Scrambler Shakedown (or Jackson's Secret Training Exposed)

Last weekend I scoped out the route of the Squamish Scrambler snowshoe run.  What a blast! 

It was sunny and just below zero when I arrived at the Diamond Head trail head.  At last years Scrambler, getting to the start was part of the challenge and I just about lost my new Subaru Forester as it slid toward the edge of a cliff on a patch of ice with me in it.  This year I brought chains, but my passengers bailed just the same as I attacked the final kilometer before the parking lot.

Parking was at a premium but I lucked out and found a space.  This was to be an overnighter at the Elfin Lakes cabin, so with a monster pack on, I couldn't run much.  We soon passed Kevin Thomson, Rochelle Todosichuk, Shari and Neil Phipps, my Rainier climbing buddies as they headed down the mountain.  (Thanks for the invite to the reunion, dudes!)  They reported that 50 people spent the previous night in the cabin we were heading for... bodies on the floor, on the table, bodies everywhere.  Yikes!  So much for solitude in the wilderness.

The 5K trek up to Red Heather Cabin took just over 2 hours.  (Remember... big pack. With no gear during the Scrambler, you should be able to do this in far less time.)  I'd not call this part boring, but it's certainly less inspiring than the next 7K along the ridge line.  Along the ridge we were blessed with glorious sunshine, blue skies and million dollar views of snow covered mountains.  Total time to Elfin Lakes cabin on snowshoes:  5 hours.

I've been to the cabin a few times, but didn't recognize it buried in snow.  I entered from the second floor and was stunned to find the entire place deserted but for the resident pack rat.  (Light brown, big eared fuzzy little guy that looked like a gerbil... cute, but noisier than  honeymooners and a first class thief!)  The place is equipped with a gas stove and gas lamps and was toasty warm.  No northern lights, but a full moon that cast shadows on the snowy mountaintop.

If you have the time, you might want to combine the run with a night in the cabin, either before or after.  Hope to see you at the Scrambler!