May 26, 2007Chinook Pass to Dewey Lakes and Peak

Saturday we had a great ski from Chinook Pass to Dewey Peak beyond Dewey Lakes.  The snow on the first run next to Hwy 410 at the pass was wet and heavy but skiable - didn't freeze on Friday night.  The snow improved as we headed toward Dewey Lake, nice in the glades but dirty in the woods.  All in all, it was quite firm on the descent to the lakes.  After lunch at the lake we climbed to the ridge on the west side of the peak and descended next to the remnants of the cornices.  While soft and wet - definitely not corn - the snow on the descent of Dewey Peak was much better than near the road.  We did trigger quite a few wet sloughs up to 6 in. on the steeper aspects, but nothing we couldn't avoid.  There was good snowpack at the road and on the ski down to Dewey Lakes, so with any luck we'll see corn there in a week or so.