After another cold night in the Puget Lowland, we took advantage
of exceptional snow conditions for a cross-country ski up and down Amabilis
Mountain. Last year’s worst snowpack in recorded history reminds us that we
should all “do it now” because you just don’t know…
The parking lot at Cabin Creek was not nearly as crowded as
I expected, but there were still plenty of people decked out in their Nordic finest.
But as soon as we turned right to head uphill, we left the crowds behind. Most
people just don’t bother skiing uphill 2100 ft of elevation gain so they can
ski downhill 2100 ft again. The 10-mile round trip probably doesn’t appeal to
everyone either.
One guy passed us and asked if our skis were for
telemarking. Yes, the skis are capable of that. The bodies, and more
specifically the knees, do not telemark. These metal edges are for slowing my
descent in snowplow position. My downhill skiing skills could best be described
as “baby-giraffe-learning-to-walk,” but I like going uphill. It’s weird, I
know.
We passed several newly downed trees across the trail that
would have been pretty easy to see in time coming downhill, but by the time we
returned some industrious folks with a chainsaw had made short work of one 18-inch diameter fir. Thanks trail maintenance crew!
The snow was in the best groomed condition I’ve ever found
on Amabilis, and a far cry from the blue ice, bruises-in-the-making that can
sometimes occur in the finicky Snoqualmie corridor. Not this year though –
packed power with tracks for the skinny skis and not a bit of ice.
Clouds surrounded us down low, but as we crested the ridge
around 4000 ft, the clouds dropped away and revealed the amazing views across
Kachess Lake to Mount Daniel in the distance. Sweeping west we could pick out Bears
Breast and Lemah Mountain as well. Looking right into the sun at Rainier
revealed the vast amount of snow blowing from its highest points. I was glad
Amabilis maxed out at 4550 ft and not 14,410 ft!
A few other skiers and snowshoers shared the views with us.
Most of them smiled. A few gruff folks just stared as we said hello – maybe we
had snotsicles? Every branch and needle seemed to glitter with faceted crystals that grew into diamonds over the past night or two. One benefit to the
high-moisture Cascade Concrete snow – it sticks to the trees and sags into
fantastical shapes of frosted cakes!
On the way down, I slowly lost feeling in different fingers
and toes cruising down the groomed trail. After not skiing last year because of
the poor snowpack, my muscles were filling with lactic acid on the climb. But
at least climbing kept the blood pumping to all digits! Next time I need a
balaclava to keep my nose from freezing, too. And maybe some more squats and lunges
at the Y….
After about 30 minutes of cruising, snowplowing, and a few
surprise balance checks by the baby giraffe, we were back at the trailhead and
ready to rewarm the toes.
Adventure #: 2
Activity: Cross country ski
Date: January 2, 2016
Friends: Jim
