There are advantages to this year's unusual snow season. The access to areas otherwise difficult to reach has been a blessing. I've enjoyed skiing Darland Mountain three times this spring, as the early snowmelt at lower elevations has allowed entrace to some amazing country!
I skied Darland twice this week. Both days were sunny, warm, and the skies were full of cool clouds. The road from Tree Phones was dry and accessible to Eagle's Nest. From there, we were able to skin all the way to the weather station atop Darland Mountain (just short of 3 miles). Wide jeep tracks cut days before made for a fabulous skin track up and a fun, fast glide out.
This is quiet, wild country mid-week. There were no snowmobilers, jeepers, or even other skiers in the area either day I visited. Birdman and I counted a dozen elk in White's Pocket from the overlook at Eagle's Nest and on previous trips I've seen mountain goats, deer and even a pine martin. The ghost forest at the saddle beyond Clover Flats campground from a fire several seasons ago is a lovely picture against the white snow. A colorful yellow and orange Western Tanager appeared electric against the silver and white of this stark scenery.
Just beyond the saddle, Mt. Adams comes into view, as do the Goat Rocks in all their snowy glory. Darland Mountain is also in view and the bowl below it. I love how the snow adds such a dramatic dimension to the surrounding hills. Of course, your eyes also take in the vastness of the valleys and the layers of distant hills.
The bowl to Darland's immediate east is a playground for snowmobilers; tracks are cut into its sides in all number of different directions. Both days I visited, we peered over the corniced edge and determined we wouldn't attempt to cut our itty bitty ski tracks into the deeper ones the snowmobiles left. The conditions were riper for a nice glide out versus trying to perform our sprayed fly impressions in difficult snow.
The white stuff is melting fast! Four days separated my visits to Darland this week. By my second trip, Birdman and I were forced to take our skis off just beyond the saddle, because patches of dirt & rock had appeared on our route and the snow in the bowl was pulling away from the top edges. Cornices were slipping and the snow was slushy. My first day's glide out was fun and fast!! My second day's trip was slightly slower and the snow was sun-cupped.
Both days the weather was absolutely gorgeous!A nice couple of outings for sure!
*Note: The name of this mountain is Darland, not Darling... even though it's a darling little mountain at 6975 feet :)
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