Alpine Scramble - Mount Storm King via North Route

I had attempted Mt Storm King from the west via the Mt Storm King trail in 2011, but we turned around because the route got too sketchy.  I wanted to give it a second attempt, but after reading numerous reports of how difficult it was to go that way, I decided I would give this N Route a try.

Our group of 5 (in 2 cars) took the 7:10am Edmonds to Kingston Ferry.  We met up again at Traylor's Restaurant in Port Angeles before carvanning to where we parked our cars, on the abandoned FS 3050 road.  We started our hike at 9:30am.Soon we get a few glimpses of Lake Sutherland with its fall colors.  It's a beautiful day.FS3050 is bermed about 1/4 mile down.   We cross over the berm and continue making quick time hiking it.  At one point the road splits and we continued on the upper road for about 5 minutes before realizing we should be on the lower.  Soon we're back on track following the overgrown road with some fallen logs.About 2 miles from our cars we take a left on to a spur road.  A piece of pink flagging (as seen in the photo) helps mark the spot.It's more overgrown and we need to brush bash in a few spots.We follow the spur for close to 1/4 mile before leaving it.  We're now just scrambling through the woods where it's not yet very steep.Summitpost.org advises to search for a gully that will become obvious when we're at about 2300'.  We need to find the right gully in order to avoid some cliff bands.  Unfortunately we start up the wrong gully and hit cliff bands.  Time and energy are wasted going up that nasty steep gully for 500-800 feet.   After returning to the "V" where the 2 gullies intersect, we head up the correct one which is a bit easier.  Jason in the correct gully.  Even being very careful, some rocks shoot down the gully.At about 3000', and above the cliff bands, we leave the gully heading west (right) and come to a gorgeous area full of large trees and boulders covered in green moss or lichen.  It's around 2pm now.We continue doing a westerly rising traverse through the standing trees.  As we get higher there seems more fallen trees we need to negotiate.  It is then we see the clouds descending over the tree tops and I become worried if we'll have any views.  Finally, at 3450' we reach the ridge.  We then follow a game path that travels just below the ridge's north side for about half a mile to our first views of Mt Storm King.  It's about 3:30pm.The views of the summit come and go quickly as the clouds move by.  The fun class 3 ridge scrambling begins.  Drop down and then up to the summit.Another photo of the route on the return.On the rock which was pretty solid.Milo on the large summit at about 3:45pm.
Too bad we can't see Lake Crescent or much else due to the clouds.  We sign the register and leave about 15 minutes later.View of the ridge going back.As we head back, I turn around and see Jason waiting for the last 2.  It's my favorite shot of the day.We're back at the road spur by 6:30pm.  Not sure what time we reached our cars, but very lucky to get on the 9:40pm ferry which departed 15 minutes after we arrive at the Kingston Ferry Terminal.    

Long drive and long day, but as usual, a great group of Mountaineers.

Thanks Milo for your photo contribution.