Beta for Volcanobusters

Some chums and I have a few days free next week, and we are talking about options. Can anyone tell me:

-What are the conditions like on the north side of Baker, i.e. Heliotrope Ridge approach/parking/camping, and ski conditions on the Coleman route? What is the trailhead elevation?
-What is the ski approach to Moraine Lake in the Sisters Wilderness like now?
-How many years 'til I can afford to retire?

I'll settle for accurate answers to the first 2 queries.

I can't help you with the first two though I'd love to join you. The answer to the third question is: as soon as you are totally debt free and can live a meager existince. Working sporadically in the industries you love (i.e. bc skiing shops) won't make you a ton of money but will make it alot easier to get the gear you want. I've spent the last 10 years skiing and windsurfing all year long but somehow ended up back in a "career" which restricts my lifestyle. Darn these bad habits (working) always seem to come back to haunt me. Current plan is to pay off the debt so I can get back on the righteous path of living free and working as little as possible.

You can drive up the Glacier Creek road to the snowmobile parking area at about 2700 feet. The road above is snomo groomed to the the trailhead at about 3500 feet. Ski tracks should lead straightforwardly up to Heliotrope Ridge and beyond.