May 20, 2001, Chinook Pass

The snow gods looked kindly on us this day. Must have been because we took one of our flock coming off of the injured reserve list (major surgery) in with us on snowshoes to picnic at the base of one of the finer chutes of the Chinook area and marvel at our good fortune. The rest of us (2) skied silky smooth snow at Chinook until we wore it out and made it slushy. By mid afternoon we headed for the car. As in most areas, there's less snow at Chinook than in years past. The area should still have enough snow for decent skiing, however for a few more weeks. Some smaller slides were noted on the slope above the summit bathrooms east of Yakima Pk and there was a fairly large debris field or two from slides Friday or Saturday on north to northeast aspects on Naches involving the depositions of the previous week. The summit parking at the bathrooms is partially cleared but the bathroom doors are still covered. Tipsoo bathrooms are also still snow covered but there are a couple of sani-cans in front of the Tipsoo parking area (us geriatrics don't consider a trip report complete without a "Head Report").

ron jarvis