Beautiful day for snowshoeing in the Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. We took the Snow Lake Winter route to the ridgeline saddle (shoulder of Chair Peak) and returned via the Source Lake winter route. Got one of the last parking spots and hit the trail at 10am.
Perfect alignment of no work, reasonably stable snowpack, and an excellent weather window (sunny & cold). **Please be advised this route travels through avalanche terrain - gear and expertise required**
The trail was dry packed powder, so we booted until above Source Lake, then put our snowshoes on. While we climbed to the ridgeline, skiers shredded powder in the chute adjacent to Bryant Peak and below Chair Peak. What a fantastic day for everyone.
After lunch on top, we took the Source Lake Winter route back. Today was one of those gorgeous days that make you feel warm inside and we took it all the way home.
Comments
John Parejko on Snow Lake - Winter, Source Lake - Winter Route
Oh, someone did make it up the ridge to Snow Lake today? I turned around after seeing a dozen or more people coming down towards me, just after the first switchback on roughly the summer trail track. The avy field ice was hard to get traction on, and folks said it got even worse further up.
Reading your report again: I forgot that the main winter route goes up past Source. I should try that instead. It sounds like it's less steep?
Posted by:
John Parejko on Jan 29, 2023 11:48 PM
twochewy on Snow Lake - Winter, Source Lake - Winter Route
The summer route to Snow Lake is dangerous in winter. Two skiers (with beacons) died on that steep section a few years ago. The runout is bad and even a small avalanche can wash you into the trees below. The winter route is safer (and much prettier), but also crosses avalanche terrain. We spend a lot of time studying NWAC reports and weather at the aspect & elevation of our route.
Posted by:
twochewy on Jan 30, 2023 09:30 AM
PNW-vera on Snow Lake - Winter, Source Lake - Winter Route
Our group hiked there too on Jan.29, but we had to turn around at summer trail, just too steep even with ice axe. We actually reached the source lake too, but could not find the trail to the lake uphill(we put on microspikes, and had snowshoes too). About 7 people of our group made it all the way to summit wright mountain that day, but they were mostly REALLY experienced and fast hikers with all gears prepared.however, on their way uphill, I heard one guy fell about 100 feet and he turned around even with ice axe , he had a few bruise and minor bleeding injury on his hand(lucky still) . So beginners better not hike beyond source lake or the first switchback on summer trail. It was a nice hike still, we did some ice axe training at a gentler slope.
Posted by:
PNW-vera on Feb 03, 2023 06:09 AM
twochewy on Snow Lake - Winter, Source Lake - Winter Route
Wright Mountain on that day would've been epic. We saw tracks across the lake (photo #4). Assumed it was skiers circumnavigating Chair Peak to climb the backside of Bryant. In photo #2 are a pair of black dots at the top of the couloir. Those dots are expert skiers descending it!!
Posted by:
twochewy on Feb 03, 2023 10:01 AM