Summary 
| Difficulty | 3 Intermediate |
| Length | 5.2 miles one-way |
| Starting Elevation |
7250 feet |
| Cumulative Elevation Change |
+950, -1050 feet |
| Navigation | Road and map |
| Time | Half day |
| Season | December through April |
| Snowmobiles Use | Low |
| USGS Topo | 7.5' series, Echo Peak, Freel Peak |
| Start | Highway 89, 5.0 miles south of Meyers. There is a turnout on the north side of the road. |
| End | Highway 88, 1.5 miles southwest of Picketts Junction (junction of highways 88 and 89). There is an old gate on the west side of the road. |
Description
This tour converts the Scotts Lake Via Big Meadow tour into a one-way tour to Hope Valley. In doing so the solitude of the tour to Scotts Lake is retained and the tour ends with a wonderful 900-foot descent with lots of room to maneuver. Without a doubt, this is the way to visit Scotts Lake if you have a shuttle vehicle. It also eliminates the need to descend the relatively steep, often heavily worn, section from Big Meadow back to the trailhead.
Regardless of whether you retrace your route or ski one-way to Hope Valley, at Scotts Lake you will find yourself to the south of Waterhouse Peak, Hope Valley is to the east, and the horizon to the east is dominated by Pickett and Hawkins peaks.
Mileage Log
Numbers in parentheses
correspond to mileage points on map
Waypoint 1 to 2
Miles: 0.0 - 0.4
Elevation change: +300, -50 feet
Begin by locating the trailhead on the south side of the highway and 50 yards east (uphill) from where Big Meadow Creek crosses the highway. From the trailhead (1) ski south along the east (left) side of Big Meadow Creek for 0.4 mile until you reach Big Meadow (2). Stay far enough to the left of the creek to avoid the brush.
Waypoint 2 to 3
Miles: 0.4 - 0.8
Elevation change: +50 feet
Ski southeast (left) through the meadow for 0.4 mile until you reach the location where Big Meadow Creek enters the meadow (3).
Waypoint 3 to 4
Miles: 0.8 - 1.4
Elevation change: +250 feet
Enter the woods and ski along the creek for 0.6 mile until you reach another meadow (4).
Waypoint 4 to 5
Miles: 1.4 - 2.7
Elevation change: +300, -50 feet
Locate the road on the far north (left) side of the meadow and ski east and then southeast on the road for a total of 1.3 miles until you reach Scotts Lake (5).
Waypoint 5 to 6
Miles: 2.7 - 4.1
Elevation change: +50, -500 feet
Continue to ski on the road, which passes on the north side of Scotts Lake, for 1.4 miles until you reach a road junction (6). The road becomes steeper as you descend and makes one sharp turn along the way. You may prefer to leave the road and pick your own path east; this way you will have more room to maneuver. Feel free to zigzag down through the fairly open woods where the telemarking terrain is excellent.
Waypoint 6 to 7
Miles: 4.1 - 5.2
Elevation change: -450 feet
If you encounter the road junction, follow the fork that heads east (left) for 1.1 miles until you reach Highway 88 (7). If you have already left the road, continue to descend east until you reach the highway.
