Van Epps and Lake Ann
Salmon La Sac, Saturday, 04/03/04

Myself, Ryan (akturbo), Jason (Macattack) and Brent (MC2STROKE) rode out to Van Epps and played there all day with no one else around. It was our first time out that way - pretty cool area. Leaving Van Epps, we took the Scatter Creek trail for a while but decided to double-back and play at Lake Ann instead. Did 65 miles (mostly track spinning on hillclimbs!), got some great spring riding in, had beautiful weather and snapped a few pictures of Mt. Stuart! Not sure about the other guys, but I was pretty wiped the next day...

First tracks into Gallagher
Salmon La Sac, Saturday, 03/27/04

We were the first to make tracks into Gallagher today... A W E S O M E conditions!!! There was at least 12-18" of new powder on top of that "go anywhere" base. It was nice powder all morning but you could totally see several layers underneath that newest covering. By afternoon, it had gotten heavier and heavier and became the kind of packing snow perfect for snowballs. On the runs that were avy questionable, we took a pass or two and moved on to the next. Coming down from several of our climbs, we were plowing snow well over the hood as it was piling up 8-10 feet out in front of the sled. We had so much to play on right there at Gallagher Head that we didn't even need to push further along that backside area on Hawkins. We climbed the heck out of those slopes - I blew just about a whole tank of gas in 40 some odd miles.

Not many people out today at all - there were no tracks on the trails into Lake Ann either when we passed by. Our only complaint was poor visibility.

Mt. Jefferson...to the top!
Island Park Day 4, Thursday, 03/18/04

Day 4, you guessed it, started out with a gas run... Grabbed the kids and any last day leisure riders and went to fuel up. Did the Shotgun trail to Flat Rock trail, over to Macks Inn, up to IP Village and back down Stamp Meadows to Winchester Lodge. 23 miles...

Later that afternoon, Ken, Don and I took off for Mount Jefferson... well actually, I was only hoping to make it as far as the waterfall I heard about on the north side (up South Fork). Since we had started out so late in the afternoon, I really didn't think we'd make it all the way in to this renowned snowmobile peak.

Going up South Fork Duck Creek was pretty easy - there were 3 good climbs, 2 of which could have passed for frozen waterfalls. Not far after the last pull, we ended up in the Rock Creek Basin and at the base of Jefferson...very much to our surprise! What an amazing bowl - nothing like we'd ever seen before. It was awesome!! Ken and I took several runs up the slopes. On one of of my runs, I could have reached out and skimmed my hand across the very top of the ridge. I would have tried if I hadn't been locked on the handlebar waiting to turn and burn on anything that felt like it was going to break loose. What a total rush!!

We made a few more high marks on Jefferson and then moved east a bit to climb what I think was Yahoo Chute (we saw some riders come down this run earlier). At the top was a small landing area where I was able to stop and take a decent pic of Reas Peak before the wind whipped up and practically blew us off. If there were any tracks to follow that would've helped us navigate down the other side into Hell Roaring Creek, they had quickly disappeared from those heavy gusts.

On our way home, we tried to leave the area down Rock Creek in hopes it would connect up with Tyler Creek (which would have dumped us out right onto Stamp Meadows, within 5 miles from the cabin). Unfortunately, based on time of day (nearing 6:30pm), the amount of gas left (1/4 tank) and being totall new to the area, we decided to turn around and go back out the way we came in. I really wanted to find the way out via Tyler Creek but I guess it'll have to wait until next year. As it was, this ride alone made my entire week!

Race Runs and Black Canyon Burn Area
Island Park Day 3, Wednesday, 03/17/04

Day 3 had to start with a another gas run... On our way to IP Village, we stopped and raced each other in the open flats just off the Stamp Meadows/Red Rock Pass trail intersection. After refueling, we took off towards Big Springs and up the Black Canyon Loop trail in search of the "Black Canyon Burn Area". We were told to go here for a play area that would satisfy the widest range of skill levels in our group! When we arrived at a point that looked like a burn area, we played there for the afternoon and everyone seemed satisfied. ...that is, until we continued along the rest of the Black Canyon Loop on our way home and found the real burn area!

This entire stretch of land, popularly known as the "Black Canyon Burn Area", is mile after mile of scarred landscape from a forest fire that took place in the late 80's. What we found here were toothpick trees as far as the eye could see, leaving exposed, every type of terrain imaginable from rolling hills to steep climbs, cornice jumps...you name it! We all felt like we missed out as there was no more time in the day (or gas in the tanks) to stop here for any length of time. This is a place we will definitely come back to next year.

Gas Run and Reas Peak
Island Park Day 2, Tuesday, 03/16/04

Second day started with a needed gas run. This was another "kids and family" ride since we'd stick to all groomed trails round-trip. From Winchester Lodge (where we stayed), we headed up Stamp Meadows Road over to IP Village and fueled up. The return was to Macks Inn, across Hwy 20 to the Flat Rock trail and back to the cabin via the Shotgun trail. 25 miles...

The second half of the day was a "guys ride" to hit it hard, reach a high country destination and work the pent-up adrenaline out of the system. We decided to go up to Reas Peak via Blue Creek. It was real easy to find based on good directions from Notorious LDP who knows the area well (it helped to have a well-beaten-down path to follow too). We got up there in no time, even with a good play stop along the way... Unfortunately at the top of Reas, a weather system moved in and fog filled the area fast. Couldn't see the top 2/3 of Mt. Jefferson but did see/hear people playing down at the end of Willow Creek. We rode the ridge over one canyon (to Dry Canyon) but still couldn't see much and decided it was too steep for some in the group. We did find another smaller bowl to play in near the top and just stayed out of the clouds/fog. On our way back down we detoured again over to Dry Creek, found an area with stump jumps and hung out there before heading home. 31 miles...

Big Springs and Mount Two Top
Island Park Day 1, Monday, 03/15/04

First day of our trip in Island Park, Idaho was to Big Springs. From there, we continued on to Mount Two Top. It was a "kids and family" ride with this being the first time Taylor and Keaton rode with us. Several others in the group hadn't ridden in a long time or were out for their very first ride ever so we took it relatively easy. The area had gotten no new snow in a while but the groomed routes were in great condition! The day was warm although it was pretty windy up on Two Top as we rode out along the ridge as far as everyone was comfortable.

King Bowl and Rolly Polly
Stampede Pass, Saturday, 03/06/04

The past few days made up for the lack of new snow in February... 23" fell since Wednesday according to the Snoqualmie Snowfall Report.

Today was our first time to the "King Bowl"...we were also the first tracks in which made it even more awesome!! GREAT place to play - especially with so muh new snow!! Great hillclimb slopes of varying angles, adjacent to rolling hills, drift jumps and a taste of real backcountry through-the-trees type riding you find in other places. We then wandered over to "Rolly Polly" for a while - fun place too but strictly hillclimbs. As we were heading down from this area, we passed a SAR toboggan going up. Later, we learned of three people that got buired by an avalanche in King Bowl - all survived despite no one wearing a beacon (one did need to be aitlifted out due to low body temps)! Talk about luck...

We finished the day in a play area up above the south shore of Lost Lake followed by a few runs up and down "Freeway Hill". I had a great day but Matti might beg to differ... too much riding in Flatland, er, I mean Finland over the past month.

Guide-a-Ride
Stampede Pass, Saturday, 02/28/04

Dixie and I took six of our neighbors up for a 1/2 day ride. About half had never ridden before while the other half rode maybe once or twice before. The trails were absolutely perfect for new riders - groomed like silk! We started out towards Lost Lake along the north shore. Within the first 5 minutes of playing in the area just before you head up to Cottonwood Lake, Tim found "the sinkhole". Luckily, it didn't take too long to get it out with four guys.

We continued along groomed routes all day, stopping and playing where the comfort level worked for everyone. One of the fun stops we made was a play area around Dandy Creek just north of Dandy Pass (as the crow flies). After hanging out there for an hour or so, we did a quick run out to the weather station and finally ended with a few runs up and down the power lines. Most were sore the next day but all had a great time.

Cooper Lake Night Ride
Salmon La Sac, Thursday, 02/19/04

Did a night ride with KCSR up around Cooper Lake. Beautiful clear night...so many stars I couldn't believe it! After a few mechanical problems with two sleds in the group, we headed out toward Cooper Pass and the No Name Trailhead. Lots of fresh snow to play in and no one around. We tried to follow the No Name Trail across the ridge but was too hard to find in the dark so we turned around and headed out to the "Honolulu Bowl".

It was about 11pm by now and the silouette of Box Ridge across the way was incredible! Since the entrance to Honolulu was passable (usually windblown I'm told), we followed the road along No Name Creek to where it ends at the north base of Thorp Mountain. I can't wait to see this area in the daytime!

Night Ride Stress Reliever
Stampede Pass, Tuesday, 01/27/04

A lot of snow has fallen in the past 3 days, 25" total (9" on Sat, 8" on Sun and another 8" on Mon)! Brian, Matti, myself and Dixie just wanted to get out and work off some stress! We played out near Lost Lake, then behind the I-90 viewpoint as we made our way back via Stampede Pass. Not a long ride but enough to get the job done.

