Sunbeam Basin is a popular bowl within the eastern side of the Tatoosh Range, With the Stevens Canyon Road running right under it the access is some of the best in Mount Rainier. Being north facing and with aspects from northeast to northwest it offers numerous aspects and holds great snow. It’s one of those places that you can easily access in the Winter from Narada Falls Parking Lot. Knowing there was good snow out there Amar, Hannah and I decided to head out and check out the snow conditions.

Skinning From Narada Falls Parking lot to Sunbeam Basin

When I got back to Washington it was the beginning of February and a storm had just blasted Mount Rainier National Park. Calling up Amar Andalkar he was heading out to the Tatoosh Range with Hannah and asked if I would like to join. After a 6a.m. picking we were driving through Puyallup at arriving at Narada Falls Parking lot. After a week switchbacks we were skinning on the Stevens Canyon Road before turning off to Sunbeam Basin as the trees were plastered in snow.

The clouds were coming in and out as we made our way up the basin. Soon we made our way up to the ridge that separates Sunbeam Basin from Castle Peak. A step at a time we broke the trail in through a foot of fresh snow. We could tell that where ever we chose to ski it was going to be really good. Soon enough me made it to the top of our line and chatted about what slope we wanted to ride. With a little bit of wind from the west we decided to head down the northeast side as it was wind loaded. It was super cold and windy so we transitioned quickly and before long it was time to drop in.

Making Turns Down Sunbeam Basin

From the first turn we immediately confirmed it was going to be a great run. Turn after turn we made our way down in limited visibility from the snow exploding in our face. One at a time we made our way down the steeper face before arriving lower on the slope.

With the weather being so brutal we decided it was time to head back to the car. We had gotten some amazing turns and we were happy with the day. It was time to break the final track down Sunbeam Basin to the road before the skin back on Stevens Canyon Road.

Heading Back to Narada Falls Parking Lot from the Tatoosh Range

Skinning back on the road we could see that other people had been out in the Tatoosh Range as well. Although we didn’t see anyone there were now two skin tracks side by side. Making my way down the road I wondered if other people were experiencing the same conditions.

Soon enough we were back to the corner and preparing to drop down to the Narada Falls Parking lot. As I switched over to snowboarding the sun came out near the Western Tatoosh Range. The visibility had improved and we could see lane peak in the distance but the wind was still brutal. We were happy with a short but super fun day riding Sunbeam Basin. Making my last turns down the final 100 feet to the car I knew I wanted to return the next day.

Thank you for reading this trip in Sunbeam Basin in the Tatoosh Range. If you want to see more ski tours within Mount Rainier Backcountry check out this link