November 30, 2014, Heliotrope Ridge sunny fluffy
11/30/14
WA Cascades West Slopes North (Mt Baker)
27390
0
It's really, really good up there right now! Summit ski looks in. Road 39 is an icy nightmare; Not much actual snow on the ground (6" at TH) but lots of ice. I would return with chains for the descent. We crawled down it in 4-Low and didn't have any issues but added some time to the day. Going up wasn't bad. The waterfall across the road provides some nice pucker factor. Just go slow and be careful.
There were a handful of other cars at the TH, not nearly as busy as I'd imagined. We hit the trail and 10:15 and got up to 7130' at 2:06 and found a few other groups feasting on the goods. The snow between roughly 6200-6400' on up to the top on a NE aspect was wind packed and slightly crusted in spots. But the consensus among our group and the others nearby was overall good quality. With the drive out Road 39 looming over our heads we opted to skip a second lap but we would have gone up to the other high point at 7160' and skied the NW aspect that didn't look as wind affected. Whoops and hoots abounded the entire area. Stable conditions observed - no whoomphing or cracking.
After descending the upper slope from the ridge we navigated to a spot that we scoped on the hike in that delivered the best snow of the day from 5800' to 4900'. Blower pow, stable conditions. Slightly below there coverage got pretty thin just as we re-joined the hiking trail at 4820'.
Crampons were immensely useful for the hike out. It saved a lot of time being able to walk right down long icy stretches and added confidence at creek crossings. Could have used them on the hike in too but did ok without. Nothing super sketchy at the creek crossings, overall things are in pretty well.
Go get some.
There were a handful of other cars at the TH, not nearly as busy as I'd imagined. We hit the trail and 10:15 and got up to 7130' at 2:06 and found a few other groups feasting on the goods. The snow between roughly 6200-6400' on up to the top on a NE aspect was wind packed and slightly crusted in spots. But the consensus among our group and the others nearby was overall good quality. With the drive out Road 39 looming over our heads we opted to skip a second lap but we would have gone up to the other high point at 7160' and skied the NW aspect that didn't look as wind affected. Whoops and hoots abounded the entire area. Stable conditions observed - no whoomphing or cracking.
After descending the upper slope from the ridge we navigated to a spot that we scoped on the hike in that delivered the best snow of the day from 5800' to 4900'. Blower pow, stable conditions. Slightly below there coverage got pretty thin just as we re-joined the hiking trail at 4820'.
Crampons were immensely useful for the hike out. It saved a lot of time being able to walk right down long icy stretches and added confidence at creek crossings. Could have used them on the hike in too but did ok without. Nothing super sketchy at the creek crossings, overall things are in pretty well.
Go get some.
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