[mbravenboer]

Panorama of Alpine Lakes Wilderness from Mt. Stuart to Mt. Hinman (from Jove Peak)

With the warm weather and moderate avalanche risk ( http://www.nwac.us/avalanche-forecast/avalanche-region-forecast/2078/cascade-west-stevens-pass/ ), I wanted to do a fairly safe snowshoe trip that would also allow me to change my plans depending on the conditions. I decided to go the Smithbrook area, and finish an earlier attempt of Union/Jove. If the snow was efficient, perhaps we could finally even reach McCausland. From the WTA report of EasternImport, I knew that there was a track to Union, which would make the first climb a lot easier. The main avalanche concern to me was Jove, where the ridge is entirely south-facing. To avoid the warmest hours of the day, I started very early (5:30am) and was planning to leave Jove before noon. It turned out that the snow was not a big concern. I've seen people refer to the Smithbrook area as the 'fridge', which was definitely applicable today. This area is remarkably good at capturing cold air, and right over the Stevens Pass the temperature quickly dropped to 25F at the trailhead (it was 54F a bit beyond Skykomish). The snow had a small crust, not enough to hold a person, but enough to keep the sun busy during the day. Starting at 5:30am, we made quick progress on the very packed Smithbrook Road (no snowshoes necessary) to the summer Lake Valhalla / Union Gap trailhead. There was a good track to Union Peak, established by EasternImport, and a party that apparently did a McCausland attempt (the tracks split at the meadow before Union Gap) The climb to the meadows before Union Gap was pleasant, but the section from those meadows to Union Peak was still as steep as it was previous attempt! I was happy once I reached the ridge, and enjoyed the ridge walk to Union Peak. I was a bit too late to enjoy sunrise there, but it was still gorgeous with views in all directions (Chiwaukum, Lichtenberg, Mt Daniel, Hinman, Monte Cristos, Sloan, Mt. Baker, Glacier Peak etc). You do need to strategically walk around a bit on the summit to get all the views. The descent to the gap between Union and Jove was straightforward (500ft down). There is an interesting (non overhanging) cornice ridge there, mostly between trees. At points where it got a bit more narrow, it's possible to just walk in the trees. The ascent to Jove (800ft up) was easier than I expected. The cornices get slightly more dangerous here (they can slide down), but until the very last section to the summit you can entirely walk in the trees, which avoids that risk entirely. We arrived at the summit at 10:15. The views from Jove are awesome. There was a strong, cold eastern wind though, so we staid for only 30 minutes. The 500ft back up to Union was not a big deal. Travel is very efficient, and the amazing views kept me busy. This is were I ran into the only person I saw during the day. A snowshoer drove down from Vancouver BC, and was doing his first snowshoe in the Stevens Pass area. He picked a good trip and day! The descend from Union Peak to the meadows was steep and not my favorite part (just like the way up). Down in the meadow before the gap (at 12:30), I had to decide whether to continue to McCausland. There was a track in that direction, which was the final encouragement I needed to extend the trip. Unfortunately, I soon found out that this party turned around just a bit after reaching the PCT. I wasn't going to give up at this point, so I continued, now breaking trail. My plan for McCausland was to not follow the ridge (which I think is the usual route), but stay on the SE slope, where there are some trees, and this slope is less exposed to sun (loose wet being a concern). Once I reached this slope, I found a cross-country skier track, which I politely didn't crush with my snowshoes. This route worked out great. It was nice to enjoy the views from McCausland as well. It is fairly similar to Union/Jove, but the cliffs of Lichtenberg close by and the different time of the day made it definitely worth visiting. We went back to the Smithbrook road via the creek visible on the topomap, staying north of the creek. It was wonderful snow there, due to the Smithbrook fridge and the shade from Lichtenberg. We were back at the car at 5:30pm. 12.5 miles, 5200ft elevation gain All photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bravenboer/albums/72157664545222415 Part 1: Union Peak

Lichtenberg (foreground), Daniel, Hinman, Chimney Rocks and Mt. Rainier from Union Peak

Nason Ridge from Union Peak (left Mt. Howard, right Rock Mountain)

View of Jove Peak from Union Peak

Jove and the Rainy Creek drainage towards Little Wenatchee River (from Union Peak)

Wind effects at Union Peak

Sloan, Pugh, White Chuck and Mt Baker from Union Peak

Glacier Peak from Union Peak

Part 2: Jove

Fog gap between SE ridge of Union Peak and Nason Ridge

Foggy Rainy Creek drainage (from Jove Peak)

Labyrinth Mountain (center) from Jove Peak

View west with Olympics in the very far distance (from Jove Peak)

Union Peak in foreground, with the vast Alpine Lakes Wilderness in the distance

Lichtenberg, Union Peak, McCausland in foreground. Alpine Lakes Wilderness and Mt. Rainier in background

View towards Mt Stuart (from Jove Peak)

Glacier Peak from Jove Peak, with fog due to inversion hanging in the valleys

Fog fingers

View towards Mt Stuart (from Jove Peak)

Panorama of Alpine Lakes Wilderness (from Jove Peak)

Panorama from Sloan to Glacier Peak, with in the distance Pugh and White Chuck, and a little bit of Mt. Baker (from Jove Peak)

Panorama of the Nason Ridge, with Mt Howard (left) and Rock Mountain (right). Rightmost is the beginning of the Chiwaukum range (from Jove Peak)

Panorama of the Chiwaukum Range and Mt. Stuart (from Jove Peak)

Panorama of Alpine Lakes Wilderness from Mt. Stuart to Mt. Hinman (from Jove Peak)

Foreground: Union Peak and McCausland (from Jove Peak)

Foreground: Union Peak and McCausland. Background: Alpine Lakes Wilderness

Part 3: Back to Union

The ridge back to Union Peak from the gap between Union and Jove

Panorama from Jove Peak to Nason Ridge (from Union Peak)

Jove Peak from Union Peak, taking during the return trip. If you zoom in you can see my track in the open sections

View west from Union Peak to the peaks at the beginning of the Stevens Pass (Gunn, Baring, Index etc).

Liesl at Union Peak

Part 4: McCausland

Surface hoar in the meadow at Union Gap

Panorama west from McCausland

Panorama of the Monte Cristo group and Sloan Peak (from McCausland)

Lichtenberg and Lake Valhalla (from McCausland)

Panorama of Chiwaukum range with Lichtenberg in foreground (from McCausland)

Lichtenberg and Lake Valhalla (from McCausland)

Chiwaukum Panorama (from McCausland)

Union Peak and Jove Peak from McCausland

Frost on the trees in the area shaded by Lichtenberg

Track and elevation profile

GPS track for Union, Jove, McCausland

Elevation profile for Union->Jove->Union->McCausland

[wildernessed]

Good Stuff Union to Jove on that ridge is fantastic.

[RichP]

Great trifecta and a big day.

[Brucester]

I headed straight up from the gap, way back when, that was steep! Nice when all the brush is covered! Looks like a great day!

[Snowdog]

Liesel had a big day! Isabel says Hi!

[puzzlr]

By "we" I assume you mean you and your dog? Congrats on getting all three of these in one day.

[mbravenboer]

[BlameTheDogz]

Nice! The dogzni got a later start and also headed up Union, but one of the dogs was not stoked on the descent to the saddle on the way to Jove so it was a no go and back up to Union. Blame the dog! Thought about McC on the way out, but would have run out of light. Beautiful day out, though, for sure!

[mbravenboer]

[BlameTheDogz]