Backcountry Ski/Snowboard - Skyline Ridge to Tye Peak

7:30AM
Stevens Pass Parking lot G
https://goo.gl/maps/hmrnvXad7dAbPZeY9
Lot G is on the North side of the highway.  
Hopefully 7:30AM is early enough that there will be room in lot G.
The last time I parked there there weren't porta-potties in Lot G --  you might have to walk across the sky bridge to the lodge to attend to biological needs .

The 7:30AM meeting time is intended so that we arrive well in advance of the lift skiers and don't need to park in the overflow lots at Yodelin or the XC center and take the shuttle.    Also finishing up the tour by mid-afternoon has both the safety advantages of allowing more time before darkness falls in case of any complications and departing Stevens ahead of the bulk of lift skiers and hopefully avoiding stop and go traffic from Zeke's to Monroe on the way home.

At this time due to COVID-19, I'm discouraging carpooling with non-household members.   The trip plans and guidance may change at anytime due to changing conditions, this includes last minute cancellation.

Trip intended for folks looking to develop ski touring experience in a safe, relaxed and supportive environment.    Hard charging folks will likely find the pacing and cautious approach frustrating.

Here are two GPX tracks from  prior trips.
https://www.gaiagps.com/public/7LoqI2DhPAWflDfHOqkkorpL
https://www.gaiagps.com/public/het8W0yU1x8A4hvWVhEj5Vf9

We will vary from these GPX tracks  in several ways depending on conditions -- but this give you a general idea of the route.  Note especially that the 1/5 track the return route from 4600ft down the PCT at 4000ft was a fiasco in extremely tight timber -- we will not be repeating that mistake.

The general plan will be to skin up the road to and across Skyline Lake and to ridge and ski "the backside" down to about 4600ft and then skin up the far ridge to the top of Tye peak  (5476)  ski the east aspect of Tye peak and then skin back up our down tracks back toward Skyline Lake.  from that ridge we can either retrace our ascent route (skiing the clearcuts rather than the road) or take a more adventurous return on the east aspect slopes ofpoint 5447 down to the PCT  and return the parking lot by slogging up the PCT.   Exact route selection on the day will depend on conditions and group concensous.

Because we  plan on skiing "the backside"  and possibly "Moonlight" bowl I've given this trip an "M2" rating -- this mean you should be able to confidently ski "single black" ski runs at a resport. 

Note:  A Winter Storm Warning, Extreme Avalanche Forecast from NWAC, Freezing Rain or "Chains Required" on the highway will cancel the trip.  

Additional Info:

My Touring Tips
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ORz50-KICoi6mhjK2LsNFTqCrf3MpxuCYJsxm61dZ0k/edit?usp=sharing

My day touring ski pack contents:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tZvHTlJXqYwxn0sF7adqf5SWEqIXgFY5ELi-nQjfjfg/edit?usp=sharing

My Driving Tips:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zJFjWZQ5HXp8UE5pIgKP3ZwursgV_TmkaBGMWRYwN_s/edit?usp=sharing