11/23/2008, Welcome Pass (Mt Baker Area)
11/23/08
WA Cascades West Slopes North (Mt Baker)
2311
1
I decided to hike up to Welcome Pass from the Mt Baker Highway today for some sunset photos so this is more an observational post since I was just hiking up. Snow starts at the beginning of the nasty switchbacks although its dependant on an open forest canopy. The depths along the trail are only a trace to 1".
From 4200' or so the snow gets deeper along the trail and is generally 4-6" until the pass. In that wind sheltered area at the pass, the snow was 1-1 1/2" deep and all powder. The surface had the beginnings of surface hoar. At the pass, there were some traversing ski tracks back towards Excelsior Ridge but I only caught a glimpse of one of the skiers later in the afternoon.
I decided to turn right and head up the small knoll to set up my camera. Once exposed to more elements the snow depths varied greatly from as little as 3-4" to 2' or so. Though the sun was out, it was freezing due to some steady STRONG winds whipping up the ridgeline. Once the sunset was over, I hightailed it back down to the pass and the trail. At this point was quickly plunge stepping and noticed that the snow surface had a 1" crust to it..
I made it about 2/3rds of the way down before needing my headlamp. That is some DARK forest at night!
EDIT: Some photos..
1. Hoar Frost at Welcome Pass
2. View west towards Excelsior Ridge
3. Shuksan and the upper Nooksack Valley at Sunset
From 4200' or so the snow gets deeper along the trail and is generally 4-6" until the pass. In that wind sheltered area at the pass, the snow was 1-1 1/2" deep and all powder. The surface had the beginnings of surface hoar. At the pass, there were some traversing ski tracks back towards Excelsior Ridge but I only caught a glimpse of one of the skiers later in the afternoon.
I decided to turn right and head up the small knoll to set up my camera. Once exposed to more elements the snow depths varied greatly from as little as 3-4" to 2' or so. Though the sun was out, it was freezing due to some steady STRONG winds whipping up the ridgeline. Once the sunset was over, I hightailed it back down to the pass and the trail. At this point was quickly plunge stepping and noticed that the snow surface had a 1" crust to it..
I made it about 2/3rds of the way down before needing my headlamp. That is some DARK forest at night!
EDIT: Some photos..
1. Hoar Frost at Welcome Pass
2. View west towards Excelsior Ridge
3. Shuksan and the upper Nooksack Valley at Sunset