TR Replies
Gaper, Great tour plan. Superbowl is certainly a screamer in good corn. We like to tour up to the WyEast Face the last day of resort skiing and cruise down after the lifts close and the area is deserted. I would definitely drive down from Seattle if you plan to drag a pony up to Middle Heather. :) Zap
Could you define "contaminated"? Volcanic ash? Sun effects? (Or, heaven forbid: Henry's bottles, prophylactics, used needles etc. left behind or hurled off the lifts by the lowly knuckledragging tribes?) Is this what you tell the Seattle people to keep them off your snow?
Here is a photo of that area that I took on Saturday.
We went up there after reading John Morrow's excellent report. Taken from south of Long's Pass, I believe Fortune Mountain is on the left and South Ingall's Peak on the right.
Please feel free to let me know if you do not wish me to post photos in your thread.
We went up there after reading John Morrow's excellent report. Taken from south of Long's Pass, I believe Fortune Mountain is on the left and South Ingall's Peak on the right.
Please feel free to let me know if you do not wish me to post photos in your thread.
Welcome Tim! Kudos on the wonderful trip. Lassen is a great mtn!
Here is a photo from May 15. Just South and East of Long's Pass.
This is my first try at posting a picture here. I was hoping to have a picture of Esmerelda but apparently I turned in the wrong roll?
This is my first try at posting a picture here. I was hoping to have a picture of Esmerelda but apparently I turned in the wrong roll?
Cascadian is pretty well all melted out below about 7500'. I was there this weekend and have a picture from Ingalls Creek looking up at it. Email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you want me to send you the pic.
Nice report, Monika.
Here's a shot of Kelvin showing us how it's done:
Several others took pics on the trip and may very well have taken shots that are more deserving of holding the coveted "thread picture" position.
If that's the case, post a better one here and...
Here's a shot of Kelvin showing us how it's done:
Several others took pics on the trip and may very well have taken shots that are more deserving of holding the coveted "thread picture" position.
If that's the case, post a better one here and...
Regarding the E. WA snow comment - it seems to always consolidates quicker out that way thanks to the drier weather. The Teanaway seems to be a good area to work on the April/May cusp while it's a mish-mosh mix closer to the crest (that is, if you like firm corn!).
Nice report - intriguing line when viewed on the map.
Nice report - intriguing line when viewed on the map.
I didn't check the elevation, but we couldn't have been more than 100 vertical feet below Windy Pass - we could have hit it from the car with a well aimed slingshot.
One more note - the lower clearcut was mostly just skiing and not fun for turns (other than a few of the little drops off the various knolls along the way) due a minor maze of small trees and fallen logs, but it did go fast anyhow. The basin is where the fun turning is at this point.
One more note - the lower clearcut was mostly just skiing and not fun for turns (other than a few of the little drops off the various knolls along the way) due a minor maze of small trees and fallen logs, but it did go fast anyhow. The basin is where the fun turning is at this point.
I didn't check the elevation, but it must have been no more than 100 vertical feet below Windy Pass itself - we could have hit it with a decent slingshot aimed from the car.
Thanks also to Nick and Brent for the route, and John for letting us know about it.
I added a photo to Andy's TR (above).
I added a photo to Andy's TR (above).
Casshole, thanks for the idea, I had a blast. Although, I had my doubs while we were booting up the steep muddy dirt.
Joshua
Joshua
How 'bout that Eastern Wa. Snow! Even in spring conditions you can tell the difference!
I second that - I was pleasantly surprised by how nice it was, especially considering the sparseness of the approach. The cloudcover definitely helped (though I assume the later rain did not).
Larry - to add to Chris' comments regarding what he called a "tight spot", in following the drainage below the couloir, we came upon a 5-6' bottleneck area where both bank...
I second that - I was pleasantly surprised by how nice it was, especially considering the sparseness of the approach. The cloudcover definitely helped (though I assume the later rain did not).
Larry - to add to Chris' comments regarding what he called a "tight spot", in following the drainage below the couloir, we came upon a 5-6' bottleneck area where both bank...
Nice report.
I'll get some photos back today of Esmerelda from Saturday. I'll try and post them. We did not see any skiers on that mountain however. The timing should be about right though as we were at the Ingalls TH at the same time. Just as the "rain" started.
How 'bout that Eastern Wa. Snow! Even in spring conditions you can tell the difference!
I'll get some photos back today of Esmerelda from Saturday. I'll try and post them. We did not see any skiers on that mountain however. The timing should be about right though as we were at the Ingalls TH at the same time. Just as the "rain" started.
How 'bout that Eastern Wa. Snow! Even in spring conditions you can tell the difference!
Nice one, Jim.
Do you recall what elevation you parked at?
Do you recall what elevation you parked at?
I have to clarify on my previous statement. It is where Dewey Creek and 123 connect not 410.
Larry-
We skied off the top of the west-most summit, which is "High Esmeralda". Kam will blame his type-o on me anyways :D
Indeed a great ski run, especially on the upper slopes. The gully skiing lower down was actually better than I had expected, withe some fun dwarf-tree skiing (the more shaded east side of the couloir is still holding adequate coverage), but has 1 somewhat sketchy "tight spot" where the snow was a bit thin where we had to cross the stream; other...
We skied off the top of the west-most summit, which is "High Esmeralda". Kam will blame his type-o on me anyways :D
Indeed a great ski run, especially on the upper slopes. The gully skiing lower down was actually better than I had expected, withe some fun dwarf-tree skiing (the more shaded east side of the couloir is still holding adequate coverage), but has 1 somewhat sketchy "tight spot" where the snow was a bit thin where we had to cross the stream; other...
Kam, thanks for the trip report!
I am wondering if you might have skied "High Esmeralda" 6760'+ This peak has a double summit with the west summit being just a bit higher than Point 6765'
To the east of High Esmeralda are the Esmeralda Peaks, the high point being 6411'
At least that's my understanding.
Last week when we were skiing Fortune, the bottom of the run I think you skied looked rather tight. How was it?
Larry
I am wondering if you might have skied "High Esmeralda" 6760'+ This peak has a double summit with the west summit being just a bit higher than Point 6765'
To the east of High Esmeralda are the Esmeralda Peaks, the high point being 6411'
At least that's my understanding.
Last week when we were skiing Fortune, the bottom of the run I think you skied looked rather tight. How was it?
Larry
Thanks to a preview of this report (from Sir Charles), Rob and I headed over Saturday. It's a nice short trip if you don't have time for a full day. 2hrs drive for us to the parking spot, an hour up to skinnable snow, two more to the summit at 1PM, half an hour there watching gray clouds and spitting snow, skipped yoyoing in an effort to get down before the precip arrived, back to the car at 330PM. Conditions were the same as the Friday group found, excellent. Next weekend this route w...
I checked into the snowmobile situation last year and was told that as soon as the ski areas close, the Cold Creek road and areas accessible from it (ie Silver Peak bowl) are open for snowmobiling - and the machines had really been working the bowl.
On the way home yesterday over Snoq Pass the Olallie clearcut looked like it was getting pretty melted out, with just the upper reaches having good looking coverage, but the bowl looked well covered. So, if you are allowed to drive up the Cold...
On the way home yesterday over Snoq Pass the Olallie clearcut looked like it was getting pretty melted out, with just the upper reaches having good looking coverage, but the bowl looked well covered. So, if you are allowed to drive up the Cold...
Thanks guys for the info. Very helpful-If the Park could manage to get Cayuse open earlier the best finish to the before mentioned tour would be - tour from Seymour to the false summit on Naches. From there ski the South slope all the way down to the hairpin where Dewey Creek and 410 meet (2200 vert in .85 miles ;)) avoiding the rock cliffs skiers right. Old timers I know call that run Big Bertha. That exposure has to be hit as soon as the pass opens, but rarely does it open soon enough to ski....
John, I was going to say 'motoring away over the horizon' but that didn't sound right. Funny, but one of my previous jobs involved looking for and eliminating alternate meanings, ambiguities, etc. :-)
Larry
Larry
Joe, we were lucky to have skied after probably the coldest night of last week. So our northfacing slopes were quite good, frozen with less than a 2 inch thaw until mid afternoon. It seems to just need a cold enough night.
We descended down the NW slope of 6567, where I think most people ski. There is not solid snow to the top of 6567 on the SW slope above Dewey Lake. Right now an over the snow entrance to the SW slope is quite a long way down the west ridge. &n...
We descended down the NW slope of 6567, where I think most people ski. There is not solid snow to the top of 6567 on the SW slope above Dewey Lake. Right now an over the snow entrance to the SW slope is quite a long way down the west ridge. &n...
John-Great trip! I was contemplating doing a similar, but opposite appoach to Seymour. Starting south of the hairpin turn where Dewey Creek meets 410. Hike through the woods more directly to the summit (avoiding the waterfall on hikers left) of Seymour and skiing the summit of Seymour's North aspects to Dewey lake and maybe back to Naches and skiing the False Summit chute into Naches Bowl then around through the trees below to Cayuse. This will need a little car shuttle to get back the las...
Still closed as of 5/11 as per the FS road pg:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/conditions/road_conditions_report.shtml
It'd be worth checking to see if the gate's open and cruising up the road to see how far up the snow is. Last year about this time the sledders were playing up there... not sure whether they're supposed to be in there or not.
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/conditions/road_conditions_report.shtml
It'd be worth checking to see if the gate's open and cruising up the road to see how far up the snow is. Last year about this time the sledders were playing up there... not sure whether they're supposed to be in there or not.
We only had to carry a few hundred yards before we were able to put on skis under the Gold Hills chair. We headed past the cabins, into pickhandle basin, up the waterfall, to Pickhandle gap, then to the point.
Yuck - good detail there. Thanks for the report. The early meltout continues to show its effects. I wonder if FR 9070 is clear to Windy Pass (for cheap access to Silver Peak, as you can sometimes drive right to the continuous snow right there) - that might be one of the easiest current plays for Snoqualmie touring right now...
Creek crossings were not a problem. Some logs have been well placed to make the major creek crossing easier. I found it a little difficult staying on the trail. We had to back track a short distance to find the proper route and this crossing.
Charles -
Thanks for the great photo with Third Burroughs teasing us in the distance!. A group of 3 of us were up in Grand Park on Saturday and while the snow in the trees was still firm, it was also covered with quite a layer of moss and branches which always makes for interesting skiing but not much in the way of satisfying turns. The road had turned to mush by the time we skied out. Did you happen to get a photo of the snag that slid down the hill and impaled itself i...
Thanks for the great photo with Third Burroughs teasing us in the distance!. A group of 3 of us were up in Grand Park on Saturday and while the snow in the trees was still firm, it was also covered with quite a layer of moss and branches which always makes for interesting skiing but not much in the way of satisfying turns. The road had turned to mush by the time we skied out. Did you happen to get a photo of the snag that slid down the hill and impaled itself i...
You're killin me! Aren't we lucky to live here?
Nice report.
Nice report.
There's probably still a little bit of snowy road, but not much. Also the woods are melted out.
This was another great trip with John! A few additional thoughts. Take your camera; I shot up two rolls of film. Besides this being a very scenic area, it's great excuse for not me keeping up as John starts motoring away. :-)
South facing slopes are getting rather thin although the west face of Naches still had a fair amount of snow, fairly tracked up however.
The the earlier you can ski, the better.
Just to amuse me at least, John consented to wearing a recording pulse wat...
South facing slopes are getting rather thin although the west face of Naches still had a fair amount of snow, fairly tracked up however.
The the earlier you can ski, the better.
Just to amuse me at least, John consented to wearing a recording pulse wat...
So you had to hike 1 mile along the road up to the trailhead?
Where there just patches of snow to potenially get through with some clearance and 4WD for this weekend or was the snow coverage along the road pretty solid?
thanks!
Where there just patches of snow to potenially get through with some clearance and 4WD for this weekend or was the snow coverage along the road pretty solid?
thanks!
Believe it or not , I still get confused at what couloirs are what. But I think I was looking at the right one. It seems to me to be melting out considerably on the sides with a bit of moating going on down the lengths. It has melted out short of the valley bottom by about 500 vertical feet. If it is the right one, it is still solid snow to where it twists up and right to join the false summit snowfield, just below the false summit. That ought to tell if I am calling the correct couloir the...
Hey gang,
I stumbled across you forum and read this thread....
I would give a special thanks to "Paul Russell" for helping extract the snowmobiler from that crevasse. You had the right equipment for the situation and your willingness to give a hand should be commended. I was up there with you as I was one of the people trying to help. Thank you!!!
Paul- I will agree with you that it was very unorganized but I belive everyone up there had good inte...
I stumbled across you forum and read this thread....
I would give a special thanks to "Paul Russell" for helping extract the snowmobiler from that crevasse. You had the right equipment for the situation and your willingness to give a hand should be commended. I was up there with you as I was one of the people trying to help. Thank you!!!
Paul- I will agree with you that it was very unorganized but I belive everyone up there had good inte...
Sounds like a good trip.
Did you climb up under the gold hills chair past the cabins and into pichandle basin to get to pickhandle gap and point?
And was there skinable snow at the bottom or did you have to carry a ways?
Did you climb up under the gold hills chair past the cabins and into pichandle basin to get to pickhandle gap and point?
And was there skinable snow at the bottom or did you have to carry a ways?
Nice, informative report John as all your trip reports are. Thanks for posting. How did Stuart look? Still enough snow to ski the south side (eg Cascadian Couloir)?
Evan's van rocks!! Usually I'm the one that has to stand on the road with my thumb out to catch the ride while everyone else sort of hides off the road. It would have been a real big surprise to someone this past weekend if suddenly 8 more friends jumped out of the woods to hitch up to the top too. ;D 8)
C'mon guys, we didn't look that bad... in fact we got a ride right away, no problem!!!. 8)
More pics at:
http://groups.msn.com/WildHeartsSkiing/pictures
(Oh, BTW, my conscience is getting the best of me... the ride we got "right away" was in Evan's van which we had spotted on the way up ??? )
More pics at:
http://groups.msn.com/WildHeartsSkiing/pictures
(Oh, BTW, my conscience is getting the best of me... the ride we got "right away" was in Evan's van which we had spotted on the way up ??? )
So should we call that the Harfenist Birthday Contrarian Direct? :)
Thanks for keeping us up to date on your trip, Zap.
We were all wishing we could have been there with you.
We'll be glad to have you back.
We were all wishing we could have been there with you.
We'll be glad to have you back.
I thought those prison guys all had to wear the same uniform. Where are the bags of trash that they collected?
I got a note from Steve Hindman indicating that he skied from the summit of Mt Spickard in April of about 2001. Excellent! If anybody can push the date back farther, let me know...
I see a motley crowd like that by the side of the road, I lock the doors, roll up the windows and hit the accelerator. But I really like your first image, with all the competing diagonals against the fog.
Thanks for the report.
Mark
Thanks for the report.
Mark
I have to thank NickD and BrentH for that approach. I used to go from the summer TH and miss that few extra hundred vertical in the trees on the NW facing rib. Glad you had a good day up there, it's a local favorite of ours.
John
John
Thanks for the report, snowslut.
Very helpful for the Sunday crowd.
Very helpful for the Sunday crowd.
Ron & Darryl: Thanks for the information, I'll make a mental note for next year!