2/28/2015, Cowlitz Rocks

Bill and I headed for Cowlitz via the usual 4th crossing / Mazama ridge approach.  It was windy and cool in the parking lot -- encounted Androolus and co while putting on skins at 4th crossing.  By the time Bill and I gained Mazama ridge, the winds had mellowed.  As we proceeded to Cowlitz Pass the winds died completely and it got a bit sweaty.  We snacked at Cowlitz pass and were joined by Floater for his 2nd lap on Cowlitz Rocks.  The west slope had boot top wind deposited snow that skied pretty well.    We traversed out along where the Paradise Ice caves existed back in the '60s and skinned a bit to enter the Golden Gate.  The wind deposited skiing down the gate was fine -- a bit more tracked and sun effected than the snow on Cowlitz but fine.  Returned the lot in time to hear the PA squaking for people to head home.  We made the Longmire gate with 12 minutes to spare.