Lift assisted BC/XC Cascade Mini "Tour"

[wooley12]

When it's noon and the mountains say snow and the wife says "Go" you go. Even if the Avy warning is at moderate and you have to go solo. Got to the "trail head" at 1 when spaces start opening in the parking lot. 20 feet of human powered vert got me up another 1200.

50 feet of vertical using my level 9 harring bone skilz gets me to the top.

Then it's all downhill. Past the warming shack, ammo dump and about a mile back to the bar.

4 inches of fresh powder on a firm 10 foot base. Except for the snow bridges over the creek. EEK!! And me being solo. I met a snowboarder a little further on who had back tracked after sliding in the trees and losing his partner. Tree well danger is a real deal. We skied to down the shack and had a text from his partner.

Looking back up to the warming shack. I met the nordic ski patrol doing a sweep and we chatted about the quality of snow and of life and about a mutual friend who had been a patroller and alpine ski guide and wonderful human being who's life was too short. We agreed to dedicate our last run of the day to his memory.

[Woodserson]

Quality! Where is this network? Is is the one behind Summit?

[wooley12]

Yes. Lift access via Silver Fir or Summit East.

[Jack]

Its nice to see our trails mentioned on TT. If you get up to the Nordic area at Summit At Snoqualamie, especially on a Saturday, ask for me (jack) and say hi. I patrol those Nordic trails all winter.

The trails are nice, well groomed for both classic (track) and skate. The Nordic trails are at the top (~4,000 ft.) so the snow is usually nice. We often have 8+ feet still on the ground around 1 April. There are a lot of loops and trails at the top and the Mt. Catherine loop, once we get it open, is a nice 10 mile loop. Mt. Catherine is nicest, in my mind, starting at the top, by the Grand Junction warming hut and working your way down to the bottom of East (Hyak). Beautiful trail.

jack

[Woodserson]

Its nice to see our trails mentioned on TT. If you get up to the Nordic area at Summit At Snoqualamie, especially on a Saturday, ask for me (jack) and say hi. I patrol those Nordic trails all winter.

The trails are nice, well groomed for both classic (track) and skate. The Nordic trails are at the top (~4,000 ft.) so the snow is usually nice. We often have 8+ feet still on the ground around 1 April. There are a lot of loops and trails at the top and the Mt. Catherine loop, once we get it open, is a nice 10 mile loop. Mt. Catherine is nicest, in my mind, starting at the top, by the Grand Junction warming hut and working your way down to the bottom of East (Hyak). Beautiful trail.

jack

Jack,

I used to ski up at Snoqualamie years ago when I lived in Seattle... what are your thoughts on classic wax/non-wax up there on the trail system? Let's say I return for a visit, but only want to bring one pair of skis, would you recommend a wax ski, or is it too variable and I should hedge my bets with a waxless?

[wooley12]

Just got my $79 Geezer Season Pass. Will do. Weekends are for Nordic.

[MalouMattsson]

When it's noon and the mountains say snow and the wife says "Go" you go. Even if the Avy warning is at moderate and you have to go solo. Got to the "trail head" at 1 when spaces start opening in the parking lot. 20 feet of human powered vert got me up another 1200.
lift.JPG

50 feet of vertical using my level 9 harring bone skilz gets me to the top.
50ftVert.JPG

Then it's all downhill. Past the warming shack, ammo dump and about a mile back to the bar.
alldownhill.JPG

4 inches of fresh powder on a firm 10 foot base. Except for the snow bridges over the creek. EEK!! And me being solo. I met a snowboarder a little further on who had back tracked after sliding in the trees and losing his partner. Tree well danger is a real deal. We skied to down the shack and had a text from his partner.
happyplace.JPG

Looking back up to the warming shack. I met the nordic ski patrol doing a sweep and we chatted about the quality of snow and of life and about a mutual friend who had been a patroller and alpine ski guide and wonderful human being who's life was too short. We agreed to dedicate our last run of the day to his memory.
backatshack.JPG

Very beautiful. I hope this winter will be just as fabulous!

[wooley12]

This year is getting off to a slow start but the best skiing is Jan - May, hooray!

IMO, the maritime snowpack and relatively low elevation make the conditions so variable that if you only have a day or two fishscales are highly recommended.

Jack, If you're still going to be working again this year send me a pm and we can meet at the Grand Junction hut. I meet some interesting folks there.