Trip Report
Alpine Scramble - Burnt Park Traverse
A gorgeous early summer scramble with acres of meadow roaming when other venues are still snow covered. The flowers were just getting started on this 4000’ gain/10 mile traverse [Lead photo by Jesse Bengtsson].
Dave Morgan
- Sat, Jun 29, 2024
- Alpine Scramble - Burnt Park Loop
- Huckleberry Creek
- Scrambling
- Successful
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- Road suitable for all vehicles
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Perfect conditions, partially cloudy for comfy temperatures plus a light rain conveniently delayed until just before we returned to the cars. Did not use our micro-spikes as the snow is essentially all gone. As there is no toilet at the trailhead, a vault toilet (just after crossing the White River bridge on the north side of the road) makes for a convenient stop on the drive in.
After a relatively short drive from the lowlands we were soon hiking the Huckleberry Creek Trail. The park service has greatly improved this trail’s initial swampy section with a higher/dryer segment. That said, the winter storms have not been kind with a number of old growth giants toppled across the trail. In spite of these delays we departed the trail near 46.97588°N 121.63551°W and after a bit of brush down low were soon on Burnt Park’s western summit (Point 6327).
By Jesse Bengtsson
After a leisurely lunch we enjoyed flowers and snow free meadows on our circumnavigation of Burnt Park.
By Jesse Bengtsson
Along the way it was worth taking note of the NW ridge of The Palisades, an important feature for parties considering a longer traverse (described here and here).
From Burnt Park’s eastern summit (Point 6358) you can see the inviting snow-free meadows of Grand Park, yet lots of snow still present near Sunrise.
By Jesse Bengtsson
On descent we traversed just under the cliffs north of Point 5836 (the west side of the ridge near 5600’) which seemed to have less brush bashing than a lower route.
A great day in the mountains with lots of variety and perfect conditions. A total trip time of 9 hours, with 3.5 hours on the ascent to Burnt Park’s western summit, an hour to the eastern summit, and a 3.5 hour descent (including a number of lengthy breaks). Photos from this trip (and others) can be seen here and here.