Lumiere Ridge 4.21.09

With Steven's Pass Ski area recently closing for the season I did my usual pilgrimage to the ski slopes. Since I have climbed all the peaks surrounding the ski runs I was going to have to get creative. I parked at the trailhead for the PCT and quickly changed to snowshoes. I could see that trying to follow the PCT was not going to work so I traversed to the ski runs and gave up some elevation and dropped to the ski run that would take my directly to the saddle between Big Chief and Cowboy. Not knowing how far I would stay on the runs I left the snowshoes on. I did see a few prints going my way. The sun was beating down on me and was quite warm as I easily made my way to the saddle. Once at the saddle I could see my objective a long ways off. I had plenty of concern about avalanche danger with the warm unbroken sun. I was surprised to see about 20 snowmobilers in the Mill Creek Basin. Since most of them were highmarking every available hillside without provoking any slides, I felt more comfortable. I quickly dropped in the basin below and followed the snowmobilers tracks as far as I could before I began a traverse at 4600'. I followed an old ski track which worked. I decided that the slope above me looked suspect so I dropped to around 4400' to give myself an extra cushion. I rejoined the snowmobilers track greatly increasing my speed. I met a big group at Lake Susan Jane. They were going up the steep gully just to the SW. I would have liked to use this gully because it was a more direct line. Not wanting to get run over or have any issues with the dogs I crossed over the frozen lake and followed roughly the PCT. In the gully I did see a couple small avalanches come slowly down the slope.Once in the basin above I dropped pack and pushed for the ridge. There were plenty of snowmobilers tracks to follow so the going was straightforward. I reached the ridge just South of the summit and started to make my way to the summit. The ridge was heavily corniced and they were full sun resulting in a steady stream of water coming off of them. This seemed to me a dangerous situation that didn't warrant continuing. I gave some thought to traversing underneath them and decided against that. I slow motion glissaded back to my pack. I had a quick bite and retraced my steps back. When I reached the point where I had decided to drop lower I was dismayed to find a larger avalanche that had crossed my path. Feeling lucky I pushed on to the dreaded climb out of the basin. I took off the snowshoes and booted the remainder. I was hoping to speed up the descent back to the car by glissading but wasn't able to get much speed up due to the soft snow and low angle descent.




Approx 8 miles 3100' of climb 5:30 car to car

Cascade Lookout 4.07.09

After changing plans last week mid stream I thought with only a half day for climbing a return visit was in order. I haven't been blessed with good weaher of late so with the stellar weather predicted I was eager to head out. I couldn't believe how warm it was already at 1030 so I gladly changed my lenses to the darkest I have and slathered up the sunblock. I however should have been paying closer attention to where and more importantly where I hadn't applied the sunscreen. In my haste I managed to miss my entire left calf which I am now paying the price for. I wasn't enthused with the long road walk to the first 4 way intersection so I decided to take a more direct approach. I was surprised that there was another car parked at the gate. I hoped I might cross paths but the best I could do was to see them above me for a short while. I think they were out for a mountain bike ride. I only went a short ways on the main line before taking the first right. I followed the good road until it split where I followed the left branch. This branch ends shortly and it was into the clearcut. The going wasn't too bad and soon I found myself on the road above me only a short ways to rejoin my route from last week. I figured I halved the mileage from last week saving much needed time. From there I followed my prints form last week and instead of leaving the road I stayed on it climbing steadily to point 3087'. The snow was very wet and heavy but I kept the legs churning. From 3087' I descended the road below and crossed Deep Creek. I dropped pack and headed up. The snow was a little firmer making for an easier than expected ascent. I topped out on point 3600' which provided some great views of Phelps, Goat, Mclain and both Dog and Morpheus mountains. The only thing that I couldn't see was the lookout that I had hoped to find. I had expected to be able to see it from this vantage. I now was running low on time and since the lookout was at a slightly higher elevation I descended to a road that climbed to the North. The road headed to a heavily treed area which in mind wouldn't make for a good location for a lookout. Thoroughly confused I followed the road until it started to descend. I left the road and wound my way through the densely treed area until I reached what seemed to me like the highest point of the surrounding area. I certainly didn't see a lookout in the maze of trees. With the end of my allotted time I headed back. On the way down I stopped for short time to look at the long single track of my ascent. I always enjoy the sight on the long unbroken track of my hard work. The descent seemed to drag on until I was able to take off the snowshoes. Once the snowshoes were off the pace seemed to quicken until I reached the clearcut. Here I slowed the pace to avoid any chance for a unpleasant fall.




Approx 12 miles 2800' of climb 6 hours car to car