Table Mountain and out to Liberty
Reecer Creek, Saturday, 01/24/04

Brian and I tried to hook up with a KCSR ride at Reecer. I-90 was closed from 6-10am due to an accident at Snoqualmie, so we decided to go around via Steven's (the ride was supposed to start at 8am). 175 miles later, we're finally on the trail by 11am. KCSR was no where in sight so we rode around places I was somewhat familiar with (I had only been up to Blewett/Reecer twice before).

We first went out to High Creek from Riders Cabin and back. Then we did a loop to Liberty (down Cougar Gulch, up Lion Gulch), which is something I've wanted to do. Had I known we were only 6 miles from Mineral Spring Resort, we would have had a nice hot meal... On our way home, we took the Naneum Meadow Trail down from the top of Table Mountain which was pretty cool.

In thinking back, for the travel time/distance it took to get there, we should have just detoured up to Canada or Mt. Baker!

Cascade Concrete all the way to Green Pass
Stampede Pass, Saturday, 01/17/04

Brian and I thought another attempt at Green Pass would be fun today. No new snow in quite a while, cold temps making it "go anywhere" conditions... It was cascade concrete just about the whole way, washboards knee deep in places, icy... what was I thinking?? Maybe I had water on the brain that thawed earlier in the week!

Once we got on to the 70XX road system, the hard-packed frozen conditions definitely made some of the side-hill traversals real interesting. When we reached the water tank, we hung a right to try the route I've seen on CDS maps. No go - too frozen and windblown over. We went back to try the route we didn't finish on Jan 3rd. Much easier this time over the top and on to Green Pass with only a few more challenges along the way (fallen trees, more icy sidehills, nerves on the verge). Even after all this we still pressed on up the steep climb to the ridgetop of the bypass. Yeah... So at the point where the trees get real tight, I found an ice patch that hindered my forward momentum as I slipped back against a tree to figure out our next move - back down - best decision of the day.

Going down actually wasn't too bad but I also finally put a set of chains in my seat compartment just in case I have to do that again. Before heading home, we took at run out to the burnt forest to see if maybe we could meet up with the 70 road right there at Pyramid Peak sno-park. No go on that one either - the fog at the shoulder was, once again, very thick! Ok, one last try taking advantage of the go-anywhere snow...we backtracked a bit and then cut a path up and along the narrow top of the ridge above the road we were just on. At the same spot, but higher now, the fog conditions weren't any clearer. Ahhh, the elusive 7038 road snuffed us again. ...and the rough ride home was brutal...

Today was one of those days I wished we stayed home.

KCSR Call-out
Stampede Pass, Thursday, 01/08/04

The official call-out took place early Thursday morning. Several of us were out looking most of the day... first out towards the microwave towers, then closer in to the sno-park based on new information. By late afternoon, the subject was found only a few miles from the sno park, buried under a foot of snow, on a road no one travels because the entry is always windblown (and it doesn't go anywhere anyway).

The guy basically missed a corner on the main groomed route and dropped into a ravine. Searchers would have been looking for days had the "good samaritian" (guy who gave him the ride out) not heard the news coverage and come forward to show the EXACT ravine he found the stranded rider on Sunday.

What's the lesson here? This person died because he went to recover his sled without help. Call it pride, ego or stupidity - he would have still been around to ride again had he gathered up some friends, rented a come-along and pulled it back up onto the trail rather than continue down the ravine alone.

Area Sweep
Stampede Pass, Wednesday, 01/07/04

Word on the street was that a snowmobiler had been reported missing since Monday. Apparently, this individual got his sled stuck on Sunday, caught a ride out and decided to hike back in on Monday to get it out. The info we had told us he was only 5 miles out of the sno-park, just off the main trail. So a few of us went up and did a quick sweep of the area hoping to find this guy or the machine. 9pm at night, snowing heavily and very windy, the drifts in places were like huge ocean waves - especially on the backside of the Stampede Pass loop. Unfortunately, we found nothing along the way...

Green Pass Attempt
Stampede Pass, Saturday, 01/03/04

Brian, Matti, Tim and myself tried to hit Green Pass from Stampede today. Unfortunately, the snow was too deep and soft to make it all the way. The visibility wasn't exactly great so that added to the complexity. ...but we had fun trying anyway! On our way home, we took off out towards Lester, up 54 and over to Meadow Pass. Played there for a while and found tracks going down to Stirrup Lake. 70 miles later, we were beat. When we returned to the truck, there was 6-8" of new since that morning.

Fun in the Sun
Stampede Pass, Monday, 12/29/03

Matti ditched work so he and I could play up at Stampede. ...and what a great decision that was. The weather was clear and sunny all day long!! The trails, on the other hand, were pretty rough until you got somewhere way out off the main routes. We ended up exploring out the 5060 road and up to Bald Mountain and the "Lester Lookout". We found plenty of untouched play areas on the way and the amount of new powder in those hotspots was perfect.

