July 3, 2011, Chinook Pass

Had fun on my new red, white and blue skis for almost-4th of July turns on Yakima Peak with FredR. Started in fog that cleared up in an hour or so, and started with narrow too short skins from my old skis, quickly abandoned for booting on the firm, suncupped summer snow. It softened nicely later as more sun came out. Lot of snow to ski all directions, still fairly smooth on steeper north aspects, and getting runneled lower down. Quite a few tracks set down on Naches and Yakima yesterday and today by a group out from Idaho for a wedding that we met on Yakima. Group included a chihuahua happily running aroung, which gives an idea of the firmness of the snow. We thought about going up to Sunrise to join the crowd, but this was too good to pass up. Should last a little longer for skiing right from and to the cars at both rest stops.