This is an early season explore into the Bean Creek Basin on the Enchantment Lakes USGS quad with 4,000 elevation gain and 12 miles round trip. The North Fork Teanaway River road (NFD-9737) is not snow free to the Bean Creek turn-off and so we'll walk along the road from NFD-111 (elevation 2,800 ft) just past the NF Ranger Cabin for 1.5 miles to the Bean Creek turn-off. From there we'll continue along the Bean Creek road for another 1.0 mile to the footbridge and then we'll follow the Bean C... More

This is an early season explore into the Bean Creek Basin on the Enchantment Lakes USGS quad with 4,000 elevation gain and 12 miles round trip. The North Fork Teanaway River road (NFD-9737) is not snow free to the Bean Creek turn-off and so we'll walk along the road from NFD-111 (elevation 2,800 ft) just past the NF Ranger Cabin for 1.5 miles to the Bean Creek turn-off. From there we'll continue along the Bean Creek road for another 1.0 mile to the footbridge and then we'll follow the Bean Creek trail north into the basin. At 4,800 ft we'll ascend the west to the saddle south of Earl Peak, and then we'll follow the ridge north to the summit. Google maps indicates about 111 miles and 2 hrs 15 min drive time from the Green Lake 65th P&R so those interested in carpooling should plan on meeting at 5:00AM. Also, if there are other carpool meeting places that make more sense than the 65th P&R please email this group with suggestions on carpool meeting place alternatives. For those unfamiliar with the TH, take exit 85 off of I-90 for WA-970 North, and in about 7 miles turn left on Teanaway River Road. Continue on, taking the North Fork. In about 15 miles from WA-970 you'll come to a NF cabin on the right and a NFD-111 turn-out on the left, and this is about as far up the road as the snow will allow. Given the winter conditions, please bring: • ice axe • snow shoes & crampons • helmet • one shovel per four people • 10 essentials for winter travel (plenty of layers) • There’s a chance we’ll be walking out on the road in near darkness, so make certain you have a functioning headlamp with fresh batteries and spares. Group gear we’ll distribute at the TH includes: • Rope • Stove • Shovels • Sleeping bag, bivvy, and insulation layer (I’ll carry these) Please call or email with questions.

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