May 26, Bedal Peak, Darrington District
5/15/08
6145
5
Welcome to the town of Darrington, WA. Home to trees of unusual size. Land of the islands in the sky.
We have been exploring beyond Whitehorse and Three Fingers (both difficult ski terrain), in search of other options with more continuously moderate ski lines.
The 'Islands' are a string of peaks right outside of town, Whitechuck, Pugh, Bedal, Sloan, that form a striking line, a series of pyramids when all viewed along a N/S axis. It is common for peaks here to rise above the marine layer, and there is a large separation of vertical between each peak and the next, hence the 'Islands in the sky'.
View of Bedal (front) from previous trip to Sloan Peak in summer (baker in background):
Skiing is in general not easy around here, as most roads are washed out, the forests are dense, the terrain is very steep, and alpine regions do not easily connect to each other. However, the north slope of Bedal Peak represents a fairly accessible and straight forward ski run! Driving around the backside of the Mountain Loop where a few roads are not yet washed out or overgrown, we head up the Bedal Creek road (fs 4096).
We started from a switchback in the Bedal Creek Road (a little rough but easy for a subaru). Starting near Merry Brook, elev ~2200, a fishermans trail ascends to Nels Lake. This trail is rough, and carrying skiis over large logs and up a steep track is the game. Watching out for Pink flags is necessary to stay the correct course which is sometimes hard to see. The forest here, however, is exceptional. Large old growth from the start the whole way, and relatively little brush. No dog-hair woods or clearcut regen! For a rough route in this region, there is relatively little blowdown, but still a few tricky places.
Snow starting about 3500', with large skiiable openings in the woods leading up to Nels Lake. From the lake staying left, a nice open path like a groomer run for 1000'. need to 'thread' the obvious cliff band (~4800-5000', still all skiiable) to gain access to the north slope. Wide open here with glacier peak smiling. At the summit, Sloan Peak reigns lord, and is most incredible from this angle, like the Matterhorn.
We had a day of big dark convective clouds building all around, with a splash of sun highlighting the important details. Amazing ambience in the atmosphere! I will post photos as soon as I can convince the PC to read from what it now thinks is a 'corrupt' memory card! (any tips how to do this will be greatly appreciated here).
- Kevin
We have been exploring beyond Whitehorse and Three Fingers (both difficult ski terrain), in search of other options with more continuously moderate ski lines.
The 'Islands' are a string of peaks right outside of town, Whitechuck, Pugh, Bedal, Sloan, that form a striking line, a series of pyramids when all viewed along a N/S axis. It is common for peaks here to rise above the marine layer, and there is a large separation of vertical between each peak and the next, hence the 'Islands in the sky'.
View of Bedal (front) from previous trip to Sloan Peak in summer (baker in background):
Skiing is in general not easy around here, as most roads are washed out, the forests are dense, the terrain is very steep, and alpine regions do not easily connect to each other. However, the north slope of Bedal Peak represents a fairly accessible and straight forward ski run! Driving around the backside of the Mountain Loop where a few roads are not yet washed out or overgrown, we head up the Bedal Creek road (fs 4096).
We started from a switchback in the Bedal Creek Road (a little rough but easy for a subaru). Starting near Merry Brook, elev ~2200, a fishermans trail ascends to Nels Lake. This trail is rough, and carrying skiis over large logs and up a steep track is the game. Watching out for Pink flags is necessary to stay the correct course which is sometimes hard to see. The forest here, however, is exceptional. Large old growth from the start the whole way, and relatively little brush. No dog-hair woods or clearcut regen! For a rough route in this region, there is relatively little blowdown, but still a few tricky places.
Snow starting about 3500', with large skiiable openings in the woods leading up to Nels Lake. From the lake staying left, a nice open path like a groomer run for 1000'. need to 'thread' the obvious cliff band (~4800-5000', still all skiiable) to gain access to the north slope. Wide open here with glacier peak smiling. At the summit, Sloan Peak reigns lord, and is most incredible from this angle, like the Matterhorn.
We had a day of big dark convective clouds building all around, with a splash of sun highlighting the important details. Amazing ambience in the atmosphere! I will post photos as soon as I can convince the PC to read from what it now thinks is a 'corrupt' memory card! (any tips how to do this will be greatly appreciated here).
- Kevin
Thanks for the detailed report. That looks like a neat area to check out on skis.
Where is this? USA?
Just added a few more details (see top)
AMAZING PICS!
Added Map: (FS 4096 does not appear on some maps)
Updated from scouting in Nov '08, The trail is also in good shape up to at least 3000' (near the start of the glades). There has been sporadic volunteer maintennence since we skied it in May. With a decent snowpack, should be able to ski/skin from here. The trail is not the best for skinning, but is brush free, and as of the cleared of most of the smaller blowdown.
Updated from scouting in Nov '08, The trail is also in good shape up to at least 3000' (near the start of the glades). There has been sporadic volunteer maintennence since we skied it in May. With a decent snowpack, should be able to ski/skin from here. The trail is not the best for skinning, but is brush free, and as of the cleared of most of the smaller blowdown.
Reply to this TR
Please login first: