
Soon enough we were back on the ridge of Mount Scott and walking back towards the Lookout Tower. We had already had two great runs and soon would be doing the final descent of the day.
Our Final Descent of the Northeast Bowl of Mount Scott to the Car
Once at the lookout tower we quickly transitioned for our last run all the way down to the car. We were just in time as the slopes were starting to get in the shade. It was actually a good thing that the slopes were starting to firm up again making perfect skiing conditions.
It would be well over 3,000 feet with only the upper half being wide open. Before long we would be making our way through low angled forest connecting snow patches all the way to the car. Milking our turns we made the most out of the upper slopes with the Eastern landscape in the distance.
Once in the forest the slopes were so low angled that it was impossible to snowboard anymore. After a quick transition I switched to skiing for the final bit of the descent. Making our way between the dirt patches we were able to ski all the way back to the car.
Finally we were back at the car and putting our wet gear in the back. It was time to start heading back north towards Washington but would break it down into two separate trips. With a good forecast we decided to do an overnight trip in Three Sisters Wilderness before heading up to Mount Rainier.
It had been a perfect day ski touring on Mount Scott on 3 different aspects. In total we had descended over 6,000 feet over 9 miles and rode all the way back to the car. I didn’t know what to expect for the day as we left the car but it was one of the better days of our road trip. It you are looking for some great and scenic ski tours in Oregon I highly recommend Mount Scott.