On Monday, we had two objectives: first, to escape the valley heat, check, and then to climb up Mt. Scott (8,938'), the highest peak at Crater Lake, check that off, too. This is a new hike for the Monday group.

The day started with a scramble and uncertainties about the weather and conditions. We found drivers and park passes for 12 hikers starting from Ashland, then added three more in Phoenix. Then we were off up Highway 62 to find Randy and Linda in Prospect. They had gone ahead to the Lake, but left info on their route.

A major road project at Crater Lake had closed off our usual South entrance to the Park, so we all had to take 62 straight onto Highway 230 and enter through the North entrance, adding another 30 miles to the route.

Besides that, the weather forecast had changed from sunny to 40% chance of thunderstorms after 11 am. Lightning strikes had caused several small fires in the area, and smoke from the Flat Fire in Bend was present everywhere.

Gary S, one of the walking wounded, decided to try this trail, nine weeks after a partial tear of his Achilles tendon. He made it about a quarter of the way. Good show, Gary!

The rest made it up the switchbacks and the final ridge up to the old fire lookout for lunch at 8,938' with 1,276' of gain. Good show, group!

Smoke from fires obstructed the views but we could still make out Mt. McLoughlin to the west, Mt. Theilsen to the north, Union Peak in the Park, and Wizard Island and Watchman Peak at the Lake.