[Middle E]

Ah, the elusive quest for sun and blue sky in the northwest winter. Yesterday, the Driver and I found nothing of the kind on Mt. Washington - only rain, sideways sleet, fog and clouds. In desperation, Suzanne decided to drive 3+ hours to the Tri-Cities, where sunshine (and wineries) are reputed to exist. I assembled a crew of JimK, Snowdog (Elle) + Izzie, and Opus (David) to chase another "partly sunny" NOAA forecast. Red Mountain off the Salmon La Sac Rd. was our destination. As we headed east on I-90, the highway advisory signs stated "Snoqualmie Pass - Chains Reguired". What? That turned out to be an exaggeration, but there was slush and fresh snow at the Pass. We started to see some thinning clouds and blue sky as we passed Easton. Roslyn was sunny, but the Salmon La Sac Rd. beyond Roslyn was snow-covered with an obvious overnight snowfall. We parked and headed out about 9:15am. There were only 2 snowmobile tracks ahead of us on the road, although several others passed us later. We started with boots but soon donned snowshoes as the snow was a few inches deep. The 1.6 miles to the trailhead seemed to go quickly.

Not too deep at the summer trailhead

As soon as we left the road the work began. There was 8-10" of fresh new powder, not too bad for trail breaking at the start, but the snow just got deeper as we ascended, except in stretches with tree cover. From there to the summit there was never any point where we were not breaking trail in deepening snow, climbing steeply, or both.

That looks like blue sky

Crossing the upper road - deeper snow

Higher and deeper, but not much blue

Still, the fresh snow and occasional blue sky made for a pleasing combination. We traded off trail breaking as the snow got deeper. Nearing the summit, the drifts on the more open ridgeline were sometimes thigh deep - even on JimK!

We can like this

Open slopes

The final steep 100' to the summit was a chest-high wallow. We made the summit in about 3.5 hours. Fortunately the wind was not as bad as on other trips. The slightly higher south summit was tempting, but the sharply corniced and drifted ridge discouraged us. By now all of the summits around us were shrouded in broken clouds, and it was hard to discern any blue. We descended down that 100' to a flatter spot for lunch.

Corniced ridge to the (barely higher) south bump

Jim nearing the summit

Elle heading down

Group shot (no one told Jim to get in back)

The descent thereafter was a delight - plunging down through the deep powder was a blast! Even though it was slower going as we re-entered the trees, we made it back to the road in 1:15, well under half the time it had taken us to ascend.

Descending the deep drifts

The road walk back to the car was uninspiring, but the total descent time was only 2 hours. If anyone wants to ski those upper slopes, there's a great trench to the summit! (but likely filling in with blowing snow higher up) The round trip is 7+ mile and 3500', but 3 of those miles are on the road, and involve barely 300' of gain. Do the math....

[Opus]

I think we found the missing snow other trip reports have noticed; it's all on Red Mountain! Lots of powder on the upper slopes made for some floundering but a great run down. I like days of swirling clouds. Two other snowshoers caught us as we were descending from the summit and there is now a pretty nice trail broken the whole way.

Here comes Izzy

Going up

Steep

Deep

Sunbreak

Team effort

Peaks

Frosted trees

JimK summiting

Aren't you here yet?

On the top

Summit ridge

View

[BarbE]

Great effort breaking trail on that steep ascent. Sorry I had to miss out. Love all the great cloud shots! but, once again, what happened to the mostly sunny forecast?

[Snowdog]

This was my 2nd trip up Red - and conditions could not have been more different.(boots & crampons for 1st trip) Opus's pic of Barry "snowplowing" with Isabel getting caught in his blowback clearly shows the strength of Barry's upward momentum! Here are a few pics from the day:

the mark of Zorro, or, in this case, Barry.

I usually leave the 'artistic' shots to my many friends with far better photographic skills, but this windswept effect caught my eye.

wind effect

up we go

Certainly wouldn't want to wander to the left

The descent of the 1st 2K was as much fun as you can have on snowshoes!

Wheeeeeeeeeee........

Isabel and I had a great day out w/ the boys!

[Jeb]

Well done I'm glad you caught some views from up there

[JimK]

We parked right at the start of the Cooper River Road. Since my last visit there are now signs on the right side of the road showing where parking is okay. Room for about 7 or 8 cars. No signs for any parking passes.

[JimK]

I have posted my trip report with 36 photos and a GMAP4 track at: Red Mt. Report & Photos Here are a few favorite photos: