Scoop Mountain and the Five Sisters
Scoop Mountain is most notable for once having a fire lookout on the summit. The mountain appears to be one of the Five Sisters. Current maps show the Five Sisters to the north but older maps show them to the Southeast. Scoop is close but not the highest of the Five Sisters. The mountain is at the extreme south end of the mountains so the views over the prairies south are quite dramatic.
Scoop Mountain Elevation: 4,004 feet
Hiking Distance: 3.5 miles one-way
Scoop Mountain Elevation Gain: 1,800 feet
Scoop Mountain Prominence: 204 feet
County: Stevens
Access: Good Gravel Road
WillhiteWeb.com
1944 USGS
In 1935, a pole platform tower was built, with a tent camp and phone line. In 1940, the camp was abandoned.
Lookout History
As of 2023, a gated logging road off Scotts Valley Road allowed for foot traffic only. The Scotts Valley Road is a well maintained gravel road that any car can drive.
Access
Use the map I give below but generally, the route is a road walk unless you want to take short cuts. Some of the road at the midway point to Scoop Mountain has been abandoned and wrecked with recent logging. Just keep looking for what should be the roadway and it will reappear. Continuing past Scoop to the 4024 peak and to the Five Sisters Highpoint is an easy traverse in winter with snow or use of roads in summer.
Route
Five Sisters Elevation: 4,046 feet
Five Sisters Hiking Distance: Additional 1.5 miles each way
Five Sisters Elevation Gain: Additional 500 feet
Five Sisters Prominence: 1,606 feet
Left: Stensgar Mountain
Signs at the gate in 2023
Approaching the summit of Scoop Mountain
Road walking in winter
Inversion
Gate off Scotts Valley Road
Looking North from the summit of Scoop Mountain (labels on image below)
Five Sisters highpoint
View SW
From the slopes of Five Sisters, looking at Peak 4024 and then Scoop Mountain. Both with communication towers on top.
Looking North from Five Sisters