March 27, 2003, Sasse Mountain 5730'

Found great snow due to a 7:00 AM start at the trailhead. Parking on the Salmon La Sc road is permissible .2 miles north of the Howson Creek road turnoff between "parking permitted" signs. Skiing the Howson Creek road is long and boring. But after the 7th switchback at 4000 ft along the northwest rib, I skinned straight up the clearcut. Regaining the rib in old forest, it is about 2 more miles along the ridge to the summit of Sasse Mtn. 5730'. Often wind deposits forced me out slightly left of the ridgecrest, till I reached the false west point, 5600+ ft. Fabulous turns can be found below this knob on a west/northwest facing open slope (scree in summer). But first I descended 200' east to a small saddle and finished the ascent of Sasse Mtn. Once back on the 5600+ knob, I found I had indeed beat the sun onto this slope. 10 inches of beautiful light powder awaited below. This run put me out into a north facing clearcut with lots more turns. Then I found the main road back to the top of my first clearcut. More turns down to about 4000' where I regained my up track again on the main road. It was nice and fast in my track back to the car. I suspect that the snow will get very heavy by late afternoon and may even refreeze with a light crust tonight.