[John Morrow]

Jake, Justin, Dave and I approached via Smithbrook Road to the switchback at 3 mi and then up the southern rib of Union skirting the numerous granite outcrops and windrolls to where it meets the east ridge at 5200'. Not bad going overall. On the east ridge to the top pole depth was up to 16 inches! About 8" inches very light new over 6" to 10" of variable older dense snow from early last week. Trail breaking was a bit slow if not in the drip zone or wind scoured areas.

Skinnin up Union southern rib

Dave up to Union summit

Justin and Chiwaukum Range

Boys on top of Union

Dave and Jove

Skied the NW slope of Union bearing slightly skiers right off the summit to avoid the mid slope cliff band. Very dry new snow all day long on these shaded aspects. It took us a while to get our tele balance down due to the lack of any base. Skied to 4400 feet and then ascended the SW side of Jove connecting with the south rib for the final 400 vertical to the summit.

Justin dropping in

Floating in the deep

Starting up to Jove

Union and NW slope ski on right

Final south ridge to Jove Peak

Jake and Justin on Jove

Henry M. Jackson Wilderness, WA

Cool clouds

GP, Whittier, etc

Labyrinth Mtn

About to depart

Run W/NW off Jove was great with a bit less depth to deal with due to some wind scouring. Fun run to 4300 feet just above Lake Janus. Only time we ever sank to crust was in the denser trees.

The second run

Dave on tricky wind scour

The brothers

Jake off the top

Jake and boys

Justin

Justin cruizing

Our route out was a long trailbreak south along the route of the PCT from Lake Janus back to Union Gap.

Embark on the long traverse

NW Slope Union Pk

Distant Rapid River

Finally, Union Gap

We stripped skins at the gap and traversed high and downhill leftward onto the big steep clearcut slope below the east ridge of Union, crossed the upper road and descended to the lower road out about where the uphill gradient portion ends. This luckily gave us an all downhill route to the car. The south facing slope was already getting a thin crust on it from sun exposure earlier in the day. The slope also had several significant wet slides originating as point releases off the rocks and trees above. These got sizeable, one crossing the road, and were fifty to a hundred feet wide and several feet deep by the bottom at the road. This slope seems to do this a lot after a good snowfall followed by hot sun. Things were refreezing by the time we went through at 4:30PM. Only other note: trees began to drip pretty well below 5000 feet on south and southwest aspects in the afternoon.

[DIYSteve]

Looks like a fun day in a great place for turns. Gotta get back there this season. I found 6" of creamy fresh closer to home. Winter has returned!

[John Morrow]

[juneauhiker]

That sounds like an awesome trip. I went back there a few weeks ago but we ended up just making some turns from Union's E ridge back down to the road after a late start and some gear issues. I hope for weather like yours when I go back!