December 11, 2004, Stevens ski area (closed)
12/11/04
WA Stevens Pass
2275
1
Decided to head up to Stevens to poach the trails the day before they opened. Skinned up Big Chief Mountain following snowmobile tracks and dropped down into Mill Valley. The snow was really crusty in most places making it a struggle to turn, especially in teli gear. There was fairly good cover except where the creeks are. Either find the weak snow bridges or launch over them. The snow pit I dug showed there to be 1 to 1 1/2 feet of soft snow underneath the top crust. To bad we can't get to it. Broke trail back up to the top of Jupiter Chair and down the frontside. Two runs and a slog out of the valley had me pretty much spent. On the way back to the parking lot I was told that Stevens had changed their minds and would not be opening tomorrow since conditions still suck. Not a total loss though because the whole day there was this big blue area where clouds are supposed to be. Great views of the surrounding mountains. It was also pretty cool to see the rivers and creeks roaring at flood stage on the drive up and down there. Some kayakers are psyched.
i was up there also, at heather ridge, but for the everett moutaineers, nice sun, terrible snow. learned a lot though
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