Request for information: Route 20

Hi Folks,<br><br>Any recent reports on conditions at Rainy and/or Washington Passes?  Snow depth, surface conditions, coverage on various aspects?  Amar's site claims 2 feet of consolidated snowpack at Rainy Pass, which would certainly bode well for touring to Lyall Glacier, Cutthroat, Blue Lake Col, etc.  <br><br>Thanks,<br><br>Mark

Mark, Easy Pass trail was bare up to 4500' or so (~2 miles?) two weekends ago. Hard to believe there is/was 2+' at Rainy Pass several mile up the street. Hope you find good skiing, let us know the condition.

Mark - here's what Mike Fagin from WOW reports<br><br>Snow (on the ground): <br>Rainy Pass (4800 feet) 25 inches on the ground, Sasse Ridge (4200 feet) 4 inches on the ground , Stevens Pass (4000 feet) trace on the ground, Snoq Pass (3000 feet) 0 on the ground , Mt Baker (4200 feet) 44 inches, and Paradise (5500 feet) 59 inches on the ground<br>

We were up at Heather Pass last week. The continuous snow at the pass quickly ends 200 ft up the trail, then the ground is patchy/bare until the big slide path before the trail crosses through the cliffs, before Lake Ann. Above Lake Ann, it is not possible to ski on continuous snow from Heather Pass to the lake, but you can link snowfields with a tiny bit of walking. South slopes are pretty bare to above 6000 ft; north slopes still have decent coverage above 5500 ft. I'm not sure about coverage over towards the hairpin. It may not be possible to ski from Kangaroo Pass to the road.

Oh yea - there was a good freeze, so the snow was hard in the AM, then got pretty mushy by 3 pm below 7000 ft. Good corn above 7000 ft.

We were up at Easy Pass last Saturday, hiked for about an hour before hitting the snow. The lower snow went slush on breakable crust to complete slush by about 10am.<br><br><br>

Needs two clear nights and it is not happening. The lower half of the snow-pack is mostly crusts and facets so when it warms enough, it will turn to bottomless mush.

Thanks to all for your answers. Under the circumstances, I think my home drainage is a better bet for tomorrow. I'm looking for a get-aquainted tour with someone who's in good shape but doesn't ski steeps. Ruth in the rain, maybe?