Bean Creek Basin

Trip

Backcountry Ski/Snowboard - Earl Peak

Revised -- day trip to Earl Peak

  • M2 Advanced Ski, M3 Expert Ski
  • Challenging
  • Mileage: 6.2 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 2,900 ft
  • High Point Elevation: 7,036 ft
  • Pace: 800 ft/h

Revised:

29 Pines Campground @ 7:00AM

We will meet at the campground and caravan from there.   Hopefully the road will be driveable to at least where the Beverly Creek road leaves the NF Teanaway River Road.

Due to COVID-19, I reccommend carpooling  only with people with whom you already share close contact. 

Revised:  This trip has be delayed until later in the season so that it may be done as a day trip.    Hopefully the road will be drivable to at least to where the Beverly Creek road leaves the NF Teanaway River road.    The revised trip objective will be Earl Peak.

There is a flattish open area at around 5600 ft in Bean Creek basin that is suitable for a camp.   This location is roughly 8 miles and 2000ft from the 29 Pines Sno-Park. Or  3.5 miles, 1400 ft from the Beverly Creek Junction.    The approach also involved fording Bean Creek -- which could be challenging if the creek is running high.    I recommend bringing a pair of wetsuit socks or booties for fording the creek.    Some years a foot log is present -- but I prefer to avoid the risk of slipping of the log and falling in the creek compared to relative security of wading the creek.     If the creek is running really high it is also possible to follow the south side of the creek through denser forest to avoid this hazard. 

After we drop overnight gear,  we will makes some runs on the east facing slopes of Mary and Judy peaks before settling in for the night in camp.

For eating and sleeping arrangments -- due to COVID-19  I reccommend only sharing cooking/eating/sleeping  space with people  with whom you already share close contact. 

On Sunday we will head for Earl Peak -- following the hiking trail up to gain the SE ridge @ 6200 feet and then following the SE ridge to the summit.     The western side of Earl Peak sports several couloirs  -- the most northern one is challenging, but not extreme.    If conditions are favorable it can be a challenging and enjoyable run.

Route/Place

Bean Creek Basin



  • Green Trails Alpine Lakes East (Stuart Range) No. 208SX

    Green Trails Mt Stuart No. 209

    USGS Teanaway Butte

    USGS Mount Stuart

    USGS Red Top Mtn

    USGS Enchantment Lakes
  • See full route/place details.
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Required Equipment

Required Equipment

  • The Ten Essentials
  • Boots, skis/splitboard, poles (snowshoes not acceptable for uphill travel)
  • Climbing skins
  • Avalanche shovel (metal blade)
  • Avalanche beacon -- digital  only
  • Avalanche probe
  • Ski crampons
  • Self-arrest grip ski pole (recommended)
  • Boot crampons (optional)
  • Ice axe (optional)
Trip Reports