March 26, 2016, Three Fingered Jack Burn Zone
3/26/16
2378
2
Trip: Three Fingered Jack - South Ridge Ski
Date: 3/26/2016
Trip Report:
With an iffy forecast up and down the West Coast
Most of the info out on the web suggests that skiers (and climbers) should wait until May when the road to Jack lake trailhead opens up. I suggest that the 3 mile approach from Santiam pass is pretty darn easy, and you should go whenever you want to.
While the weather didn't exactly pan out for us, the skiing did. The east aspect of the south ridge of TFJ offers 20-40 degree skiing down to the three lakes which lie below the ridge. They're not super-long runs, but skiing through a burned out pine forest is worth the trip.
Gear Notes:
Atomic Ultimate 78s with race skins. Beer at the car.
Approach Notes:
From Santiam pass travel N/NE through the burn area until you connect with the S. ridge. This is a good place to go skiing. If you want to access the upper mountain, pass to the East of the ridge and travel the lower terrain until reaching the upper bowls. The ridge itself is significantly wind-effected and corniced.
Date: 3/26/2016
Trip Report:
With an iffy forecast up and down the West Coast
Most of the info out on the web suggests that skiers (and climbers) should wait until May when the road to Jack lake trailhead opens up. I suggest that the 3 mile approach from Santiam pass is pretty darn easy, and you should go whenever you want to.
While the weather didn't exactly pan out for us, the skiing did. The east aspect of the south ridge of TFJ offers 20-40 degree skiing down to the three lakes which lie below the ridge. They're not super-long runs, but skiing through a burned out pine forest is worth the trip.
Gear Notes:
Atomic Ultimate 78s with race skins. Beer at the car.
Approach Notes:
From Santiam pass travel N/NE through the burn area until you connect with the S. ridge. This is a good place to go skiing. If you want to access the upper mountain, pass to the East of the ridge and travel the lower terrain until reaching the upper bowls. The ridge itself is significantly wind-effected and corniced.
cool TR. 3 finger jack via jack creek road in the spring is super wild, I've never seen another skier up there before. I've been able to drive up in a 4WD truck in late march and get within 1-2 miles of the trailhead, and occasionally the road is plowed or packed down enough by snowmobilers to make it a reasonable ways before skinning. Its only about 30 minutes of route finding from the TH to timberline. The fastest way seems to be pointing it through the trees, towards a small but prominent northeasterly facing peak that links up with the east ridge. I've always looked at skiing in the meadows area off of the north ridge. Hope you get out there!
Once i figure out how to post pictures that aren't 1+ mb, i'll send you some shots
Devon
Once i figure out how to post pictures that aren't 1+ mb, i'll send you some shots
Devon
That does sound pretty great. We didn't have good weather to get up high, so maybe I'll head back there when the road to jack lake improves to take a look at the east side.
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