June 7, 2002, Sunrise-3 Burroughs Mtn, Rainier
6/7/02
WA Cascades West Slopes South (Mt Rainier)
2509
0
The forecast was for increasing cloudiness, 4000' freezing level, and chance of 2-4" of snow in the afternoon, and it turned out to be a pretty accurate prediction. Rain on the drive up 410, but dry as we drove in the White River Road, and the Rainier rain shadow seemed to be working its magic again as the morning became mostly sunny for us as we climbed up to Sunrise. Excellent coverage on the Sunrise meadows, which the plows had not yet reached, and solidly frozen - 4" walkable crust, with a dusting of new snow above 6500'.
Skied up to Frozen Lake saddle, utilizing strands and patches of the new snow to enable our waxless skis to climb. Hiked to the top of 1st Burroughs (steep, hard snow), then skied down to 1st-2nd saddle and up toward 2nd - had to hike near the top because of firm snowpack when it became steeper. Skied down 2nd Burroughs to 2nd-3rd saddle and the up the 1000' climb to the top of 3rd Burroughs, with clouds drifting about and lots of great views of the Mountain. The snow on the whole route was so fast that we made 3rd Burroughs at 11:30. Very windy on top of 3rd, and lots of clouds and precipitation to the W and N of us. Skied down a few hundred feet from the top of 3rd to have lunch in the sun, but soon 20-minute blizzard #1 began pushing in so we skied back down to the 2nd-3rd saddle in the horizontal graupel, then down very firm slopes into Granite Creek Park (too much hiking to go back over 2nd and 1st Burroughs). Much less windy there, so we had a sun break on a friendly rock until the clouds returned. Skied up to the saddle to Berkeley Park as 20-minute blizzard #2 set in, but it had passed by the time we were ready to drop into Berkeley Park, and we had a great run on nicely softened snow there.
As we climbed up Berkeley Park, heading for Frozen Lake saddle, 20-minute blizzard #3 came roaring in, with heavy snowfall, howling winds and intense drifting snow. This 20-minute blizzard ended up lasting about 4 hours and deposited about 4" of a powdery snow/graupel mix; the winds enabled any runnels and cups to be filled in and covered, so the entire trip back was on a very nice skiing surface. Climbed up the slopes above the Sunrise buildings for a last wintery run in the powder, then made our way back down to the car (2" of new snow on it) as the snow stopped and sunshine and blue sky reappeared. A great, long, isolated tour with relentless spectacular views of Mt. Rainier.
There are some photos from this trip here.
Charles
Skied up to Frozen Lake saddle, utilizing strands and patches of the new snow to enable our waxless skis to climb. Hiked to the top of 1st Burroughs (steep, hard snow), then skied down to 1st-2nd saddle and up toward 2nd - had to hike near the top because of firm snowpack when it became steeper. Skied down 2nd Burroughs to 2nd-3rd saddle and the up the 1000' climb to the top of 3rd Burroughs, with clouds drifting about and lots of great views of the Mountain. The snow on the whole route was so fast that we made 3rd Burroughs at 11:30. Very windy on top of 3rd, and lots of clouds and precipitation to the W and N of us. Skied down a few hundred feet from the top of 3rd to have lunch in the sun, but soon 20-minute blizzard #1 began pushing in so we skied back down to the 2nd-3rd saddle in the horizontal graupel, then down very firm slopes into Granite Creek Park (too much hiking to go back over 2nd and 1st Burroughs). Much less windy there, so we had a sun break on a friendly rock until the clouds returned. Skied up to the saddle to Berkeley Park as 20-minute blizzard #2 set in, but it had passed by the time we were ready to drop into Berkeley Park, and we had a great run on nicely softened snow there.
As we climbed up Berkeley Park, heading for Frozen Lake saddle, 20-minute blizzard #3 came roaring in, with heavy snowfall, howling winds and intense drifting snow. This 20-minute blizzard ended up lasting about 4 hours and deposited about 4" of a powdery snow/graupel mix; the winds enabled any runnels and cups to be filled in and covered, so the entire trip back was on a very nice skiing surface. Climbed up the slopes above the Sunrise buildings for a last wintery run in the powder, then made our way back down to the car (2" of new snow on it) as the snow stopped and sunshine and blue sky reappeared. A great, long, isolated tour with relentless spectacular views of Mt. Rainier.
There are some photos from this trip here.
Charles
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