April 19, 2014, Teanaway, Earl-y recon via Standup
4/19/14
WA Cascades East Slopes Central
2718
0
Alas, the Teanaway isn't boasting the same late-April snow coverage of years past. Our recon Saturday indicates there's skiing for those who hike it, but it the season might be brief.
We drove the N. Fork Teanaway to Stafford Creek junction, continued through intermittent snow in 4wd 1/2 mile more and parked between snow patches about 1/4 mile short of the Standup Creek bridge. There were longer and deeper expanses of snow on the road beyond where we parked, drivable in high clearance rigs with meaty tires but I know not for how far.
The 1-mile Standup Creek road is about 75% snow covered. Past the road end and footbridge the trail is all skiing except for the numerous creek crossings and some blowdown.
After pushing through enough slide alder we departed Standup Creek and skinned up a mostly-snowy west aspect to a rib. The shallow snow beneath our skis was holding up well under the early afternoon sun, firm with 1/2 inch of corn on top.
From there we had a good look at the south slopes of Earl Peak. More areas of exposed rock than we're used to seeing. FYI a cornice remains perched on the divide between Standup and Bean Creeks. The slopes of the Stafford divide appeared to have good coverage.
Weather changed quickly from bluebird to rain. One of our party was breaking in new skis and boots. We had the bush-whacking, creek-wading descent ahead of us, so we called it there and took our one run back to the valley floor and out to 3 cold beverages waiting in the truck.
This is not to disparage the Cascade snowpack in general. A friend completed the classic Nason-Smith Backcountry Ski Traverse last Saturday and reported snow depth at the pass in the 10- to 15-foot range. At Stevens Pass today it's clear the snowpack is healthy. Smithbrook Road still has a shoulder-height wall.
We drove the N. Fork Teanaway to Stafford Creek junction, continued through intermittent snow in 4wd 1/2 mile more and parked between snow patches about 1/4 mile short of the Standup Creek bridge. There were longer and deeper expanses of snow on the road beyond where we parked, drivable in high clearance rigs with meaty tires but I know not for how far.
The 1-mile Standup Creek road is about 75% snow covered. Past the road end and footbridge the trail is all skiing except for the numerous creek crossings and some blowdown.
After pushing through enough slide alder we departed Standup Creek and skinned up a mostly-snowy west aspect to a rib. The shallow snow beneath our skis was holding up well under the early afternoon sun, firm with 1/2 inch of corn on top.
From there we had a good look at the south slopes of Earl Peak. More areas of exposed rock than we're used to seeing. FYI a cornice remains perched on the divide between Standup and Bean Creeks. The slopes of the Stafford divide appeared to have good coverage.
Weather changed quickly from bluebird to rain. One of our party was breaking in new skis and boots. We had the bush-whacking, creek-wading descent ahead of us, so we called it there and took our one run back to the valley floor and out to 3 cold beverages waiting in the truck.
This is not to disparage the Cascade snowpack in general. A friend completed the classic Nason-Smith Backcountry Ski Traverse last Saturday and reported snow depth at the pass in the 10- to 15-foot range. At Stevens Pass today it's clear the snowpack is healthy. Smithbrook Road still has a shoulder-height wall.
Reply to this TR
Please login first: