TR Replies
Thanks for the details Charlie - useful. Odd year so far - where is La Nina?
Thanks for that foto and snow conditions.
Out of White Pass on the 19th skied 4" of soft pow on top of a crust that was consolidating nicely to the subsurface snow which was consistent several feet down. skied at 7000ft down to about 5000. meadows between the trees were the best with their wind protection and the trees themselves were a bit harder to handle due to more crustiness.
Out of White Pass on the 19th skied 4" of soft pow on top of a crust that was consolidating nicely to the subsurface snow which was consistent several feet down. skied at 7000ft down to about 5000. meadows between the trees were the best with their wind protection and the trees themselves were a bit harder to handle due to more crustiness.
Yep. Tree skiing sub par. Creekbeds not filled in below 4000'. Weather too warm. Thanks for the details I could not have expressed so clearly.
Was the road actually posted that you need a snopark permit? I went up there some time in December and also parked at the berm a mile or two from the trailhead (pretty crazy it's still there, or maybe even moved higher), grooming had started and it said no wheeled vehicles, but there were zero signs anywhere saying I needed a snopark permit to park. FS website said I'd need one, but with no signs it seems unenforceable.
I needed a long lonely walk in the woods, and found what I was looking for. I don't know for how long the quiet places will remain quiet, but if you're clever or lucky enough to stumble upon a quiet place, please consider that quiet places are valuable precisely because they're quiet.
Snow: Not sure I found as much as 20" ski-pen, but there was lots of fluff above the crust. Seemed like the morning's snow came in warmer than that which fell overnight, ma...
Snow: Not sure I found as much as 20" ski-pen, but there was lots of fluff above the crust. Seemed like the morning's snow came in warmer than that which fell overnight, ma...
author=flowing alpy link=topic=39465.msg159073#msg159073 date=1515816572]
so just be warned, snowshoeing is going to overrun
the source lake dog park trail within the next 3 years.
someday they may enforce their own parking rules
When the Summit renewed their special use permit and updated their master plan a few years ago the new plan expanded parking at Central considerably, but not at Alpental-- missed opportu...
You probably parked behinds us on Friday. We were in the first row and noticed 2 backcountry skiers walk up the steps with their backs. You moved quickly. Good to read your TR and photos. ;)
I might have, Zap. I was so excited to get on the chair I've not got a clear memory of the cars around me. I was pretty close to the front yesterday, like second row. I was pretty close to the back of the lower lot today. Lots of people!
Did we cross paths?
Did we cross paths?
Mike, did you park behind a white van in the Mission parking lot?
Encouraging to know that the there is still an uphill policy and it is generally acknowledged and accepted with limits. Hopefully, more ski areas will embrace the same.
I have to admit, I haven't toured up the "North" side of the drainage to Source Lake in years. I tour up the outfall of the Alpental BC areas and stick to the right. Most skiers clearly do the same, but all generally seem to also be pretty sensible and stick to the side. However, the co...
I have to admit, I haven't toured up the "North" side of the drainage to Source Lake in years. I tour up the outfall of the Alpental BC areas and stick to the right. Most skiers clearly do the same, but all generally seem to also be pretty sensible and stick to the side. However, the co...
Well, didn't you get an amazing treat! I agree that it was good work on the part of their plowing team.
Did they work extra hours knowing it was their last paid day for a bit? ::)
Here's a fun scenario:
-The shutdown lasts through Sunday, so nobody rides the Ridge this weekend or next week;
-it snows most of next week as forecast;
-the gub'mint gets running in time to plow the road for Friday the 26th;
-a few lucky fol...
Did they work extra hours knowing it was their last paid day for a bit? ::)
Here's a fun scenario:
-The shutdown lasts through Sunday, so nobody rides the Ridge this weekend or next week;
-it snows most of next week as forecast;
-the gub'mint gets running in time to plow the road for Friday the 26th;
-a few lucky fol...
Good snow with crap visibility and vice versa. What else could you ask for!? :D
The little bit of fracturing was up near that 5200 high point - just the top inch or maybe two cracking in a very short radius spiderweb from my skis - maybe two feet out max. Was near a ridge. Below that I saw shallow surface sluffing but no cracking.
