Mount Rainier National Park Archives - Page 5 of 5

Mount Ruth and the Interglacier

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.

Snowboarding down the lower section of the Nisqually chute

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.

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.

Looking at Spray Park and the Flett Glacier Headwall in Mount Rainier National Park

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 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.

Looking down on Camp Shurman and the Emmons route to the summit

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.

Walking on the ridge of Glacier Basin in a total whiteout

On Memorial day weekend Mount Rainier National park opens the gates to its NE side up to White River Campground (usually a month later sunrise opens). Dan, Tim and myself wanted to go touring but the weather was looking nasty so we decided to head to Glacier Basin and Yakima Peak if the weather didn’t work out.

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.

Scott watching the setting sun before the final decent to the Parking Lot

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.

Mount Ruth and the Interglacier

Nisqually Chute on Mount Rainier

Mowich Lake Basecamp and Ski Touring in Winter

Flett Glacier turns in September

Mount Fremont Camping Trip

3rd Burroughs and the Interglacier

Glacier Basin and Yakima Peak

September on the Muir Snowfield

Muir Snowfield Powder Turns in November