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williswall poser
Joined: 30 Sep 2007 Posts: 1967 | TRs | Pics Location: Redmond |
I was editing some video on the West Side Road and had a hankering to visit it in the snow. I had actually packed my bike with appropriate clothing to bike from Longmire to Paradise and then hike towards Muir, but it was obvious as soon as I entered the park that the roads were not ready for biking; lots of packed and semi icy snow covered much of the road right from the entrance, so I had to miss my annual February bike; I'll wait for better (and warmer) conditions. After chowing down at Longmire I went back to the WSR and unpacked the snowshoes. I set off with balmy weather.....17 degrees F. There was a nice track for the first couple of miles but then things thinned out. From the gate at 3 miles I was basically breaking trail over an old ski track. I had my sights set on the open area that has experienced many washouts but is now regraded and it didn't disappoint. The distant mountain, beautiful blue skies and sculpted snow over the rocks and logs that surrounded Tahoma Creek made for a stark but interesting landscape. I wanted to be home for dinner so turned around here. As I retraced my steps the clouds moved in and the wind increased, prompting me to put on a warmer hat and gloves. I regained my truck at 3 PM and noted that it was 31 degrees, so a chilly day indeed. However, I'm glad I was able to get out in great winter conditions with clear skies for a nice workout. Stats: 10 miles/1500'
calm waters Longmire Inn icicles icicles and Rainier sunrise sunrise through trees skinny white trees snow around dry creek speed limit mounds Mt Wow covered logs snow on rocks bridge over Fish Creek tracks wide angle Tahoma Creek snow bumps clouds moving in Shadows ski track
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flatsqwerl Member
Joined: 23 Feb 2010 Posts: 1049 | TRs | Pics Location: tacoma |
I had the same idea today, called the ranger who informed me there was no parking room along the road by the entrance to the WSR...sounds like they were wrong and did not want to encourage such rebel behavior. So was there enough pullout space for a car or two? ..or did you park elsewhere? I'm looking forward to this ski trip soon.
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williswall poser
Joined: 30 Sep 2007 Posts: 1967 | TRs | Pics Location: Redmond |
Plenty of room for 4 or 5 cars
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moonspots Happy Curmudgeon
Joined: 03 Feb 2007 Posts: 2456 | TRs | Pics Location: North Dakota |
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moonspots
Happy Curmudgeon
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Wed Feb 27, 2019 8:25 am
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flatsqwerl wrote: | called the ranger who informed me there was no parking room along the road by the entrance to the WSR... |
I can see why now the road is gated there, but mid-summer, why do you (anyone?) suppose? The road closure at the creek just before the rockfall area seems logical enough to me.
And that view of the mountain from Longmire Lodge is one of my favorites.
Thanks for the report.
"Out, OUT you demons of Stupidity"! - St Dogbert, patron Saint of Technology
"Out, OUT you demons of Stupidity"! - St Dogbert, patron Saint of Technology
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flatsqwerl Member
Joined: 23 Feb 2010 Posts: 1049 | TRs | Pics Location: tacoma |
Thanks to Williswall's assurance of adequate parking at the westside rd entrance, I made the ski trek in today to Round pass. The road is pretty thrashed for the first 3 miles by snowshoes/skis and lots of tree debris from the wind. The ski track gets much better after 3 miles in. At the Tahoma trail turnoff to the right, the tracks abruptly end.... so I then had the road to Round pass to myself. I put in a nice trail to round pass and turned around there. Many large elk tracks were seen. A few cat tracks which appeared to be following porcupine tracks. Rabbit tracks were seen as well. It was nice cruising coming out. it took me half the time to come out as it did to go in. After a few inches of fresh snow ( sounds likely in the next few days ), this will be an even better ski....still, very worth it today.
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williswall poser
Joined: 30 Sep 2007 Posts: 1967 | TRs | Pics Location: Redmond |
Nice! What’s your ski set up? Much faster than snowshoes but I couldn’t see using my back country set up on the road.
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flatsqwerl Member
Joined: 23 Feb 2010 Posts: 1049 | TRs | Pics Location: tacoma |
WW, my setup is 30+ year old Fischer touring crowns, XC 3 pin type.
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Blowdown Sawin' Logs ...
Joined: 24 Aug 2011 Posts: 376 | TRs | Pics Location: On the Summit |
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Blowdown
Sawin' Logs ...
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Wed Mar 06, 2019 1:24 pm
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Love your avatar photo BTW. Groundspeed of 720 is none too shabby no matter what you're flying!
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williswall poser
Joined: 30 Sep 2007 Posts: 1967 | TRs | Pics Location: Redmond |
Blowdown wrote: | Groundspeed of 720 is none too shabby no matter what you're flying! |
That was in a 777 over the Pacific, still the best I've seen (equals 828 MPH). For reference the speed of the earth's rotation at the equator is 1037 MPH. At 50 degrees north, the earth's rotation is 667 MPH, approx where that GS was recorded.
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