May 16, 2010, Glacier Basin - Mountain Loop Hwy
5/16/10
2809
2
Aaron and I did the bike to Monte Cristo from Barlow Pass on Sunday morning. (Based on a report that there was consistent snow just past the townsite of Monte Cristo). Report FAIL
Some missing smaller bridges were missing for some shorter creek crossings, but nothing dramatic. The main log crossing/detour is pretty good.
Hiked all the way past glacier falls until we ran into the massive avy swaths that destroyed the upper trail. There was a noticeable crown on a high peak that must have been 20' or more. These avy paths ran down the entire mountainside and ended well past glacier falls (see photos). We started skinning on the swath that headed up right into glacier basin. No other way to get up there except up the debris.
No noticeable slides the entire day, but the snow conditions were quite bad. Glacier basin was beautiful and a nice place for lunch. Skied about 400 VF back down into the debris and hiked down some snow fingers instead of the vegetable belays we had to use on the way up.
Pain to payoff ratio was low.
Only saw one group of 2 the whole day. Plenty of walkers on the road on the bike out.
More photos here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=164189&id=550314213&l=f1951d830e
Some missing smaller bridges were missing for some shorter creek crossings, but nothing dramatic. The main log crossing/detour is pretty good.
Hiked all the way past glacier falls until we ran into the massive avy swaths that destroyed the upper trail. There was a noticeable crown on a high peak that must have been 20' or more. These avy paths ran down the entire mountainside and ended well past glacier falls (see photos). We started skinning on the swath that headed up right into glacier basin. No other way to get up there except up the debris.
No noticeable slides the entire day, but the snow conditions were quite bad. Glacier basin was beautiful and a nice place for lunch. Skied about 400 VF back down into the debris and hiked down some snow fingers instead of the vegetable belays we had to use on the way up.
Pain to payoff ratio was low.
Only saw one group of 2 the whole day. Plenty of walkers on the road on the bike out.
More photos here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=164189&id=550314213&l=f1951d830e
wow that crown in your first pic looks huge -- yikes!!
could you tell if it was from that big cycle a couple weeks ago, or more recent? what aspect was it?
could you tell if it was from that big cycle a couple weeks ago, or more recent? what aspect was it?
Dan,
Check out this photo.
It must have been from the last cycle, it was not older than a few weeks.
West facing, you can see it here:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Mill+Creek,+Snohomish,+Washington&ll=47.984579,-121.36013&spn=0.02028,0.05476&t=h&z=15
Check out this photo.
It must have been from the last cycle, it was not older than a few weeks.
West facing, you can see it here:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Mill+Creek,+Snohomish,+Washington&ll=47.984579,-121.36013&spn=0.02028,0.05476&t=h&z=15
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