Nov 25, 2007, Mt St Helens Rock-Ski Maker

We decided to check out Mt. St. Helens on Sunday as the ranger reports described 15 inches of snow on the ground at 3,800 ft.  We made a comfortable brunch-crowd start of about 11:30, but were able to skin directly from the south-side snopark (2,800 ft) up the standard winter climbing trail.  As soon as we made it above tree line, though, an expanse of rocks and very patchy snow  greeted us every where we looked.  We hiked up to about 5,000 ft with our skis as it was a beautiful day for a workout with sunny skies, surprisingly warm temps, and little wind.  But with few prospects of skiing in sight except for the slopes directly below the crater rim, we turned around and hiked back down.  The run back through the trees was fun although we all earned some rock scratches from the experience.  With the new snow expected this week, the south side should be in much better shape.