The little bit of fracturing was up near that 5200 high point - just the top inch or maybe two cracking in a very short radius spiderweb from my skis - maybe two feet out max. Was near a ridge. Below that I saw shallow surface sluffing but no cracking.
author=ShailCaesar! link=topic=39506.msg159238#msg159238 date=1516297405]
Excellent TR thanks! A winter summit of Baker with bluebird is a thing to behold. About that snopark issue, are you good if you have a National Park pass/Forest Pass? Or do you need a specific snopark pass in the winter no matter what?
A forest pass doesn't count for a snopark. Â
From my understanding you can get either a motorized or...
Snopark is the only thing that covers snopark parking.
I've paid the price at Red Mountain on Salmon La Sac road....
I've paid the price at Red Mountain on Salmon La Sac road....
Excellent TR thanks! A winter summit of Baker with bluebird is a thing to behold. About that snopark issue, are you good if you have a National Park pass/Forest Pass? Or do you need a specific snopark pass in the winter no matter what?
author=mikerolfs link=topic=39506.msg159173#msg159173 date=1516074817]
but it was beautiful.
Oh yes, it was :) Wonderful alpenglow on Saturday evening, and sunshine on Sunday.
author=Jason4 link=topic=39506.msg159218#msg159218 date=1516214083]
I wanted to emphasize this bit, it's tempting to drive past the snow berm that indicates where the groomed trail starts but don't. It'...
Fantastic! What a trip. I'm inspired to get farther from the house than I have been all winter. Thanks for the great pics too. What a beauty with the wispy clouds below.
Oh! We didn't find your tracks until a little ways down, and assumed we were just off route. Glad to know the fuller story. We were amazed at how clean the track was going down, thinking - these people must be terrific skiers to stay in their skin track on the descent!
Anyway, I was hoping to get some views of the north side of dragontail as well, but it was all clouded in below about 7,500', so no views of Triple Couloirs or Gerber Sink, in case those are what you were loo...
Anyway, I was hoping to get some views of the north side of dragontail as well, but it was all clouded in below about 7,500', so no views of Triple Couloirs or Gerber Sink, in case those are what you were loo...
author=Hubert link=topic=39506.msg159172#msg159172 date=1516072966]
Road is closed 1 mile from the trailhead (sno park permit needed);
I wanted to emphasize this bit, it's tempting to drive past the snow berm that indicates where the groomed trail starts but don't. It's also mandatory to have a snopark permit even if you don't have a sled. They have stepped up enforcement a lot this year. I wa...
Those were our tracks up to Colchuck Lake. As you probably noticed we didn't quite make it to the lake as we hit our hard turn-around-time. We must have been close. We descended our skin track, which was quite terrifying at times. Glad you made it out safe. Any pictures of Dragontail Peak? Our whole plan was to skin up to get Beta for an mixed ice/rock climb of Dragontail in a month. Any information would be helpful. Thanks.
Thanks for the post. Beautiful picture of Prussik Peak. All things considered, you found safe enough conditions, blue sky's, and enough snow everywhere. At those elevations, this time of year...you nailed it!
Welcome to TAY -- thanks for sharing the adventure.
author=iluka link=topic=39448.msg159197#msg159197 date=1516149134]
No helmets?
My grandmother used to assure me when I went out I was safe because I was "covered with prayer." I'm guessing the same goes for the sisters
author=Lowell_Skoog link=topic=39498.msg159165#msg159165 date=1516065304]
So it's not always like that? Good to know!
A friend and I were among the hordes. We used XC skis on the road then hiked the final slopes on foot. Such a beautiful day. Our first time up Hurricane Hill.
Yea Lowell, it's like that all the time. :)
It looks like they're not exclusively skiers, either ;D
Thanks for the informative first post
Well Lowell, if a guru like you just did it now, it must not be that classic 8)
Next time I'll bet you take some turning skis and skins for the bowl or the N side.
Next time I'll bet you take some turning skis and skins for the bowl or the N side.
but it was beautiful.
