Washington Ski Touring Club

WSTC 2007 - 2008 Trip List

Date	Level	Destination	Description	Coordinator
Saturday, 10/20	N/A	Blewett Pass	Work Party	Randy Oakley
Monday, Veteran's Day, 11/12	Easy	Snoqualmie Pass Area	Basic Road Ski: Road ski or hike if not enough snow. Deborah's world famous brownies are provided to all participants.	Deborah Dickstein
Sunday, 11/18	Easy	Snoqualmie Pass Area	Basic Road Ski: Road ski or hike if not enough snow. Deborah's world famous brownies are provided to all participants.	Deborah Dickstein
Wednesday-Sunday, 11/21-11/25	All levels	SilverStar, outside of Vernon, BC	Celebrate Thanksgiving at SilverStar Tele, classic, skate, even alpine and snowboard (the snow gods willing). Ski right from your door at the Pinnacles, a comfortable condo complex at the resort. includes four nights' lodging and turkey dinner.	Kris Loodus
Saturday or Sunday, 11/24 or 11/25/2007	Intermediate	TBD: Paradise area or other	Intermediate Backcountry Ski: Moderate backcountry trip. Location TBD depending on weather, snow conditions, and preferences of interested skiers. Brownies provided.	Deborah Dickstein
Thursday - Sunday, 12/13-12/16	All levels	Helmcken Falls Lodge	Groomed, Un-groomed Trail Ski: Cost:$50/night/person with 2 to 4 people in one room with two double beds and a private bath. Three meals are included. Lunch is a sack lunch, and if you want to eat lunch off the menu at the lodge, it is charged at menu rates. They also have a full licensed bar. The rooms do not have kitchens. Lodging: There is a lodge with large dinning room, and gift shop. The total number of guests that can be accommodated is 38 without doubling up in beds. The rooms are in three buildings, one with 11 rooms, and 2 with 4 rooms each. All buildings are log style. Trails: There are groomed and ungroomed trails. We think the grooming may be below the caliber of Methow, but we won't know until we've been there. There is no set track. The ungroomed trails follow summer hiking trails. Please reference their website for more specific details. We suspect that we can do our own backcountry route finding for those yo-yo hills, but we don't know yet how heavily treed or open some of these might be.....This sounds like adventure to me.	Lynn Tucker
Sunday, 12/9	Easy	Wenatchee Ridge Road #800 - Blewett Pass area	Easy road ski along Wenatchee Ridge: Basic un-groomed trail ski. My last two trips have enjoyed sunny weather and big views of the Enchantment Range and Mt. Stuart. If weather is windy and cold, sheltered trails in the Pipe or Iron Creek area will be used instead. We will stop for pie at the Liberty Cafe afterwards. Dogs welcome.	Randy Oakley
TBD (mid-December)	Beginner	Nordic Pass Loop	Backcountry Tour: This popular horseshoe-type loop begins at Snoqualmie Central Ski Area and ends at the Hyak Sno-Park. We will follow an un-groomed ski trail up through Rockdale Pass and onward to Nordic Pass. From there, a short but potentially fun backcountry descent leads to Windy Pass. We then connect the well-groomed Mt. Catherine Ski Trail and John Wayne Trail to reach Hyak. Gear: Light-weight or mid-weight no-wax Nordic touring skis and boots are ideal; skins are recommended.	Jim Brisbine
New Years weekend: Saturday-Tuesday, 12/29/07-1/1/08	All levels	River Run Inn - Methow Valley	Classic Track, Skate Ski: Stay at River Run Inn, located 1/2 mile North of Winthrop. Large six-bedroom, 3.5-bath house with newly remodeled kitchen. Accommodations for singles and couples, but must sign up with roommate for lottery selection. The house accommodates 12 people. Cost: About $130/person for the 3 nights, due at November meeting. Breakfasts and dinners shared. Trail pass is extra.	Carol Kennedy
Tuesday, 1/1/2008	Intermediate, but Strenuous	Lake Keechelus	Circumnavigate the Lake: It's about an 18 mile loop, with 1500 ft of elevation gain. The route will start from the Gold Creek Sno-Park and climbs about 1000 ft. along road 4832 to Resort Creek pond. The route then drops back down (quickly at first) and reaches the Lake Kachess road about 8 miles from the Gold Creek Sno-Park. This road is now "groomed for snowmobiles," which makes for easy skiing. When I've done this route in the past, I've encountered few sleds between the pond and the Lake Kachess road. I expect few sledders to be out on this morning. About 1 1/2 miles of road walking are needed to get across I-90 to the Crystal Springs Sno-Park. From there the "dog-sled" trails that leave from the north side of the Sno-Park to reach the Iron Horse trail. These groomed trails cruise pleasantly through the woods for about a mile before joining the Iron Horse trail. The final leg up the trail is about 7.5 miles of easy cruising. Recovery from this trek will be in the second floor lounge of the Old Milwaukee lodge at Hyak.	Randy Oakley
TBD	Intermediate	Tronsen Head Loop	Backcountry Tour: This fun and moderately strenuous loop begins and ends at Blewett Pass. Our route follows un-groomed ski trails up Tronsen Creek to the summit of Tronsen Head, which makes a scenic lunch spot. After lunch, we descend a series of glades and schuss into Haney Meadow. From there, we duck through Haney Gap and descend the open slopes below Tronsen Head, then wind through Tronsen Meadow on ungroomed roads to close the loop. Gear: Mid-weight no-wax Nordic touring skis and boots are ideal; skins are recommended	Jim Brisbine
