It looks like Harding Mountain is best known for being exactly between The Cradle and Mt Stuart. Note to self: remember to take a picture of the objective. Oh well, Klenke can always use the extra hits. Here's a 3d image created by TOPO!.

Beckey says "Located in the diverging angle of Meadow and Jack Creeks at 2.5 miles north of Van Epps (Scatter Cr) Pass, it is gentlest on the SE."

We climbed it from the SW, and it turned out to be a nice second class scramble.

Getting There

The following driving instructions are from the Seattle PI "Hike of the Week." From Seattle take Interstate 90 east and turn off at Exit 80 (Roslyn). Turn left and continue about three miles on the Roslyn cutoff road to state Route 903. Turn left and continue about a mile to Roslyn. Go through town and follow the road as it turns left and proceeds to the small town of Ronald. The road becomes Salmon la Sac Road. At the Salmon la Sac guard station (about 15 miles from Roslyn), turn right onto Road No. 4330 and continue about nine miles to the trailhead (trail is on the right), elevation 3,320 feet. The trail begins near the concrete ford of a creek that runs underground during the summer. Just a short distance beyond is another concrete ford with water running over the concrete. If you come to the second ford, you've driven too far.

Scatter Creek - SW Ridge Route

Follow the trail about 1300' vertical until an obvious trail junction. Turn left and cross Scatter Cr in about 1/4 mi. Follow blazed trees, flagging, and cairns as the trail makes its way through pretty, damp meadows. We lost the trail a couple of times. If you're off the trail as the meadow narrows, head right until intersecting the trail. We lost the trail again ascending toward Scatter Cr (Van Epps) Pass and did a minor bush whack to the pass, 6200'. On the return trip, we stayed on the trail, and it's in good shape. You get a nice view of Stuart from the pass.

Looking east from Scatter Creek Pass

From the pass, follow the Solomon Creek trail down to around 5500'. We found water there, and it saved us the effort of descending further. Head north through light brush to a talus field. Contour around and choose your route. We scrambled to the left of the gulley leading up to the SW ridge saddle, and moved into the gulley about halfway up. The gulley is pretty steep and loose.

Looking north from SW ridge saddle

Follow the SW ridge to the summit, climbing over or around a false summit.

Alternatively, it looked like you could head straight for the summit from the rock basin.

15 mi RT, 5400', 12 hr car to car

Red Tape

A Northwest trail pass is required.

Camping

We camped a little ways past the trail head, at a campground on the left side of the road.

External Links

Seattle PI Hike of the Week

Images