Bean Creek Basin — Friday, May. 3, 2002

Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway

Drove east from Seattle until we ran out of rain, looked north, and decided to see if the Teanaway area was accessible yet. It was, if just barely. The North Fork Teanaway road is blocked by multiple snowdrifts and one good size log, about 1 mile before the Beverly Creek road turnoff. The Beverly Creek road has more snow, and another blocking log just above the bridge at the halfway point. We road-hiked to the Beverly Creek trailhead, crossed the footbridge - in great shape - and just before reaching Bean Creek, headed up the southwest ridge of Earl Peak. We ran the ridge up to the saddle where the Bean Creek trail crosses over into the Standup Creek valley, then hiked up to the summit of Earl Peak. Sunshine and mostly blue sky all the way, but with plenty of clouds blowing through to remind us of what good fortune we were having. It was too windy and cold on top to stay long, so we dropped back down to the Bean/Standup saddle, then had a terrific glissade down into Bean Creek basin. Jogging down hill on near 100% snow covered trail went fast, and we were back to the Beverly Creek trail quickly. What we could see of the Bean Creek trail - mostly just the general ""lanes"" it runs through - looked to be in good shape. However, much of the lower part of the trail, from half a mile above Beverly Creek down, is under 10-20 feet of avalanche tailings, and is impossible to see. Probably no real problems, unless the full flowing Bean Creek does a little more bank under-cutting. A very nice day, and a nice easy scramble in fine conditions. I think it is going to need a serious warm spell before the entire North Fork road is open, though!