Distance: 5.4 mi.
Elevation Gain: 2900 ft.
We got a surprise snow storm in April and decided to ski on the Skyline Lake Trail by Stevens Pass Ski Resort. The trail itself was in high use by hikers and snowshoers, so it was easy to follow. We reached Skyline Lake at 10:15 AM and skinned around the northern edge of it.
We popped over the ridge north of the lake and did a short ski down the north slopes. There was some good powder to be found. Then we put on skins and traversed northwest to the ridge between Sky and Tye Mountains. We curled around left (south) to summit Sky Mountain. We had lunch, then skied a tiny bit south from the summit and then down east back into the bowl.
From there we skinned farther east just above Skyline Lake, then skied down across the north and east sides of the lake and continued skiing down the Skyline Lake Trail, cutting off switchbacks on our skis. The snow became very heavy and gloppy so we eventually got back on the trail, although it was still pretty crowded with hikers. We got out around 3 PM.
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Gear Used:
- Avalanche beacon/shovel/probe
- Backcountry boots/skis/skins
- Glacier glasses
- GPS
- Helmet
- Trekking poles
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