Great pics! Thanks for sharing.
Great pics! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the report. Great pic of Stuart.
Nice pics. I love the last one.
So it's not always like that? Good to know!
A friend and I were among the hordes. We used XC skis on the road then hiked the final slopes on foot. Such a beautiful day. Our first time up Hurricane Hill.
A friend and I were among the hordes. We used XC skis on the road then hiked the final slopes on foot. Such a beautiful day. Our first time up Hurricane Hill.
Looks great! Happy for the base!
We found great skiing by going out along Mazama Ridge and up on the Paradise Glacier. Firm, smooth, carveable surface above 8,300 ft. The lower 1000 ft was perfect soft snow on a firm base that skied well late into the afternoon due to the low angle sun and light winds which kept the temperatures down.
The ski down from Mazama Ridge back to the road at the end of the day was another story...
The ski down from Mazama Ridge back to the road at the end of the day was another story...
Was up on Mazama Ridge yesterday. Super firm crust mostly, but annoyingly breakable is sunnier spots. Dug a hole just south of Mazama Bowl and lost count of the number of, lets call them "imperial stout", crusts. The surface gleamed beautifully in the sun. Depending on how the next cycle starts it could be good or good for sliding. Cruised up from there to Golden Gate. Mazama Bowl looked kinda okayish but sounded awful. Not much in the way of tracks until we got to GG. Plenty of unskie...
Looks pretty nice...great photos too...thanks!
Beautiful day up there today! If anyone is heading up tomorrow, my friend lost her phone just NE of Pan Point. Specific coordinates from find-my-phone are:
46°48' 17.48" N
121°43' 37.49" W
If you happen to find it - please DM me. Thanks!
46°48' 17.48" N
121°43' 37.49" W
If you happen to find it - please DM me. Thanks!
Guess we overlapped, Jan and I came up on the afternoon shuttle on the 6th and stayed until the 8th. This was our first trip to the High Camp.
We enjoyed all of the laughter from the kids sledding around the huts. We also found the camp hosts to be enthusiastic and helpful.
On the 7th we toured out to Lk. Julius and then broke trail up the boundary trail to McClure Ridge before returning to camp. The breakable crust made for character building skiing. We did enjoy seeing an...
We enjoyed all of the laughter from the kids sledding around the huts. We also found the camp hosts to be enthusiastic and helpful.
On the 7th we toured out to Lk. Julius and then broke trail up the boundary trail to McClure Ridge before returning to camp. The breakable crust made for character building skiing. We did enjoy seeing an...
Sometimes a "good day" is one where you don't get killed or injured by a tree bomb!
By now Silas should know that a bad day of skiing is better than a good day of working...
You, most likely, ended-up following the skin track of the lady I saw skinning up the road on my way out @ 830 in the morning..shen I stopped to ask why she was doing that when the highway was closed and the lift-served would be banging she shrugged and said the roads were too snowy to be driving ???
so just be warned, snowshoeing is going to overrun
the source lake dog park trail within the next 3 years.
someday they may enforce their own parking rules
the source lake dog park trail within the next 3 years.
someday they may enforce their own parking rules
On the other hand, Scott reported "Mt. Catherine
Great day in the hood"
Great day in the hood"
Ah, Cascadia. Way to put your head down (with your hood up?)... And become one with the trees.
Agreed with others, please do not break these clearly stated rules. We've seen what happens when there are frequent violaters (new crystal policy).
It is perfectly possible if not common to ski to source lake from the ski area. Within a couple hundred feet anyways - most skiers will turn back east a little sooner to reduce the flat traversing.
It is perfectly possible if not common to ski to source lake from the ski area. Within a couple hundred feet anyways - most skiers will turn back east a little sooner to reduce the flat traversing.
author=ErikT link=topic=39465.msg159030#msg159030 date=1515695416]
Has the requirement always been to tour all the way to Source lake before climbing? Without being... um... specific... I haven't always done that... I'll say that I've climbed only once past the point where all direct resort downhill traffic is no longer possible.
According to page 70 of that document it looks like Draft dodger ridge to the mushroom...