January 2, 2011, Silver Star GPNF

Set out for Silver Star Mountain (outside of Yacolt) on Sunday, hopeful that the recent low snow level and cold temps would provide the coverage needed to ski this local gem. We came in from the north side and were able to drive to within a couple of miles of the summer trailhead, a high clearance rig with chains could probably make it the whole way. Though there was snow at a lower elevation than when we went last April, the pack was much thinner and there were large, omnious bare patches at the summer trailhead, which was two feet deep back in April.

Still, having come that far, we decided to head up to the top and see if we could find enough coverage to get some turns. Probably would have been good a couple of days before, but by the time we got on the snow, the relentless gorge winds had stripped the pack down to boilerplate ice anywhere exposed. Extensive prospecting did turn up a few stashes of powder in the trees, but for the most part we leaned harder on the "touring" half of "ski touring". There is some great terrain to ski here, especially in the Washougal River headwaters basin, but it will take another foot or two of snow and a couple more hours of daylight to be able to really tear it up. I am, however, remaining hopeful that the La Nina winter will deliver the low-elevation goods, so stay tuned for more from Silver Star...