Grotto Mountain East to West Traverse Scramble on 5-Jun-2026

Participants: Sim, Jane, Evan, Pam, Mark, Jenny

The descriptor in one word for today's trip was "unsettled". We started in warm sunshine, all feeling overdressed and I believe "sweating like pigs" was proclaimed. * side note...this is a myth, pigs actually don't sweat.

Once nearing the ridge things got windy and very chilly. We covered the traverse at a quick pace, stopping only for a short snack break as dark clouds were forming, and we already were navigating through snow. Once back to tree line, we enjoyed a longer lunch as blue skies returned and extra layers were again removed, although very light rain returned intermittently. Literally minutes after arriving at our cars, light rain turned to a downpour. Timing really was everything today! On that note, this route took us just over 7.5 hours and I highly recommend it for future Grotto traverses.


Thanks, even more than usual, to Sim for agreeing to unofficially lead this trip so things could go as planned without Jack who had to cancel to be with family. Organizing is easy when your group all pitches in, in their own way.

Thanks to Mark for being relaxed enough to stop and take photos:

The ascent from the Rat's Nest trail is much more scenic and interesting than the usual route, with waterfalls, rock formations, fossils and fun bits of scrambling
The ascent from the Rat's Nest trail is much more scenic and interesting than the usual route, with waterfalls, rock formations, fossils and fun bits of scrambling

A nice viewpoint for a snack break and to enjoy the views
A nice viewpoint for a snack break and to enjoy the views

On the ridge, everyone marching in Sim's footsteps in the snow
On the ridge, everyone marching in Sim's footsteps in the snow

Keeping a quick pace, as possible rain clouds descended on us
Keeping a quick pace, as possible rain clouds descended on us

and...a quick exit off the ridge...
and...a quick exit off the ridge...

<photo 43948

Back on a trail where, soon after, we enjoyed a more relaxed late lunch. The golf courses and sports fields below were very green from all the rain.
Back on a trail where, soon after, we enjoyed a more relaxed late lunch. The golf courses and sports fields below were very green from all the rain.

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