Cascade River Road Skiing?

Does anyone have a favorite place to ski in winter on/off the Cascade River Road? We recently acquired a place to stay a few miles up and haven't had a chance to explore much. Lookout Mountain, Little Devil Peak, Hidden Lake Peak, early or late season favorite jaunts? Not sure what the access is like in mid winter, ideas?

There has been a lot of talk of snowmobiles, but alas, we're not ready for the plunge into constant repairs and money spending. So, ideally, there are good suggestions sans snowmobile but I'm open to all ideas.

Thanks!

It really depends on how far up you can drive and what conditions are like. When the road is in bad shape you're facing a pretty long road skin to even get started.

I'd be interested to hear how snowmobiles change the access on CRR. It's a purchase that I'm considering this year to be able to extend the legs for day or weekend tours.

I wouldn't buy a machine just for CRR -- It is only 4 miles from the road end down to the 2000ft elevation -- a lot of expense for not that much distance. When I think of buying a machine -- I think of the NF Teanaway, White River road (Rainier), the Chiwawa and Hwy-20 as reasons.

BTW my nephew is selling his sled

These links can give a little historical feel for things:

www.tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.p...R-CJ-Couloir-NCNP-WA

cascadeclimbers.com/forum/ubbthreads.php...SID=c5f8c22e1de615fd

Digging a little through Sky's wintery trips at SkiSickness will yield a few more stories regarding access on CRR (Formidable and attempts on Lost Marbles/Kumquat come to mind).

I'd hazard a guess that a small chainsaw, and the skills/safety gear to match, might yield a greater touring return on investment than a snowmo given tales of blowdowns?

That matches with my impressions of CRR. I've never been out there later than November or earlier than May but I've heard tales of blowdown. The walk from the Eldorado trail head to the end of the road is quick and easy. I'm thinking more for use on CCR/GCR and Hwy 20 but was hoping that CRR would be another reason to get a sled.

I'll check the link to the used sled from home, thanks for the tip.

Ultimate CRR rig:

that's not going to get you too far without peddles...

you don't peddle it you load & push on the up, coast er down.

Those tech-toe ski attachments are wonderful. Missed them on the first look. Does that do something terrible to your ski/rack if you strike something with the ski tail?

Edit: Found the bike product page. boobicycles.com/ski-mountaineering-bike/

Those tech-toe ski attachments are wonderful. Missed them on the first look. Does that do something terrible to your ski/rack if you strike something with the ski tail?

Just don't lock your toes. Got to be aware of pre-release issues though.

The only thing that would make that bike better would be tech toes in place of pedals.

The blowdown situation is a thing. In addition to a chainsaw it's advisable to carry a good axe, a good shovel and a long tow strap for yarding logs and unsticking vehicles. Some days you will spend more time dicking around on the road than riding.

I will put in a vote for Hidden Lake Peak. If timed right you can still drive to the trailhead and skin shortly thereafter. Narrow valley so be watchful of avy conditions and glides off of the steep slopes above the valley. Had a down to rock glide cover my skin track about 20 years ago. Fucking scary.