December 30, 2005, Crystal Mountain

Got up to the Chinook lift at about 8:30...there was already a huge line. Things didn't change much throughout the day. Lots of lines, but also lots of new snow!<br><br>Southback and Northback were both closed the whole day for avalanche control work, and with good reason. Powderbowl and Bear Pits both contain large swaths of hard snow left behind from ~10" of wet "powder" sliding. I noticed fractures in the fresh snow layer throughout the day, especially on the steeper runs. By the end of the day the snow was pretty heavy and didn't seem to bond very well to the slope.<br><br>Overall a good day..but crowded.<br><br>nick

Could someone remind me what street I take a left onto off of 169 in order to bypass downtown Enumclaw? I want to say 488th or something similar, but I am not sure.<br>Thanks!

Could someone remind me what street I take a left onto off of 169 in order to bypass downtown Enumclaw? I want to say 488th or something similar, but I am not sure.<br>Thanks!

Why would you every want to bypass downtown Enumclaw!? [numerous ways around it, but the turns off 169 (south-bound) onto SE 416th St or SE 432nd St will both avoid downtown 'claw...]<br>

Thanks!

Actually nsotak they opened South in the afternoon and it was gnar.  They eventually opened short north at 3:25pm but I think that was on Saturday. Still kind of hazy. Sure it was a bit wet than Thursday but deep and untracked.  Did my best not to take too big breaths and choke on wet pow.  You know it's wet when your wiping your face down a chute cause the snow is sticking to your face.<br><br>Did talk to patroller at the top of the King and he mentioned a slide in North where two skiers poached the Paradise Bowl/Spook Hill area and one of them broke their leg as a result.

Actually nsotak they opened South in the afternoon and it was gnar.  

<br><br><br>I sit corrected. After lunch it was time to switch to tele which, as a result, meant I was nowhere near South signage.<br><br>