Sunday, 1/13/2008	Intermediate Backcountry Skills or Better	Mount Margaret	Telemark, Backcountry: Good intermediate telemarking terrain. About 10 miles and 2500 ft. elevation gain round trip, climb up road and hiking trails, ski down through old growth forest and clear-cuts. About 2000 vertical ft. of turns. Intermediate or better backcountry skills. Dogs welcome.	Randy Oakley
Friday-Monday, 1/11-1/14	All levels	North Cascades Basecamp - Methow Valley	Classic, skate skiing: 175 km of groomed trails from your door. A classic WSTC trip. Cost approx $175, includes 3 nights lodging and all meals. Trail pass extra. Sign up with trip organizer by Oct. 26. 24 spaces for trip will be selected by random drawing on Oct 27. Payment due at/by Nov. meeting.	Carmi Weingrod
Saturday, 1/19/2008	Advanced	Blewett Pass area	Telemark: Diamond Head or similar destination. 3000 feet+ gain. Transceiver, skins, and shovel required.	Lee Wilcox
Friday-Monday, 1/18-1/21/2008 (MLK Weekend)	All levels	Helmcken Falls Lodge	Groomed, Ungroomed Trail Ski: Cost:$50/night/person with 2 to 4 people in one room with two double beds and a private bath. $100/night single. Three meals are included. Lunch is a sack lunch, and if you want to eat lunch off the menu at the lodge, it is charged at menu rates. They also have a full licensed bar. The rooms do not have kitchens. Lodging: There is a lodge with large dinning room, and gift shop. The total number of guests that can be accommodated is 38 without doubling up in beds. The rooms are in three buildings, one with 11 rooms, and 2 with 4 rooms each. All buildings are log style. Located near Clearwater, BC, north of Kamloops, approximately 8 hours from Seattle. Trails: There are about 35 km groomed and ungroomed trails. We think the grooming may be below the caliber of Methow, but we won't know until we've been there. There is no set track. The ungroomed trails follow summer hiking trails in Wells Gray Provincial Park. Please see the lodge's Website for more specific details.	Mindy Rowse 425-488-7256
Sunday, 1/27/08	Intermediate	Blewett Pass area	Swauk/Old Blewett/Iron Creek Traverse: A moderately challenging traverse-Ten miles of logging roads demand good conditioning and about a mile of roadless clearcuts to be traversed and descended requires good control of skis. After passing old Blewett pass we will pick up the Iron/Bear non-motorized area trails to return to HWY-97 - this route is slightly longer than descending via the old Blewett pass road - but avoids two stroke fumes. The last 4 miles of the route is all downhill. Celebrate at Sahara Pizza in Cle Elum afterwards. Dogs welcome.	Randy Oakley
Sunday, 1/27/08	Intermediate	Cabin Creek or Mt. Catherine Loop	Track Skiing: Weather willing, we will try for the John Wayne trail, at Cabin Creek, or up the Mt. Catherine Loop trail and return (not the complete loop). Choice will depend on preferences and skills of those who sign up, as well as snow conditions. (Mt. Catherine Loop requires a trail pass)	Mara Foley, Mary Erickson
Friday-Sunday, 2/1-2/3  (stay Friday & Saturday nights)	All levels track skiing	Leavenworth Area	Track Skiing: Groomed track skiing, available at three local areas. Cost: $90-110 per person includes two nights at Enzian Inn, breakfasts, free ski rentals, hot tub and heated pool. Trail passes $10 per day. Optional group dinner Saturday night at local restaurant. Individual ski lessons available from Leavenworth Winter Sports Club.	Russ Hamerly 206-525-9108 (h), 425-865-6728 (w)
Saturday, 2/9	Intermediate backcountry	Blewett Pass area	One-day ski/work party trip: Co-led by Deborah Dickstein and John Morrow, who is the lead wilderness ranger for the Cle Elum district of the US Forest Service. John is a very experienced backcountry skier and is committed to making the designated ski trails on Forest Service land more findable and followable. Trip will emphasize skiing; the work will involve mostly putting up blue diamonds to better mark the trails. A large group of WSTC folks did a fall work party with John and had a great time! Intermediate backcountry (exact route depends on conditions and skill/interests of the group). Brownies provided.	Deborah Dickstein 206-784-8741
Friday-Sunday, 2-8-2/10/08	Intermediate	Blewett Pass area	Table Mt. A-Frame Overnight: 10-person cabin reserved for Friday and Saturday nights. 5-mile ski in to cabin via XC trails, 7-8 miles via road. I'm working on arranging a snow-machine to haul in food and gear to the cabin. Dogs welcome.	Randy Oakley
TBD, February	Intermediate	Stevens Pass area	Nason-Smith Traverse: Tour: This moderately strenuous traverse begins at Stevens Pass and ends at the Smith Brook Road pullout. Our route initially follows the Pacific Crest Trail into Nason Creek, then heads steeply up forest slopes to Lake Valhalla. A short but steep climb (either skiing or booting) ends at Lichtenberg Pass, where a late lunch is taken. From the pass, we shed skins and enjoy a 1-mile descent through a series of glades and benches, ending at an ungroomed road. A 3-mile kick-and-glide down the road brings us to our cars at US-2. Gear: Mid-weight no-wax skis Nordic touring/turning skis and boots are ideal; skins are highly recommended; Avy beacons and shovels are required.	Jim Brisbine
