Feb 10, 2012, Steven Backcountry

Parked across the highway from Steven's Pass resort and began skinning the ridge beginning at what I believe is employee housing.  There appeared to be about 1 to 2 inches of fresh(er) snow on top of breakable mush. The ascent was fairly decent until you reached the upper areas where snow began to glob onto our skins. We descended down towards the highway east of the pass.  The top and bottom were both pretty heavy going.  However, the middle section skied nicely considering the conditions.  Watch out for accumulated snowballs coming down behind you.  The picture is of a two foot pinwheel that almost took me out.