April 21-22, 2012, N. Cascades conditions

Susan and I didn't ski, but we carried them far enough that it counts.

Roamed about a bunch down low Saturday with wheels on SR20; very fun. Most impressive avalanche history seemed confined to NE aspects above 5.5k. Lots of unsurprising loose sluffy stuff in the sun.

Sunday, we settled on a "relaxed" trip up Snowking, using only maps as a guide. The USGS quad doesn't tell the whole story. The road that goes to 2800' doesn't. The "4WD" trail above 2800' is blocked by a serious washout.

Just across the Cascade River, after a few minor fords, Road 1570 is blocked by large rocks labelled "BFRs" by the Forest Service. The washouts just up the road are passable on foot, but obstacles for road-legal vehicles, making the BFRs reasonable. From the end of the recently feral road, a steep and brushy climbers path heads up a creekside riblet. We shwacked up, reaching punchy snow and more open forest at 4k. We could smell an epic coming, and decided to bail before it arrived. Downhill travel was easier than up. We didn't check out the old road across the final washout; the Internet thinks it might work?

Bring a light machete for the trip up the road, and your trip down the road will be even more pleasant. With little brushing-out, the road will remain a sustainable trail. Bottom 500' of the climbers' track would benefit from a little love too; it appears to be the default route.

Cow Heaven Trail is a Mt. Si of Marblemount, and provided fine consolation exercise. Steep trail is in the shade by 2pm.

Snow: may be found as low as 1600', in large sheltered patches by 2k, and is continuous in many places above 4k. 6' of snow on the road at Swamp Creek.