Bessemer Mountain — Monday, May. 20, 2013

Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area

Patchy snow commences around 3200ft MSL and becomes solid by 3500ft. As the route follows the old forest service roads, no additional traction is required until reaching the saddle at 4050ft. The eastbound section of the road from that point has several concerning areas where the snow has flowed over the roadbed, providing one with a nice smooth slide down over the side. Some areas were still crispy mid-morning, so kicking lateral steps was helpful, and other areas were fluffy enough to collapse to to solid snow underneath and permit sliding. The snow around the corner, heading northwest toward the summit, was much deeper. In sunny areas, the top foot was considerably fluffy and footing was bad. Given the exposure of that track, expect melting in the sun and reconsolidation during drizzle. Today the sun was very good packing snow and was forming wet boulders on my slide down. Take a map on this trail; there are many offshoot roads presumably still in service based on the signage. I would recommend snowshoes for the upper stretches at this point, and a long ice axe if that's your pleasure (the snow was fluffy enough in places that one likely would not have helped). Be cautious of footing and plan your exit strategy before you fall. There is a main waterfall about halfway along where one could fetch water. Views at the top are excellent on a clear day if you can arrive between the fog events in the valley.