February 19-21, 2018, Mt. Rainier, Paradise brrr...
2/19/18
WA Cascades West Slopes South (Mt Rainier)
2223
3
Spent 3 days at Paradise, staying at Longmire Inn. All routes and hill rides were off of Skyline and Alta Vista. Did not venture up Pan Point
Wash B Day (Monday) was everyone and grandma. Big crowds. Lot full by 11ish. Snow was most sugary this day. Wind loaded areas very prevalent. Lots of areas tracked out by days end.
Tuesday, lot was about 1/3 full. Saw skiers at the top of Pan. Ran into two coming up Edith Creek - said they were gonna do tree runs. This was the day we saw some what we think were facets (pictured), a solid layer came down. Wind loaded areas knee deep, top of hills affected by crosswinds only saved a few inches of powder on a very hard crust.
Wednesday, lot was just two rows of cars. We were the first people out. Another fresh few inches came in overnight so tracks were filled in, and much more blown snow than the day before. There was a very soft crust right out of the parking lot but that was it. Again, we did not venture up Pan Point but did a few laps on the hills around Skyline west, about 30 ° with no issues.
Temps were cold throughout so very nice keeping things dry. National Park LE enforced chains on all vehicles, including 4 wheel drive. I asked the ranger and he said they had 6 spinouts in the previous two days.
Overall fantastic, low risk day half week of turns with friends and zero crowds after the holiday.
Wash B Day (Monday) was everyone and grandma. Big crowds. Lot full by 11ish. Snow was most sugary this day. Wind loaded areas very prevalent. Lots of areas tracked out by days end.
Tuesday, lot was about 1/3 full. Saw skiers at the top of Pan. Ran into two coming up Edith Creek - said they were gonna do tree runs. This was the day we saw some what we think were facets (pictured), a solid layer came down. Wind loaded areas knee deep, top of hills affected by crosswinds only saved a few inches of powder on a very hard crust.
Wednesday, lot was just two rows of cars. We were the first people out. Another fresh few inches came in overnight so tracks were filled in, and much more blown snow than the day before. There was a very soft crust right out of the parking lot but that was it. Again, we did not venture up Pan Point but did a few laps on the hills around Skyline west, about 30 ° with no issues.
Temps were cold throughout so very nice keeping things dry. National Park LE enforced chains on all vehicles, including 4 wheel drive. I asked the ranger and he said they had 6 spinouts in the previous two days.
Overall fantastic, low risk day half week of turns with friends and zero crowds after the holiday.
Nice trip report of the conditions. ;)
Sounds like you had a good trip. We have stayed at the NPS Inn at Longmire twice; it doesn't get the gate open in the morning but it puts you a lot closer! The Inn isn't cheap, but the restaurant and fireplace are both tip-top. And remaining in the park after the crowds leave? Indoors?? Priceless
Whittaker's Bunkhouse is good too; cheaper, with all the cultural amenities of the Ashford valley ::)
Whittaker's Bunkhouse is good too; cheaper, with all the cultural amenities of the Ashford valley ::)
author=telemack link=topic=39746.msg160045#msg160045 date=1519421109]
Whittaker's Bunkhouse is good too; cheaper, with all the cultural amenities of the Ashford valley ::)
We'll have to try the Whitaker's sometime. We stop there for coffee and b room.
And yes, the fireplace at the Inn is awesome. We got in early after a half day and just napped next to that fireplace.
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