Saturday-Sunday, 2/22-2/23	Intermediate	Mission Ridge to Blewett Pass	Hog Loppet: Classic or skate. A high traverse from the top of Mission Ridge Ski Area to Blewett Pass. This 21-mile event is not a race but a Hog Loppet (rough Swedish for citizen's high-country ski trek). The route begins at the top of the Mission Ridge Ski Area after a chairlift ride from the base. Spectacular views. The route is generally level with some ups and downs for 15 miles, then a long descent to 4100 foot Blewett Pass. There will be three aid stations with snacks, water and emergency equipment. For additional information and to find the registration form, visit skileavenworth.com.	Ken Gross
Sunday-Sunday, 2/24-3/2	Intermediate Backcountry Skills or Better	Purcells Range, B.C.	Backcountry Skiing with Ptarmigan Tours: Catered/guided/helicopter ride in/out. Max. 12 people. $1550 CDN approx includes all except food and gas while driving to and from. Any discounts will depend on how many spots we can fill - and a stronger US dollar See: ptarmigantours.com $400 deposits due Nov. 15.	Greg Woodman
Sunday-Thursday, 3/2-3/6	Intermediate Backcountry or Better	Wing Ridge, Joseph, Oregon	Wallowa Mountains Hut Trip: This year we will visit the Wing Ridge hut. The terrain accessed from this hut is open basins and ridges promising "turns a plenty" in Oregon's incredible Wallowa Mountains. The hut has a wood-fired sauna for relaxing after each day's tour. The two-mile ski in to the hut gains 1100 vertical ft. from the Sno-Park. Drive down and stay in Joseph, Oregon Saturday and tour into the hut Sunday morning. Enjoy five nights in the hut and four full days of skiing. Costs: $150 per person hut fee plus accommodations in Joseph plus shared dinners. Hut fee due by January 15th. More info: www.wingski.com	Randy Oakley
Saturday, March 8	Intermediate groomed	Mt Tahoma Trails near Ashford	Copper Creek Hut: Up to 9 miles round-trip, approx 1000' gain.  We'll ski trails to the hut for lunch and perhaps beyond.  If clear, we'll have great views of Mt Rainier.  Sno-Park permit required. Mt Tahoma Trails info:  www.skimtta.org	Linda Moore 425-347-7650 (before 9 PM, weekdays)
Sunday, 3/16	Intermediate backcountry	Blewett Pass area	One-day ski/work party trip: Co-led by Deborah Dickstein and John Morrow, who is the lead wilderness ranger for the Cle Elum district of the US Forest Service. John is a very experienced backcountry skier and is committed to making the designated ski trails on Forest Service land more findable and followable. Trip will emphasize skiing; the work will involve mostly putting up blue diamonds to better mark the trails. A large group of WSTC folks did a fall work party with John and had a great time! Intermediate backcountry (exact route depends on conditions and skill/interests of the group). Brownies provided.	Deborah Dickstein 206-784-8741
Sunday, 3/23	Intermediate Backcountry Skills or Better	Stevens Pass Area	Lichtenberg Mountain Telemark: Good intermediate/advanced Telemark trip. About 10 miles and 2800 vertical ft. elevation gain round trip. Ski up Smith Brook road to 4000 ft., then cross creek and ascend ridgelines to summit. Dogs welcome.	Randy Oakley
Sunday, 4/6	Intermediate	Paradise Area	Cowlitz Rocks Telemark: Nice intermediate telemark trip. About 8 miles and 2600 vertical ft. elevation gain round trip.	Randy Oakley
April 11-13, 2008 (Friday & Saturday nights)	Intermediate Backcountry	Scottish Lakes	Scottish Lakes High Camp: Head in Friday evening by snow cat from Hwy 2, stay 2 nights in cabins, ski 2 full days. A classic WSTC trip and an opportunity for new club members to meet and ski outstanding terrain. Food not provided. Option exists to stay extra night for additional payment. Entire camp reserved - 36 spots to fill. Cost: $158.40 for 2 nights (Fri. & Sat.) and transportation for you and your gear up/down the mountain. $13 rebate if you ski up from mid-mountain, but you must tell me/High Camp in advance. Add Thursday night for additional $40, or Sunday night for additional $48. Payment due by March meeting. See the Scottish Lakes High Camp Website for more information.	Jorie Wackerman
Sunday, 5/4	Intermediate Backcountry Skills or Better	Teanaway Area	Bean Creek Basin / Earl Peak Telemark: Very enjoyable spring skiing trip. Big views of Mt Stuart and the Enchantments from ridgelines. The slopes in Bean Creek basin are intermediate level with lots of choices of slope aspect. If conditions are favorable, ascending and descending Earl peak is a challenge requiring more advanced skills. Exact date flexible -- Best to have the road melted out to or close to the trailhead. Approximately 8 miles and 3500 vertical ft. Recovery dinner at Sunset Cafe in Cle Elum. Dogs welcome.	Randy Oakley
4/25-4/27	Intermediate Backcountry or Better	Crystal Mountain	TBD	Kris Loodus
Friday-Monday, 5/23-5/26	Intermediate Backcountry or Better	Goat Rocks Area	Goat Rocks / Mt. Curtis Gilbert / Meade Glacier: Drive down Friday afternoon and camp at or near the South Fork Tieton / Conrad meadows trailhead at 4000ft. Saturday morning hike and ski 5 miles to camp near Surprise lake at 5400ft. On Sunday enjoy good skiing on the Meade glacier between 6300ft and 7700ft -- Scramble to the summit of Gilbert peak (8184 ft.) if conditions are favorable. Monday ski a bit more and hike out. Recovery dinner at Bob's Keg and Cork brew pub in Yakima.	Randy Oakley
Saturday 6/14	Intermediate Backcountry or Better	Sunrise Area	Telemark/Randonee trip: The first weekend that the road is open; transceiver, skins, and shovel required; distance, elevation gain up to group.	Ron Steingold

