[awilsondc]

This was one of those trips where it was difficult to select a destination for the day, mostly because the weather looked bad most places and there was moderate avalanche danger.  The forecast for Union and Jove looked better than most places and the route is avalanche safe so we decided to give it a go.  Trevin, Ross, Jaron, and I met up at the Smithbrook pull out and were heading out at 8am.  We stayed in boots initially hoping to make some distance on a packed surface before needing to put on snowshoes.  The surface was mostly supportive, but the occasional post hole became annoying enough it made sense to put snowshoes on.  It was much better with the snowshoes on and we cruised up the Smithbrook road to the start of the route.

Post holing

Smith Brook

Putting on snowshoes

Ross on Smithbrook Road

Trevin and Jaron on Smithbrook Road

Feelin' good!

Starting into the forest we followed previous tracks and quickly came across two skiers who let us pass.  We continued following tracks for another 10 minutes before we came upon a father / son who were breaking the trail.  They were so very kind to let us pass and allow us to break trail to the summit!     I took the lead and made my way up through the forest.  Of course it was hard work, but my goodness it felt good to be breaking trail through snowy trees and a fresh coating of snow!  After 1000 ft of gain we crested the ridge.  Apparently the skiers had taken a different route and had passed us.  We followed their tracks to the summit.  The morning had been partly sunny, but quickly turned to socked in when we reached the summit.  We chilled for a bit, the father / son arrived soon after and immediately departed for Jove.  A couple minutes later we followed them down and a bit later leap frogged again.  At the base of Jove it was apparent the skiers had dug a snow pit, not liked what they saw, and bailed into the forest to the southeast.  The open south face of Jove is a known avalanche slope and we stuck to the safety of the forested ridge.

Into the trees

Sunburst

Snowy forest

A small clearing

Up!

Light through the trees

Ross

Ross approaching the summit of Union

Jaron on the final steps to Union

The route up Jove was tricky!  I thought it would be a walk in the park but there were constant wind lips and drifted snow that were difficult to travel through.  We had to zig zag around wind lips that were too high constantly.  It was hard work and after 300 ft I was getting really sick of weighting my step carefully only to have it completely collapse when I tried to step up.  Trevin was kind enough to take over and break the final 500ft to the summit (thanks buddy!) and it was significantly easier following in his footsteps.  The weather was really moving in, and it was cold and windy with tree bombs falling on us left and right but we persevered and soon reached the summit of Jove in a white out.  The father and son were hot on our tails.  They decided to chill on the summit, but we decided to descended a few feet and found a perfect wind shelter and snow bench to have some lunch.

Descending from Union

Lots...

...of...

...this

Union --> Jove

Trevin getting tree bombed

Finding a way

Jove summit ridge

Admiring the grandeur

Nearing the summit

During lunch it looked like we might get some views so Ross and I decided to head back up to the summit to see it if cleared up.  It did!  For all of seven seconds.    Eventually we gave up on Jove views and headed down to Trevin and Jaron.  Taking off our puffy coats, things were a bit chilly but we quickly got moving.  On the way down we warmed up, and views cleared up as well.  At the base of Jove we came across a couple skiers who were on their way up.  Trevin was in the lead at that point and talked with the skiers discussing the snow conditions and how the other skiers we saw had bailed.  This pair of skiers were adamant the snow was stable and continued up.  I found out later that another pair of snowshoers had done Union, bailed on Jove, and went for Union's east peak.  They saw the skiers trigger two avalanches on Jove's south slopes, but fortunately they made it out ok.  Careful out there folks!  We re-ascended Union enjoying views of Howard, the Chiwaukum Range, and Stuart and The Enchantments along the way.  Another quick break on the summit and we headed down.

Seven seconds worth of views on Jove

Alive!

Moody

Finally some views!

Descending from Jove

Through the trees

Howard

Looking back at Jove

Chiwaukum Range

Stuart and the Enchantments

Hiking out through the meadow

Totally unscripted

The steep forest back to Smithbrook Road sucked!  The snow was really getting soft and was difficult to plunge step in and prone to sliding.  It was a tedious descent.  To add to the experience it started raining, not from precipitation from the sky but from snow melting off the trees!  It seriously felt like it was raining and we got a little wet.  We were happy to get back to the easy travel of Smithbrook Road, but it was a bit of a slog out.  Still, it was an awesome trip that exceeded my expectations.  It may be spring, but it was nice to have one more trip hiking through snowy trees where it felt like winter.  Great trip, I'm sure I'll be back for McCausland!

[kitya]

Nice. Any snowmobilers on the road?

[awilsondc]

[rocknclimb]

Hey!  Thanks for breaking trail for my dad and myself Was a great day to be in the hills.  Was my 2nd time on Jove with unlucky views.  Nice to meet you.

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When asked "Why do you climb"?  Simply respond "Why don't you"?

[RichP]

That's great trip in summer too.

[mtn.climber]

So glad you guys took over our trailbreaking duties.  Made the rest of our ascent much easier.

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Reach for the sky, cuz tomorrow may never come.

Live the life of love.  Love the life you live.

[MangyMarmot]

Nice trip guys. Cool photos.

[puzzlr]

[Magellan]

Nice work, all of you

[awilsondc]

[Off Route Randy]

Thanks for the TR! I'm working 7 days a week 10+ hours a day until I'm laid off with a severance package in 11 days. Comforting to know it is still a wet suckfest out in the mountains!

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"Bagging Peaks and Clapping Cheeks"- Ricky Bobby's Mountain Obsessed Cousin