January 31, 2015, Snoqualmie Pass
1/31/15
WA Snoqualmie Pass
3805
1
A quick trip to 3800ft to see what Commonwealth is actually like. Trail is open to dirt in the flats down low, with brushy snow in the trees. The climb to the basin requires shenanigans, but is vaguely passable both up and down for a sufficiently committed skier. Ski crampons very useful. Once in the basin, coverage improves, but brush remains.
In the trees, the snow has the chickenheaded texture of April. In the open, a tough supportable crust resists even pole tips. Mosr creeks are wide open.
Pits at pass level and at 3800 gave moderate resistant results below a crust about 25cm down. Surface hoar to 1cm in clearings of the basin. Snowpack was 60-100cm.
1 foot of new would rejuvenate the basin. Two would revive the access trail.
In the trees, the snow has the chickenheaded texture of April. In the open, a tough supportable crust resists even pole tips. Mosr creeks are wide open.
Pits at pass level and at 3800 gave moderate resistant results below a crust about 25cm down. Surface hoar to 1cm in clearings of the basin. Snowpack was 60-100cm.
1 foot of new would rejuvenate the basin. Two would revive the access trail.