June 25, 2005, Coleman Pinnacle
6/25/05
WA Cascades West Slopes North (Mt Baker)
3688
3
after last weekend's initiation to the Coleman Pinnacle area, Brenda and I were hooked, and not willing to wait until next year for a return trip. We left Renton a bit late, with a surprisingly steady shower as we headed north. Arrived at Mt Baker lot to dry but overcast at around 10:00 am. Hiked up to Artist Pt then out Ptarmigan Ridge to the trail junction where we found pretty much continuous snow out to Coleman Pinnacle - one downhill run from the junction was required to connect snow patches. Took a break on the first ridge midway to the pinnacle as we waited for the socked in clouds to clear - we don't know the area well enough to ski it blind. Continuing on we were tempted by the activities of a good sized group of skiers yo-yoing the ridge between the pinnacle and the nearer peak, but we stuck to plan and headed to the high pt just west of the pinnacle. We were rewarded with views towards Baker as the clouds suddenly cleared - just as the forecasters had predicted for that afternoon. The snow was excellent, nice fast corn with suncups only a bit of problem on the flatter sections. We reached the car late, as usual, thankful for long spring days and no work Sunday. We stopped for dinner at Milano's in Glacier and arrived in Renton after 10:00 pm. Ouch!
It sounds like the road is not yet open to Artist Point. Is that right?
Your picture makes it look like the north slopes are still nicely snow covered. How about the slopes south of Coleman Pinnacle? Some friends have been talking about taking a family backpacking trip out there soon (with kids). If the south side trail and adjacent slopes are still snowy, that probably wouldn't be a good plan.
Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!
Your picture makes it look like the north slopes are still nicely snow covered. How about the slopes south of Coleman Pinnacle? Some friends have been talking about taking a family backpacking trip out there soon (with kids). If the south side trail and adjacent slopes are still snowy, that probably wouldn't be a good plan.
Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!
md2020 wrote: "Continuing on we were tempted by the activities of a good sized group of skiers yo-yoing the ridge between the pinnacle and the nearer peak, but we stuck to plan and headed to the high pt just west of the pinnacle."
The good sized group was a combination of two parties of four each, and we chose to split into a lazy skiers group, going for turns right away, and a touring group, going for more distance and other opportunity for descents. Both were totally happy with their choices. Tim, Lara, Eric; Heinz, Emily, Rod, Eli, and Silas were happily surprised with the unexpectedly complete clearing after 4PM or so.
Yes, Lowell, the Artist Point road was perfectly clear and a big parking area plowed too, but maybe the FS is saving it for July 4 crowd? Also, the south slopes of Coleman Pinaccle, where the trail goes, seemed to have plenty of snow, perhaps not a good idea for the kids. Tim and others in our group, lurking nearby, will share observations with you I'm sure.
The good sized group was a combination of two parties of four each, and we chose to split into a lazy skiers group, going for turns right away, and a touring group, going for more distance and other opportunity for descents. Both were totally happy with their choices. Tim, Lara, Eric; Heinz, Emily, Rod, Eli, and Silas were happily surprised with the unexpectedly complete clearing after 4PM or so.
Yes, Lowell, the Artist Point road was perfectly clear and a big parking area plowed too, but maybe the FS is saving it for July 4 crowd? Also, the south slopes of Coleman Pinaccle, where the trail goes, seemed to have plenty of snow, perhaps not a good idea for the kids. Tim and others in our group, lurking nearby, will share observations with you I'm sure.
Lowell, there were many, many days last winter and spring with a 5000' snow level and precipitation. The snowfall in the ski area at Baker was dismal, but on the surrounding hills, strellar. As a result, there is much good snow above 5500 ft. A trip to Coleman Pinnacle will be on snow from the Wells Creek/Swift Creek divide for several more weeks.
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