Emmons Glacier had always caught my eyes from Crystal Mountain ski resort. It just seemed like an endless descend being over 8,000 feet down to Glacier Basin after a hike over to the Interglacier. For many years I felt I didn’t have the skills for the semi technical line but over time I worked up on my skills. During the 2007 season I had a goal to ride all 5 Washington Volcanoes and this would be the home mountain.
Mount Rainier Ski Tours
This page is dedicated to Mount Rainier ski tours that I’ve done over the years with over 40 unique skiing and snowboarding adventures.
The backcountry ski tours in Mount Rainier National Park are some of the most stunning trips in all the the Cascade Mountains. From trips to the summit to tours on the surrounding Peaks. It is through these trips that I learned how to efficiently ski tour and explore new terrain every year.
During the winter if you plan on skiing your main entrance is Paradise Visitor Center but if you don’t mind a long approach you also have the Carbon River. If you have a snowmobile than you can make your way up the White River to the White River campground.
Mount Ruth and the Interglacier
Menu
Menu
Mount Ruth and the Interglacier are the two main at the head of Glacier Basin in Mount Rainier National Park. From the basin floor the faces rise dramatically over 3000 feet. With a 4 mile hike up the Glacier Basin trail you can find yourself surround be these mountains to the South and the 3rd Burrough to the north. With a 5,000 foot freezing level and cleared out road to the White River campground it seemed it was a rare late Spring day to find powder. Our plan was to do an overnight camping trip in the basin and ski whatever line or lines that got our attention.
Nisqually Chute on Mount Rainier
Menu
Menu
The Nisqually Chute is a great alternative to the Muir Snowfield as possibly the best accessed steep line in the Cascades Within two hours of leaving Paradise Visitor Center in Mount Rainier National Park you can be dropping in. Wanting to find some good corn snow in April we decided to drive up and have a look after climbing up to the Muir Snowfield. It would be a 6,400 foot line is one of the more scenic area around.
Mowich Lake Basecamp and Ski Touring in Winter
Menu
Menu
Ski Touring around Mowich Lake in Mount Rainier National Park during winter had always been an interest to me. Knowing there was great terrain surrounding it we decided to do a camping mission. The plan was for Scott and I to leave after work on Thursday and skin up to the lake, spending three nights in the area. Once at camp we would ride the surrounding area until Sunday afternoon then head back to the car.
Flett Glacier turns in September
Menu
Menu
The Flett Glacier is the go to spot for early season turns on the north side of Mount Rainier National Park. Being one of a few small glaciers with relatively easy access in is a fun alternative to the Muir Snowfield. With a 6 mile hike from Mowich Lake and Spray park just a little bit of snow can make this place great for taking short but sweet laps. Being protected between Echo and Observation Rocks it holds snow relatively well and is a great place to get away from the crowds.
Mount Fremont Camping Trip
Menu
Menu
Mount Fremont is one of those peaks near Sunrise Visitor Center that still hold snow one the road opens in mid July. The Peak and numerous sub summits and options for skiable lines so it is the perfect area to spend some time in. The are is one of the more popular areas in Mount Rainier National Park. There is a hiking trail to a lookout tower on the true summit but we decided to camp on the ridge. This would give us great views and skiing directly from camp.
3rd Burroughs and the Interglacier
Menu
Menu
3rd Burroughs and the Interglacier was an idea that Dan and I had put together as the perfect late season camping trip. With the Sunrise road still closed we would drive to the White River Camp ground and hike up. The plan was to camp just below the summit of the 3rd Burroughs and the next morning we would ski into Glacier Basin and climb the Interglacier. It would be a long trip linking up the 3rd Burroughs and the Interglacier but it would have stunning views.
September on the Muir Snowfield
Menu
Menu
September Turns on the Muir Snowfield is an annual pilgrimage for most of the turns all year crew in the Puget Sound. Early in the season you have a handful of easy options to find snow. Up north you have the Heliotrope Ridge on Mount Baker but on Mount Rainier it is either the Flett Glacier or the Muir Snowfield. Not wanting to deal with the Mowich Lake road we made our way up to Paradise Visitor Center.
Muir Snowfield Powder Turns in November
Menu
Menu
With a early season snow storm hitting the Cascades Scott and decided to get some Muir Snowfield powder turns in mid November. With the first storms of the season there is only a hand full of places to go to get early season turns. You could head up North to Heliotrope Ridge on Mount Baker or both the Flett Glacier and the Muir Snowfield on Mount Rainier. Knowing that there was a permanent snowfield in the area we wouldn’t have to worry about hitting rocks and not wanting to hike the 7 miles of trail from Mowich Lake we made our way towards the Paradise Visitor Center.