With a full moon and clear skies it was time to head out into the mountains and try something big. Jason and I kept throwing ideas back and forth until reaching a agreement that we should visit the remote Chiwaukum Mountains. It was our hope that we could find a scenic camping spot and get some turns. Since it was early January we knew it was going to be cold with short days.

Driving over Stevens Pass we were already concerned about the time. It was 9a.m. and we still had an hour drive before being at the base of the Chiwaukum Mountains. Arriving at the trailhead we them are camping gear in the bags and were off. Heading up the forest service road we chatted back in forth about our camping spot. Since it was a full moon we wanted a view in the alpine.

Heading up into the Chiwaukum Mountains

Soon enough we were at the base of the swath and putting in switchbacks. By now the sun was already starting to set off to the west. Before long we were near the top of the line and it started getting steep. Putting our boards on our packs we made it up to the summit ridge minutes before it got dark.

Once we found a nice flat spot on top of the ridge we set up camp. By now the sky was dark as we started setting everything up. In the distance we could see the peaks starting to illuminate. All of a sudden the moon crested over the eastern sky. It was as if it was daytime since it was so bright. Though he had been a long day it was already worth the effort to be where we were.

Looking into the Chiwaukum Mountains we had a clear view of the peaks. Off in the distance we could see the Big Chiwaukum and all in between. Cooking food we made our plans for the day ahead and set the alarms. Most of all we wanted to watch the sunrise so we need to get some sleep. Before long we were in the warmth of our sleeping bags and quickly nodding off.

Day 2 and Searching for Some Good Snow to Ride

The next morning we woke up to a beautiful sunrise as we started moving around camp. Watching the sky slowly light up we started packing our bags. Our camp was near the top of the swath so we wouldn’t need to bring everything. It was time to get moving and see if the snow was any good.

After a few minutes of skinning we were looking down a south facing slope and ready for our first run. Dropping in there was a few inches of new snow but it was cold. The snowpack was still quite shallow but we made the most out of it.

Putting in tracks we rode to the lower basin. Though we had found a spot with a descent snowpack we could feel the ice underneath. What was originally going to be a ski tour turned into a scenic day. Though we made the most out of it the snow was really bad in the Chiwaukum Mountains.

Instead we Decided to get Some Views of the Chiwaukum Mountains

We decided to change our plan and instead hike up the Little Chiwaukum. It would be a scenic spot with a clean view towards Stevens Pass and the North Cascades. Since it was quite firm skinning was an issue so we decided to bootpack. A step at a time we made our way back up the basin and towards the ridge.

Soon we were taking the last steps before gaining the ridge. It seemed the higher we got the worse the conditions became. Using rocks and anything that was available we climbed up the steeper sections. Soon enough we had gained the ridge again and it was time to head west.

Though the ridging wasn’t good it was a great day. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky nor a bit of wind as we made our way up the ridge. It was easy travels as there was no cornices to be found. Walking with long shadow lines we found what the snow didn’t have in riding it was making up in climbing.

Before long we were taking the last steps onto Little Chiwaukum. Below it was a massive north facing cliff that made it feel dramatic. A few steps later we were on the summit soaking in the views and the sun. Knowing that the south facing slopes were bad we decided to head back to camp and start heading for the car.

Time to Head Back to the Car

Once at the top of the Swath we were a bit nervous. Below us was a steep upper face and we had heavy backpacks. Dropping in we made turns on a few inches on top of ice. Turn by turn we made our way down until the slopes mellowed out. Opening up we were finally making good turns all the way to the forest road. The road was actually the best skiing of the trip since it was low angle. A switchback at a time we made our way towards the car.

Soon enough we were back at the car and throwing the gear in the car. It was a brief trip and we weren’t able to find any good snow but it was great to be outdoors. Driving back over Stevens Pass we had to laugh. We would wait until it snowed again before going out on another camping trip.

Thank you for reading our trip in the Chiwaukum Mountains. If you want to see more ski tours within Mount Rainier Backcountry check out this link