December 1, 2002, Hart's Pass
12/1/02
3384
4
A Thanksgiving drive over the North Cascades Highway...how rare is that. The dog and I took advantage of the rare dry conditions to reach Hart's Pass by car in early December. With the inversion, the weather was spectacular -- warm and sunny during the day, then crystal cold at night. The road to Hart's Pass is still mostly clear, with the exception of the last mile, which is still drivable in a Subaru 4WD. From Hart's Pass to Slate Peak is too snowy for cars or trucks. It's best not to push on.
There was just enough snow on the northern aspects for some nice runs (perhaps a 6 to 12 inch base). The snow froze nicely during the night, with those slope that were kissed by the sun (NE slope mainly) softening for some perfect corn. The NE slope of Slate Peak was a joy to ski and the views were fine as well.
It looked as though there was some good skiing around Cutthroat Peak or possible Blue Lake area depending on what the sun was doing. The base is definitely better at Washington and Rainy Pass than Hart's Pass.
It looks like North Cascades Pass and Hart's Pass should still be accessible this weekend...
Bill G
There was just enough snow on the northern aspects for some nice runs (perhaps a 6 to 12 inch base). The snow froze nicely during the night, with those slope that were kissed by the sun (NE slope mainly) softening for some perfect corn. The NE slope of Slate Peak was a joy to ski and the views were fine as well.
It looked as though there was some good skiing around Cutthroat Peak or possible Blue Lake area depending on what the sun was doing. The base is definitely better at Washington and Rainy Pass than Hart's Pass.
It looks like North Cascades Pass and Hart's Pass should still be accessible this weekend...
Bill G
goodreport
I skied Harts a few summers ago in some cold drizzil......
always wanted to go back to check the view, did you do the dive in one day?? From where? how many hours? Which aspects were holding best??
Charles W
I skied Harts a few summers ago in some cold drizzil......
always wanted to go back to check the view, did you do the dive in one day?? From where? how many hours? Which aspects were holding best??
Charles W
Charles-
I drove over from Port Townsend on Friday PM, skied on Saturday and Sunday and headed back on Sunday PM. The drive is about 4 to 5 hours to Mazama (from Seattle), Hart's Pass is another 19 miles on dirt. Northern slopes were holding the snow, but only those that got some sun were softening to corn.
The bowl from Slate Peak is not a very long run, but there are plenty of others both North and South of the Pass.
Bill G
Bill G
I drove over from Port Townsend on Friday PM, skied on Saturday and Sunday and headed back on Sunday PM. The drive is about 4 to 5 hours to Mazama (from Seattle), Hart's Pass is another 19 miles on dirt. Northern slopes were holding the snow, but only those that got some sun were softening to corn.
The bowl from Slate Peak is not a very long run, but there are plenty of others both North and South of the Pass.
Bill G
Bill G
It has been reported to me that replying on this thread is not working, so I am just checking. If anyone ever has such problems, please let me know at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Nailed it!
Haven't got a clue why it wouldn't work before.
Nice report, Bill. I've been wondering what conditions were like up there. Thanks.
Haven't got a clue why it wouldn't work before.
Nice report, Bill. I've been wondering what conditions were like up there. Thanks.
Reply to this TR
Please login first: