Whitman Crest - Fryingpan glacier

One of my main August ski spots has been the Flett glacier accessed from the Mowich Lake entrance.

Sadly it will be a loooong time before that area becomes easily accessible again though maybe it will give Mowich lake some time to heal. There has been so much car traffic up there do the Insta popularity of Tolmie lookout that the increased dust has negatively affected the water quality of Mowich lake.

In need of a new August spot I considered the Fryingpan Glacier or going up to Muir.  

Started from the Summerland TH a little after 5am. Surprising number of cars heading up to Sunrise but plenty of parking available in the Summerland lot. Trail is pretty wide and mellow going through great mature forest.

The wildflowers were really spectacular on the final switchbacks up into Summerland where I left the trail and started picking my way up the Meany Crest before hitting the toe of the Fryingpan where I started skiing. I used ski crampons though it probably would have been fine without them.

There was some bare ice and open crevasses where the glacier kicks up its angle towards the top of the Whitman Crest but easily avoidable. A final scramble on some pre-Tahoma choss got me to the top of the Whitman crest for some smoky yet impressive views of the Whitman and Cowlitz glaciers.

Ski back down to the Meany Crest was great for August, not too bumpy, not too soft (or icy for that matter). Would definitely ski again. TAY 119