Alpine Scramble - Fossil Mountain

Glacier Public Service Center (a.k.a. Glacier Ranger Station), 8:00 am.

After spotting a car at the Excelsior trail head, we will drive two cars to the Church Mt trail head (elevation 2300 feet). We will follow the Church Mountain trail about three and a half miles to where it crosses Deer Horn Creek (elevation 4900 feet). We will then head east through wildflower meadows for about a mile and a half to the summit of Fossil Mountain (elevation about 5720 feet).  We will then continue eastward along the broad ridge crest of wildflower meadows for another two and half miles to Excelsior Pass (elevation 5400 feet), where we will pick up the Excelsior  Pass trail for a four mile steep descent to the stashed car at 1600 feet.  Total distance: eleven and a half miles, about 3500-4000 feet of gain, and 4200-4700 feet of descent.

Because we have not climbed this mountain before, we do not know it's T-rating, but based on what we've seen of nearby peaks, we are anticipating that it will be a T-2.

Because this trip is so far north, priority is given to members who live in Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan, Island, or Snohomish counties.  Please give them time to register. If you live in other counties, please wait until June 7th to register.