Playin' in the Meadows
Greenwater, Friday, 12/26/03

Brian, LaVonne, Matti, Dixie and myself went up for an "easy" ride at Greenwater today... mostly played in the meadows will all the fresh snow that had fallen over Christmas and eventually made our way up to Green Pass. From the looks of this year's Washington State Parks Trail Map, they're going to be grooming a loop via Green Pass around the north side of Pyramid and Colquhoun Peaks back down to the sno-park?? That's kind of a bummer... it used to be real fun navigating that 1913 road up to Green Pass and blasting through all the wind-blown drifts.

South Cle Elum to WJL
Taneum, Saturday, 12/13/03

I hooked up with the Cascade Drift Skippers for a ride out of Woods & Steel Sno-park to Whistlin' Jacks through Taneum and Manastash. The amount of fresh power was amazing! We were cutting new tracks almost all day... didn't get too terriibly stuck but there were plenty of opportunities to do so if you didn't stay up on that throttle. Still had to be careful about off-trail riding since there were so many stumps just below the surface. Hopefully the snow will set up nicely this week and KEEP ON FALLING BABY!!

Leavenworth Get-away Day 3
Mountain Home Lodge, Saturday, 12/06/03

We spent our third day riding the area around Mountain Home Lodge (where we stayed). The first part of the day was spent up as far as we could go on Wedge Mountain, took in great views of Leavenworth, then continued a few spur roads out towards Allen Creek. On our return, we headed out to Boundary Butte before heading back to the Lodge via Canyon Creek Trail. Later that afternoon, we broke trail on some of the hiking routes including Ridge Ride Trail, Overlook Loop Trail and out to Peshatin Lookout for a pretty nice view. By this time, we were both pretty wiped and ready for the hot tub...

Leavenworth Get-away Day 2
Lake Wenatchee, Friday, 12/05/03

We didn't have plans to ride on day two but Dixie had so much fun yesterday, she was all for going out again. This time we tried to find Sugarloaf Peak coming up from Van Creek. Unfortunately, we never made our intended destination due to a wrong turn and ended up going out Eagle Creek and into Derby Canyon. We had fun anyway but next time, we'll have to bring the correct map!

Leavenworth Get-away Day 1
Lake Wenatchee, Thursday, 12/04/03

Dixie and I spent four days in Leavenworth as a long weekend get-away. We planned day one in the Lake Wenatchee area and decided to check out SnoCone and a few of the loop trails nearby. Heading out from the Airstrip Sno-park, we found the snow to be a little thin but only touched ground on the north shore of Fish Lake. After we got up in elevation, the conditions got much better as we tried to pick the roads that hadn't been tracked yet. Although being a weekday, there weren't too many other people out anyway.

The one thing that impressed us most about this area was how well it was marked. The trail signs and numbering system here were super easy to follow! Every leg of a trail was numbered (i.e. 4A, 4B, 4C, etc.) and every intersection had a sign with a map. The only challenge we had was finding the trail back to the Airstrip Sno-park around the south end of the lake from the Fisk Lake Sno-park. Other than that, I bet this place has amazing views on clear sunny days.

Workin' off the Turkey
Gold Creek, Saturday, 11/29/03

This was the traditional "Work Off The Turkey" ride. Not wanting to go far, we did a quick run on roads we haven't been on yet at Gold Creek (specifically up to the radio tower and down Price Creek). Matti was also still breaking in his new sled and this was Brian's first ride since his injury early last season (See "Soaking Wet" at Gold Creek on 01/25/03).

Season Opener
Stampede Pass, Wednesday, 11/26/03

The last time we had snow in November was 1996. Normally at this time of year, we're just hoping for at least enough accumulation to get that first ride in the day after Thanksgiving. This year, however, is already shaping up way beyond expectation... The amount of snow on the ground already obviously caused a craze and we couldn't wait another day!! ...not to mention Matti got a new Ski-Doo Summit and was itching to try it out. So we worked in a night ride at Stampede Pass... lots of new snow, not much of a base, but it sure was fun and good to get out again!

*Snow depth statistics based on the Snoqualmie Snowfall Report.
**Snow depth statistics based on the Avalanche Report for Crystal Mountain.
***Snow depth statistics based on the SNOTEL Site #860 (White Elephant).
Use on these pages for purposes of general seasonal comparisons.

Trail Maps
For additional TOPO! maps of snowmobile trail systems in Washington, visit our Trail Maps page.

...or read our trip logs from other riding seasons.