April 4-6, 2008, Scottish Lakes

Went up with Lisa for two nights at Scottish Lakes in the eastern cascades.    Arrived Friday afternoon, and took a quick tour on cross country skis up to Loch Eileen about an 8 mile round trip. On Saturday, Lisa and I went back up to Loch Eileen and then I headed up to Tamarack Peak (climbers left of the three peaks on Chiwaukum ridge above the lakes basin).  Conditions for the ski down were a bit of everything -- wind crust, sun crust, slop and settled powder.  Stability seemed very good.  Skiied a new gulley (to me) at the upper end of Loch Eileen that had a steep entrance and a natural pipe with a bit of each -- one wall sun slop and one wall heavy powder.  After that run, skinned back up to McCue Ridge and had a nice run through old powder through the trees back to the cabins.  On Sunday, took a tour with host Jake and another guest David down the south side of McCue Ridge down toward Chiwaukum Creek.  The sun crust from the day before wasn't softened yet, so it was scratchy but consistent on steep gladed slopes.  We then booted back to the ridge for a quick run down the glades back to the cabins.  Lisa and I repeated the ridge circuit before we had to depart (her on snowshoes and me on skis).  Again had a nice run down the trees, while Lisa had a little bit of an adventure trying to find the exit route out to Wild Bill hill.  I was skinned up for a search party just before she arrived for a final lunch.  Final run was down the clearcuts to the midway place.  Snow was soft but creamy and consistent with some excellent fall line pitches. 

Beautiful place and great hospitality as always.  They mentioned that they have some availability for the final April weekends, for anyone who is looking for a good backcountry hideaway that is easily accessible from the City.  Hope to post some pictures later.