When the storm if dropping crazy amounts of snow there is no place like East Peak. With direct access and over 2,500 feet from top to bottom it can be great fall line. The hardest part of the day is breaking a safe and efficient trail but well worth the effort. The upper 1,000 feet is amazingly open trees but with a bit of navigation you can get a much longer run. After the Cascades had gotten nailed with over a foot of fresh snow it was time to break trail. Scott, Dan and I made sure to be early to get some riding on East Peak storm riding.

Breaking Trail up East Peak During a Storm

Sometimes we get big storms and sometimes we get BIG storms in the Cascades. This particular storm raged for 4 days straight dropping feet of snow. Getting out of the Crystal Mountain parking lot we knew it that we wouldn’t get many runs. The skin track alone was up to our chins as we slowly broke trail up Bullion Basin Trail. Every step was a battle as we made our way to East Peak with our thoughts with the conditions up top.

Two hours and an uncountable amount of switchbacks later we wrapped around the last semi thick trees. It was a battle with ourselves as we switched breaking trail every few minutes. It was ridiculously deep but we knew that going down was going to be the best conditions possible. Soon enough we were making the final traverse to gain the ridge and mentally preparing for our first lap.

Skiing Deep Powder on East Peak During the Storm

These are the days that we dream of as Dan dropped into East Peak. The snow was both dry and unconsolidated which is a rare combination in the Cascades. Every turn would explode as he rode down the southwest slopes. He was in view one second then in a massive white cloud the next.

Arriving at the base of our skin track there was no question of a second lap. It was just understood that with all the work putting it up and how good the snow was we had to go back. Above us was still an uncountable amount of lines to be had. We quickly transitioned as we chatted about our runs. Soon enough we were skinning back up and still chatting about our runs. We kept saying it couldn’t get any better but when we got to the ridge it got better.

And Then it was Bluebird Powder Conditions

Out of nowhere the sun had come out and the line below us was bluebird. Our jaws dropped as the snow glistened and the views of the Cascades opened up. This wasn’t a day for views though, our focus was on the powder.

For our second lap we traversed for a few seconds before dropping in. This would provides us with a brand new canvas to lay our tracks down. With the terrain a bit more open we were able to charge down the line. Other than a quick stop for a photo we made it all the way down to the skin track. We had a little bit more than an hour of daylight left. This would be more then enough time for a final lap. Though we were already exhausted it would be well worth it remembering these turns when summer came.

Time for a Final Lap Down East Peak

We charged up the skin track this time with little room for conversations. We were racing the light as we could see the area glowing. What was a fully sunny run before was already have in the shade. soon we were back on the ridge and ready for our final run. Knowing it was our last run of the day we traversed the ridge a little ways further before dropping in. This would give us more turns as well as a completely untracked zone. Making our way down we couldn’t feel the bottom and we’re in the white room with every turn. By now the trees were glowing in the afternoon sun as we made our final turns of the day.

Soon enough we were back at the base and heading to the Snorting Elk. Our gear was plastered in the snow and we wanted to melt it off before leaving. To celebrate we bought a enormous pile of nachos and hung around until we could feel our hands again. It was an amazing day riding East Peak after the storm.

Thank you for reading our trip on East Peak storm riding. If you want to see more ski tours within Crystal Mountain Backcountry check out this link.