TR Replies
Gregg and Ryan, congratulations. Seriously amazing accomplishment. Not many trip reports make a person misty eyed, but this one did it to me...
The Monika Traverse!!
The Monika Traverse!!
This is an example of superb cardiovascular stamina! Congrats!!
Killer work guys, great TR. That first picture looks like American Gothic.
Thamks for the nice report/pics and update on the Paradise.
holy cow guys... thats amazing. congrats!
author=airpoppoff link=topic=21401.msg91617#msg91617 date=1310123502]
Our group were all backcountry riders first, not snowmobilers, so we maintain the same goal that everyone does here. Snowmobiles just allow us to open up the doors even further with increased runs and being able to ski areas noones ever skied before. Every time we run into hikers or backcountry adventurists we try to treat them with the upmost respect, and that includes not chopping up the s...
author=Randy link=topic=21401.msg91607#msg91607 date=1310101994]
I believe that the summit's Forest Service special use permit for the nordic center allows them to exclude sleds (and skiers without a trail ticket) from the groomed trails during the nordic center's permit season. As soon as the nordic center closes for the season a fair sized group of snowmobilers hit the Silver peak area -- usually by the time the road has melted out to Windy Pass...
You whack jobs rule. Monika is grinning ear to ear.
Wow, nice work! Sounds like a great (but burly) trip!
Nice -- looks like there's great coverage there still.
author=airpoppoff link=topic=21401.msg91602#msg91602 date=1310097747]
Yes it is. Outside of boyne's permit AKA: when the summit closes
I believe that the summit's Forest Service special use permit for the nordic center allows them to exclude sleds (and skiers without a trail ticket) from the groomed trails during the nordic center's permit season. As soon as the nordic center closes for the season a fair size...
author=ND link=topic=21401.msg91555#msg91555 date=1310018673]
The road has some pretty bad washboard sections that I don't remember being an issue two weeks ago, don't go flying up there. The meadow is pretty much entirely melted out to the big whoops were you can't get a normal vehicle past now.
Those washboards were not there two weeks ago, maybe were caused by so many people going up, and then using brakes a lot drivi...
What a fun line! Nice work you guys. Props to Bird. I'd be terrified in there without a helmet!
author=ski_photomatt link=topic=21401.msg91590#msg91590 date=1310089075]Yes it is. Outside of boyne's permit AKA: when the summit closes
Sorry, I'm a little dense today: airpoppoff can you clarify what the LEO said? Is snowmobiling allowed on Silver Peak or not?
way to go Eric, especially for appreciating the moment. You've had a hell of a season. Looking forward to skiing with you at some point...
permits suck. I'm for the free flow of outdoor recreationist with no boarders.
You can sort of see the white strip of road in the middle of the pic I posted.
author=airpoppoff link=topic=21401.msg91581#msg91581 date=1310077355]
I just got off the phone with him, he said if you need a better map he can help clarify this, his number is ( 425) 888-1421
Sorry, I'm a little dense today: airpoppoff can you clarify what the LEO said? Is snowmobiling allowed on Silver Peak or not?
Man the snowpack looks phat up there. Strong work guys!
Great choice in a line and congrats!
Thanks for the report. Unfortunately I had to turn down an invite for a dusk patrol there for this evening. Your report reminded me that we once used the road approach you wish you'd used as the snowpack was waning, and we only had to walk a little past the car-blocking berm to reach a snow strip that was between one and two feet wide for what must have been at least a quarter mile before reaching better snowpack. But it worked well for both ascent and descent!
pretty sweet to get a bbq and ski in the backcountry on a weeknight!
:thumbsup:
:thumbsup:
author=ND link=topic=21401.msg91580#msg91580 date=1310076919]
I think you missed the first part of my post:
"mainly for the novelty of saying that we rode our snowmobiles in the lower 48 in July"
Of course you can, I've done it more then a few times. I'll be hiking it again next week after work as well :)
To each their own I suppose then. FYI, I did the loop a several weeks ago wi...
author=tomd link=topic=21401.msg91577#msg91577 date=1310074954]I just got off the phone with him, he said if you need a better map he can help clarify this, his number is ( 425) 888-1421
Dear Sirs ,
Any Green Trails Map will show that it is illegal to operate snowmobiles on Silver Peak .
Any questions call U.S.F.S. North Bend District L.E.O. Mac Intosh and am certain that he can help clarify this , ( 425) 888-1421
I think you missed the first part of my post:
"mainly for the novelty of saying that we rode our snowmobiles in the lower 48 in July"
Of course you can, I've done it more then a few times. I'll be hiking it again next week after work as well :)
"mainly for the novelty of saying that we rode our snowmobiles in the lower 48 in July"
author=Chamois link=topic=21401.msg91578#msg91578 date=1310076149]
Seriously - couldn't get in sans snow machine from the road???
Of course you can, I've done it more then a few times. I'll be hiking it again next week after work as well :)
http://www.parks.wa.gov/winter/boundaries/
Silver Peak is well away from any wilderness boundary. During the winter Boyne has the lease to run cross country ski operations on the road out through Windy Pass, which is the only viable snowmobile access to Silver Peak.
The mosquitos were most definitely out in force down in the meadow, but this was late in the evening also. I hiked silver around the 3rd of July in 09 and was eaten alive. The only snow left then was...
Silver Peak is well away from any wilderness boundary. During the winter Boyne has the lease to run cross country ski operations on the road out through Windy Pass, which is the only viable snowmobile access to Silver Peak.
The mosquitos were most definitely out in force down in the meadow, but this was late in the evening also. I hiked silver around the 3rd of July in 09 and was eaten alive. The only snow left then was...
Seriously - couldn't get in sans snow machine from the road???
Dear Sirs ,
Any Green Trails Map will show that it is illegal to operate snowmobiles on Silver Peak .
Any questions call U.S.F.S. North Bend District L.E.O. Mac Intosh and am certain that he can help clarify this , ( 425) 888-1421
Any Green Trails Map will show that it is illegal to operate snowmobiles on Silver Peak .
Any questions call U.S.F.S. North Bend District L.E.O. Mac Intosh and am certain that he can help clarify this , ( 425) 888-1421
I did the SW chutes as a day trip on the 2nd as well, and it sounds like we were not far behind the andyski party. On the way down we skiid to within 3/4 mile of Morrison Creek CG by staying in the Morrison Creek drainage to the W of the road to Cold Springs. From the bottom of SW chutes, we stayed high in a descending traverse, at the round-the-mountain trail elevation until almost Cold Springs, then headed down. We walked across 1-50' patch of rock in the traverse but ot...
Anybody know the elevation at or near where the s.w. chutes route/"trail" touches the round- the- mountain trail?
How about vertical drop from start of chutes?...I was guessing 4k'...
How about vertical drop from start of chutes?...I was guessing 4k'...
The mistake made by both parties was putting themselves in a position to get caught.
If you can't outwit MRNP Rangers then I fear for your life skills.....duh!
If you can't outwit MRNP Rangers then I fear for your life skills.....duh!
author=turchinc link=topic=21382.msg91530#msg91530 date=1309985687]
interesting, this trip report reminds me of another story i heard this weekend, differing in several, very critical, details. let's see if someone else notices:
skiers A, B and C went out to ski and snow camp out of sunrise on the weekend july 2-3. at some point, they party realized a error in their plans: though they were planning on snow camping, summer season had arrived in...
"to live outside the law, you gotta be honest" - Dylan
Interesting - we did Silver the day before (on the 4th) and had no mosquitos, although we hit it in the morning. Still in waay better shape than I'd expect for early July.
author=ND link=topic=21401.msg91555#msg91555 date=1310018673]
Time to get the sleds to the sheds and the hiking boots by the front door. So ends day #2 for month 19 :)
Awesome!!
author=Ranger Rick link=topic=21382.msg91556#msg91556 date=1310022147]
Who are you calling a jerk face, jerk face?
>:(
Dang, those sound like fighting words.
It's as simple as this: Know the park rules, abide by them, and everyone can have a joyful day!
What's the story on the round the mountain trail from the outlet of the Chutes back to the south climg trail? Skinnable still?
author=savegondor link=topic=21382.msg91454#msg91454 date=1309902329]
Jerk faces.
Who are you calling a jerk face, jerk face?
>:(
Did you camp at the end of the road too? Great views. 8)
Wow. Soooo many questions, so many non-sequitors, so many adults dodging personal responsibility. The main players here had their plan, did not really care about wilderness, impacts, wildlife (just how did they store their food??), blah, blah, blah, and sure as heck didn't check about anything as silly as regulations. They got caught. Yikes, spin the story, make the rangers sound like thugs, shaking with anger and rage, completely insane. Portray themselves as...
Nice report! Looks like fun! Coverage on the north side of the mountain looks excellent!
You know, I think we can safely blame Sky for the relative interest in that line. When I first began ski touring (a short 18 months ago), I happened upon Sky's trip report from his Kautz Headwall ski in 2006, wherein he says:
"The Kautz Headwall still strikes me as one of my most memorable, pleasant and exhilirating experiences on skis."
While this seemed an awfully lofty opinion of any objective (personally, I find it hard to pick favorites even among...
"The Kautz Headwall still strikes me as one of my most memorable, pleasant and exhilirating experiences on skis."
While this seemed an awfully lofty opinion of any objective (personally, I find it hard to pick favorites even among...
Yup. You can just make out our path across the bench at the top of the Elliot, and tracks down it in the foreground.
^ Yep. So frustrating too, because it looked soooo good earlier in the season...
author=esvege link=topic=21400.msg91543#msg91543 date=1310006069]
When registering for the climb we told the ranger our intentions of skiing the Wilson HW and the Kautz HW. He said no way...two others just registered to climb and ski the Kautz HW, very rare to have someone want to ski that route.
That was us! But it looks like you milked the better aspect for some nicer snow with the Wilson HW. Nice choice; way to time it.
author=John Morrow link=topic=21383.msg91512#msg91512 date=1309970150]Whoa bro
. . . I let my guard down, stumbled, . . . lost my prescription glasses, my hat, and one croc in the (what seemed an eternity) flail to regain balance in the swift current. Lost the glasses when the boots that were around my neck took on water and pulled my face into the drink.
Few more photos. Bird is without helmet, lost on the climb up Nisqually...