Cross-country Ski - Stampede Pass

This trip will be Co-Led by Chris Ensor and Cheri Solien. It is a challenging route on a road that may have a rough ungroomed trail that's steep in places. Backcountry classic skis recommended.

TRIP INFORMATION: snow conditions permitting, we will explore the trail to Stampede Pass from the Crystal Springs Snopark, exit 62 off I-90. 

 The way to Stampede Pass is mainly uphill after we cross the Iron Horse/P2C Trail and we will descend by the same route. The elevation gain is approximately 1,300 ft. Very little of our trail will be groomed for Nordic skiing and if present at all tracks will be only be set on the first part of our route. Beyond this, the trail is normally ploughed for snowmobiles but may not have been done so since the weekend before. The number of snowmobiles we encounter is likely to be small as this is a midweek trip.

If we are able to make good progress, we will probably have lunch at Lizard Lake, just beyond Stampede Pass.  We will ski back the same way way came up.

There is a potential avalanche slide zone along the route. As a back-up if there is high avalanche danger and conditions are not suitable to ski to Stampede Pass we will probably offer the road to Lost Lake that’s also from the Crystal Springs Trailhead. This is a similar distance on a much more sheltered trail. Its slightly easier and graded as an N2 standard route. 

Ski Ability Level: N3 Intermediate/Advanced

We will ski approximately 5-6 hours, cover close to 9 miles at a moderate pace and climb 1,300 ft.  This is a demanding, 9-mile N3 level roundtrip due to the lack of grooming and as most of the route is uphill on the way out and downhill back. Some of the slopes are quite steep and the trail can be rutty due to snowmobile traffic and cold overnight conditions. 

We will keep the group together. This will mean that faster skiers need to be prepared to stop and wait at every trail intersection for slower skiers to catch up and have the opportunity to rest.

To participate you need to be able to: balance on skis, kick and glide at a moderate pace, snowplow, brake, have stamina, and know how to ski up and down a hill including negotiating turns. Also, to sustain a wedge for considerable distances on the return downhill leg.

 Conditions: The conditions we will find on the day are difficult to predict in advance. When found difficult on past trips, some have opted to take off their skis and walk down some of the steeper sections. That's OK in very difficult conditions, but it can be tiring and it means others have to wait in possibly cold conditions.

 If you are uncertain of your ability and stamina to manage this type of trip please consult the leader.

Equipment: The going could be particularly tough for participants using classic track skis without metal edges and normal Nordic track ski boots. For this reason, Partial or Full Metal Edged Track or Back Country Skis are recommended for this trip. If you want to use any other skis please contact the leader.

If it has been a while since you’ve used your skis or you have a new set of equipment, please take a few moments before the date of the trip to make sure that all of your gear is at hand and in working order. Also please carry all the 10 essential including a waterproof jacket and warm inner layer to put on at times we are stationary.

 Snopark Parking Pass: A WA State Snopark Pass non-motorized day or season pass with special groomed sticker is required. If you do not already have this you can  buy a day pass or season pass on-line:

https://epermits.parks.wa.gov/Store/SNO/SnoChoice.aspx

 As a day-pass is $20, if you plan to go ski a few times this winter a season pass with groomed sticker combo ($40 + $40 = $80 total) will be more economical. As soon as you have ordered your pass  you will be able to print out a temporary pass that's good for about 2-3 weeks until your season pass arrives in the mail.

SKIING DURING COVID: This ski trip will follow the WA State Phased Approach to Reopening Business and Modifying Physical Distancing and the Mountaineers hiking guidelines for COVID-19 that apply on the date of this trip. Please remove yourself from any upcoming activity if you are unable or unwilling to follow The Mountaineers guidance at the time of the program.

CARPOOLING: Also, to help ensure your safety and the safety of our fellow skiers, the leaders asks that you only carpool to the trailhead with other members of your household registered for the same trip.  

PROTOCOL: All participants will need to have a face covering (mask, bandanna or muff), hand sanitizer and a backpack containing the 10 essentials. Wherever possible all group members will maintain the 6ft minimum social distancing protocol and be ready to pull up face covering over mouth and nose when this is not possible passing others on the trail and at the trailhead.

MORE INFORMATION: Full trip information will be emailed out to those who sign up soon after registration closes at 5pm on Jan. 24.  In the interim, please email any questions to the trip co-leader Cheri Solien csolien@gmail.com

9:30 am Crystal Springs Snopark, off I-90 Exit 62.

Directions to meeting place and other trip details will be emailed to all participants soon after registration closes opn Jan 24 at 5pm.