Trip Reports |
Snow Wheeling Boardman Lake rd - January 21, 2012
Today's snow wheeling trip took us up the Boardman Lake rd. We had been waiting for some decent snow accumulation at
this low elevation spot. Unfortunately the good weather didn't hold and it warmed up and rained heavily the night
before. The result...several feet of slush! Some places the snow literally turned to water as we drove. We expected
a lot of downed trees, but only encountered a few. We took a short snowshoe walk into Lake Evan. Always cool to see
a frozen lake.
|
Hangover Run 2012 - January 1, 2012
Mother nature threw us a curve ball for the 2012 hangover run. A massive
land slide took out the road. We headed north to Whatcom county to do a little
snow wheeling in my old turf. It was a pretty short trip to the top once the
snow was deep enough. Still haven't gotten much snow accumulation this year.
Never know what to expect on New Years Day!
|
November Snow Wheeling - November 19, 2011
An epic start to the 2011-2012 snow wheeling season. A beautiful sunny day in the North Cascade Mountains. The snow was
borderline surgar snow at times. Progress to the summit was difficult and slow, sometimes only a foot at time, but
the payoff was totally worth it!
|
2011 Rainier Mountain Festival - Sept 10, 2011
I heard about the annual Rainier Mountain Festival on the radio. Having never been to Paradise, I figured this was a great
excuse to make the trek. We stopped in at the festival in Ashford, rubbed elbows with the Mountain Guides, then continued
on up to Paradise. While I generally, try to avoid places with so many people, it was well worth the trip. There were many
well maintained trails that were perfect for young kids. Being in such close proximity Mount Rainier makes me want to climb
it more than ever now!
|
Big Four Ice Caves - July 10, 2011
Took the family on a summer snow trek into the Big Four Ice Caves. The Ice Caves are not even close to opening up.
There is a significant amount of snow covering the snow field. Even so, it's well worth the short one mile trek in.
The trail is in perfect condition. We easily pushed a stroller all the way to the glacier. My 3 and 6 year olds
easily made the trek under their own power. If you find yourself in the greater Seattle area, visiting the Ice
Caves is highly recommended!
|
Snowshoeing Boardman Lake Trail - March 26, 2011
With an 80% Chance of rain, our plan for the day was a quick trip into the Big Four Ice Caves. When we stopped in at the Verlot
Ranger Station for our parking pass, we found out the Mountain Loop Highway was closed at the Red Bridge Campground due to a washout.
Not wanting to waste a trip, we decided to see if we could find some snow up the Boardman Lake road. We hit snow .9 miles up, and after
a short walk though patchy snow we were able to put on the snowshoes. We snowshoed up the road 2 miles to where the road cuts off to Ashland
and Pinnacle lakes.
|
Hangover Run 2011 - 01-01-2011
Once again we started out the new year snow wheeling. Today was a beautiful day in the North Cascade Mountains.
The snow was some brutal surgar snow. Even with our tires aired down to 2 PSI, it was difficult to stay on top
of the snow. We called it a day a few hundred feet in elevation from the summit. Looking forward to some fresh
snow in 2011!
|
Snow Wheeling near Jacks Pass, WA - 12-29-2010
Our last snow wheeling trip of 2010 took us out by Jacks Pass, WA. We hit one of the spur roads and climbed to about
4,000 feet. The snow was a bit old with a crust on top. It was a little slow at times, but we maintained steady progress.
Good end to 2010. See you in 2011!
|
More November Snow Wheeling - 11-27-2010
Got another snow wheeling trip in. A week later, there was much more snow. No sign of
our tracks from last week. When our progress became too slow, we put on the snowshoes and forged ahead. The first major snow drift
had really build up. It would be difficult for us to get through this section of road without a lot of work. Look forward to going back soon!
|
Snow Wheeling and Snowshoeing - 11-20-2010
First real snow wheeing trip of the season. So far we're off to a great start. Conditions today were perfect! Little to no wind. Several feet
fresh snow. I finally got to try out my showshoes that I got for christmas last years. After the lack of snow last winter, today was the perfect
day to kick off the snow wheeling season.
|
Hangover Run 2010 - 01-01-10
Brought in another year 4 wheeling in the snow. What a difference a year makes. On this day last year we were buried under massive amounts of snow.
This year the mountain reminded us who was in charge. High winds and sideways rain. The roads were a couple inches of slush on top of solid ice.
We stopped at a nasty side hill. There just wasn't any pay off to pushing forward. Of course we still had fun. Looking forward to next year!
|
|
Iron Mountain Snowtrek - 12-19-2009
The snow gods have not been kind to us this winter. We haven't recieved any significant snow accumulation since the last time we went out a month ago.
There was still quite a bit of snow near the top of the mountain. We were able to explore one of the roads normally not accessible because of a massive snow drift that
forms every year.
|
|
Iron Mountain Snow Wheelin
11-21-09
First snow wheelin trip of the season. Quite a bit of snow for this time of year. We got to break trail all the way to the top of Iron Mountain.
Elevation ~4,300 feet. We really had to work at that last 500 feet to the summit. Had the mountain to ourselves except for a couple snowmobiles
and snowboarder. Check out the videos on the snowtube page.
|
|
Hangover Run 2009
01-01-09
I bring in every New Year wheelin in the snow. The snow was crazy deep. We didn't even make it half way up the mountain, much less the play area up top!
Unfortunately the snow level was rising faster than we were, so we were stuck in the rain most the day. When we quit, the snow was so deep that the road
almost didn't exist anymore, just one big sidehill that sucks you down.
|
|
Snow Run!
12-14-08
It's been a couple years, but I'm back in the saddle again. This time in my 1970 Bronco. This is the first real wheelin trip since I got it back on the road.
Nothing like a snow run to break it in. The fuel injection is sooo nice at higher elevations, much more power! Beautiful day in the Pacific Northwest!
|
|
Hangover Run 2008
1-01-08
Well I missed another year. My Bronco just isn't quite ready yet. EBSTEVE was kind enough to offer me a seat for the day.
Breaking trail was slow. Lots of down trees, and the snow was heavy, wet and melting fast. Just when the snow was starting
to change for the better, EBSTEVE popped a front axle and that was the end of that. Of course the worst day snow wheelin
will always be better than staying home....at least in my book.
|
|
Hangover Run 2007
1-01-07
Once again we brought in the New Year four wheeling in the Snow. It was cold and windy, but plenty of snow to have fun.
|
|
Iron Mountain Snow Wheelin
1-15-06
|
|
Hangover Run 2006
1-01-06
|
|
Iron Mountain Snow Wheelin
12-03-05
|
|
Hangover Run 2005
1-01-05
|
|
Evans Creek
11-20-04
|
|
Hangover Run 2004
1-01-04
|
|
Jacks Pass
12-14-03
|
|
Slide Mountain
2-22-03
|
|
Slide Mountain
1-25-03
|
|
Hangover Run 2003 - Jacks Pass, Wa
1-01-03
|
|
Walker Valley Snow Wheelin
3-17-02
|
|
Hangover Run 2002 - Martin Creek, Wa
1-01-02
|
|
Snow Wheelin on Mount Pilchuck
12-09-01
|
