Amabilis Mt
Nov 14, 2009
by
Just a hiker
—
last modified
Nov 14, 2009 09:49 PM
- Type of Outing
- Snowshoe/XC Ski
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Amabilis Mountain Snowshoe
- Region: Central Cascades
- Agency: Wenatchee National Forest, Cle Elum Ranger District
- Avg Rating: 3.00
- Be Aware Of
- Snow on trail
On the way up - entering the sun
Oh, I guess I can't become "Just a skier" at this time of year. So be it - "just a hiker" just skied Amabilis Mt today.
Great, exhausting trip with lots of help from my friend and two guys we met in the parking lot. They were stronger but we managed to trade off trail breaking with me doing the least. At parking lot level there was enough snow for skiing around a few wet spots and tire tracks. As a matter of fact, a couple of vehicles managed to get a few blocks up the road on the north side of I-90.
Once we started the climb there was more than enough snow and then more and more snow. I'd say we had 12 to 16 inches of the white stuff once we were about 2/3's of the way up. Took the left fork at the junction and plodded on up and up. We stopped around 3,800 feet for some food when two continental gentlemen caught up. Since we broke trail to that point, they continued on. While munching another couple came through and also proceeded on. Our group then started up. The clouds forecasted were moving in and the sun, oh, yes, we had great sun for most of the way up, was beginning to hide. We stopped just short of the summit with the view of the lake in the attached photo. Everyone was pretty spent and the first day of skiing had taken its toll.
I, the only skin-up person removed mine for the jaunt on down. The waxless folks did not have any prep and headed on down.
I'd say by the junction, the sun started to break out a bit again. At the junction, the groomer has made two sets of ski tracks but no corduroy in the center - just a raised rib of snow. The way back down to the parking lot was a bit bumpy and wavy and the snow heavier.
It was a phenomenal day and an even greater first day of the SKI season. I appreciated being back on skis as last season did not happen for me due to issues with the exception of one day in April. So welcome back snow from Just a Skier.
Speaking of trail breaking and grooming, today was the last day when a sno-park permit was NOT required. Nov 15, tomorrow, is the first day and Amabilis requires both the parking and grooming permit for an obscene total of $80.00.
I suspect that the mini-pineapple express will blow the superb conditions for another week........
Great, exhausting trip with lots of help from my friend and two guys we met in the parking lot. They were stronger but we managed to trade off trail breaking with me doing the least. At parking lot level there was enough snow for skiing around a few wet spots and tire tracks. As a matter of fact, a couple of vehicles managed to get a few blocks up the road on the north side of I-90.
Once we started the climb there was more than enough snow and then more and more snow. I'd say we had 12 to 16 inches of the white stuff once we were about 2/3's of the way up. Took the left fork at the junction and plodded on up and up. We stopped around 3,800 feet for some food when two continental gentlemen caught up. Since we broke trail to that point, they continued on. While munching another couple came through and also proceeded on. Our group then started up. The clouds forecasted were moving in and the sun, oh, yes, we had great sun for most of the way up, was beginning to hide. We stopped just short of the summit with the view of the lake in the attached photo. Everyone was pretty spent and the first day of skiing had taken its toll.
I, the only skin-up person removed mine for the jaunt on down. The waxless folks did not have any prep and headed on down.
I'd say by the junction, the sun started to break out a bit again. At the junction, the groomer has made two sets of ski tracks but no corduroy in the center - just a raised rib of snow. The way back down to the parking lot was a bit bumpy and wavy and the snow heavier.
It was a phenomenal day and an even greater first day of the SKI season. I appreciated being back on skis as last season did not happen for me due to issues with the exception of one day in April. So welcome back snow from Just a Skier.
Speaking of trail breaking and grooming, today was the last day when a sno-park permit was NOT required. Nov 15, tomorrow, is the first day and Amabilis requires both the parking and grooming permit for an obscene total of $80.00.
I suspect that the mini-pineapple express will blow the superb conditions for another week........
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Kachess Lake and surroundings from shy of the summit
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