For those who may not be familar with this area, Skate Creek road (USFS #52) is gated at each end in winter at about mile 5 from Packwood and mile 6 from SR706 at the Ashford end. Both gates are heavily used snowparks for snowmobiles. You might have to shovel a parking spot on weekends. One could probably show up early with tow handles and a couple benjamins and save yourselves the eight mile approach up the Butter Creek road (#5270). There is also an uphill mile returning on this spur. Mountain bikes would be an approach option if the snowline was high.
CM's evaluation of the headwater bowls' avy potential is spot on. There are also several large rock slabs with little gorges near the Park boundary that slide frequently.
I'm surprised some enterprising sledhead hasn't started a business shuttling skiers to yurts south of the Park. I suppose the FS would want expensive permits, insurance, etc. There are other options on the south side of the Tatoosh Range if one has access to a snow machine or a neanderthaloid trail breaker. The Johnson Creek road (#5260) in the next valley west crosses several large slide paths before ending at 4400' on the west side of the Butter Creek bowl. Further west along Skate Ck road, one could sled the Horse Creek road (#5230) to about 4400' and ski into the Park near Wahpenayo Pk. One can also ski into this area via the back gate across the river from Longmire, but it's probably easier to just use the first couple miles of the Eagle Peak trail.
Tnanks for the Packwood airport link, Amar!