TRIP ORGANIZERS WANTED: To organize day trips or multi-day trips to most anywhere! Contact coordinators Jim Brisbine, Chris VanBemmel, or Ron Steingold for trip-planning sources.

WSTC Rules of the Road

WSTC Trip coordinators Jim Brisbine, Chris VanBemmel, and Ron Steingold welcome suggestions and volunteers to organize trips. The club has enthusiasts for all kinds of "freedom of the heels" skiing, with the basic divisions being touring, track, and telemark/randonee skiing. The trips generally emphasize one or another, and it's best if your equipment matches the others in the group. However, on some trips a variety of free heel skiing is available.

Participation in WSTC trips is limited to club members. All club members will have an equal opportunity to join any club trips for which they are qualified. Sign up for trips at the monthly meetings or contact the organizer(s). Please, no signups for trips with same dates. As a courtesy to trip organizers and other members, trip organizers expect to receive prompt notification from any trip participant who must cancel.

Trip payments & cancellations . Expenses for trips are shared equally by all participants including the organizer(s). Carpooling is important, particularly for day trips, and the club suggests that each rider will reimburse the driver at the rate of 10c/mile. Organizers of multi-day trips generally require full payment of lodging costs at the time the trip lists are finalized. Advance payments or deposits for trips are usually non-refundable, unless a replacement is found. Please make any requested payments by due dates, or you risk being replaced or dropped from the trip.

The trip organizers are volunteers and can take no special responsibilities. Safety is important, but it is a group responsibility that all participants share equally.

We're looking for more trips of any kind. We would like to see more day trips, beginner / adv. beginner trips, family-oriented trips, short-notice trips, "thematic" trips (maybe a "murder mystery" trip?), and perhaps a skijoring trip. New trip listings should be submitted to trip coordinators at least two days prior to meeting or newsletter deadline.

Need help with trip ideas? Look for trip coordinators at WSTC meetings for information and a look at guidebooks for planning day & multi-day trips.

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