I had a great day up at Marys Peak. Bit of a death march as it was 13 miles round trip for relatively few turns. I parked at the first high spot on the road about MilePost 3.5 in about 12 – 18” of snow. I skinned up to Conner Camp at MP5.5 but the East Ridge trail was blocked by fallen trees. Another day when I drive to there I will try it again but it was tough to tell if there was enough snow to ski it as there was less snow under the trees. So I continued skinning up the road to the main parking lot at MP 9.5. From there it is 1/2 mile to the summit. No wind to speak of but drifting overcast as you can see in the photos. Two other folks had skied to the top. There was a good 3 feet of light dry snow with some drifting. Gorgeous day. Nice ski back to the road below the parking lot and then a fun run down the road to 1/2 mile from my truck. Then boot tracked up the incline back to my truck. I could have put chains on and driven up further but I only saw 4 trucks coming down the road and they had chewed up the road pretty badly. Some trees had come down and some were bent over, so being by myself and no chain saw, decided to ski from lower down. More folks drove up later in the day. The only real downside to Mary Peak is that the road is not plowed (for the past 20 years) and a lot of knuckleheads drive up the road and get stuck blocking the road. Being parked low down helped a bit. But the road is drivable to the summit parking lot with a high clearance rig and chains (see pic). Best option is to go up early and hope for the best on the way down. It is likely best just to head up to Santiam Pass, but Marys Peak can be beautiful under rare conditions, like this week when it is cold and the snow deep.
Mary’s PeakMary’s PeakHoodoo
Hoodoo
Trip Report
From Bob Young: Too much of a good thing? Well, maybe. With clear skies on Tuesday a number of people were getting out to get on the anxiously awaited snow. Those who sought XC had to work hard to set deep tracks but the snow was cold, slick, and soft. Bianca Klar, Howard Simon, and I took advantage of Hoodoo not being open yet and did some climb and tele. Groomers were packing many of the main runs which helped with the climbing and there were plenty of untracked slopes for nice downhill runs. Howard and Bianca climbed to the top twice. I stuck to some lower runs but still got plenty of workout for a first day on the snow. Let’s all get out there soon and take advantage of scheduled tours. With a number of trail breakers we can get to some great destinations.
It’s December 5th as I write this and where is our skiable snow? Several light dustings have occurred, but each melted away. Thanksgiving is past, mid-December approaches and the Cascades still offer nothing but bare rock. When will we ski? Well, as on so many subjects, Shakespeare offers wise counsel to those forlornly waiting for the snow:
If it be now, ‘tis not to come; if it be not to come, it will be now; if it be not now,
yet it will come. The readiness is all.
Hamlet, Act V, Scene i
So heed the words of the Bard. Be patient…and wax the boards.
Footnote: 12/10/2021, nine inches of snow on Santiam Pass and more on the way!
WEEKEND DAY TOURS
Under current COVID-19 safety guidelines it is possible to resume the club’s scheduled ski tours. However, individual members should assess their risk carefully before deciding whether to ski with a group. We are responsible for our own safety. No one should participate in a club tour if they have symptoms that might indicate Coronavirus infection. The Willamette Chapter will require everyone to be vaccinated to participate in club tours. Tour leaders may require proof of vaccination. Carpooling to the trailhead is an individual choice. Those who carpool should wear a face covering as a precaution. Tourers should maintain 6’ social distance at all times and wear face coverings when social distancing is not possible.
Guests are welcome on Willamette Chapter day tours. Please contact the tour leader for details and to ensure the tour matches your interests and skill level.
We need more tour leaders for weekend tours; please step up and lead a tour to your favorite destination. If you wish to lead a tour, suggest a tour destination or learn more about tour leading, contact Jim Todd (503x378x7003). The tour schedule is sparse at present due to Holidays and uncertainties about early season snow conditions; more tours will be added as the season progresses. Remember, impromptu tours are always an option. If you yearn for a day on skis phone Jim or a skier on the roster emailed last month. Connect with your fellow Club members and get out when it snows.
January 1-2, Saturday or Sunday: B Tour, Santiam Pass area, date and location depending on snow conditions. Contact Bob Young (503x621x6626).
January 8, Saturday: Beginner/A Tour, an easy road ski or perhaps the groomed tracks at Hoodoo. Contact Jim Todd (503x378x7003).
January 22, Saturday: B Tour, the Ray Benson/Little Nash traverse. Contact Jim Todd (503x378x7003).
Tour Ratings: A key to the Tour Rating codes:
“Beginner” = Easy, short distances on flat or gentle slopes; appropriate for first time skiers.
“A” = Easy, distances up to 5 or 6 miles with a few slopes; basic skills are required; some of these may not be suitable for 1st time skiers.
“B” = Intermediate or experienced; distances of 6 to 12 miles or possible elevation gains of 2000 feet; may include steeper sections; some downhill skills are required.
“C” = Advanced, longer with greater elevation gains; includes both trails and off-trail with frequent steep terrain.
“D” = Expert, very difficult or long; possible backcountry travel and/or ski mountaineering.
WEEK DAY SKI TOURS
Why not break the shackles that bind you to the calendar this season? Try a mid-week tour. Contact one of the enthusiasts below and arrange an escape from routine. If you want to be added to this list, send your phone and email to Jim Todd, and we’ll include it in the next Newsletter. Likewise, contact Jim, if you want your name removed for this season.
December 3, Friday: well if you can’t glide, stride. Faced with a serious snow deficit, seven members opted for a mountain hike as the next best thing to skiing. We tackled Crescent Mountain trail and from the south face and summit (5750’) were rewarded with beautiful views of the Old Cascades and the peaks along the Cascade Crest. The higher peaks had essentially no snow below 8000’, but there was a small patch in the shade on top of Crescent Mountain. Perhaps we should have carried our skis!
12/03/2021: Three Sisters from Crescent Mountain photo by Frank Hoffman
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
The Willamette Chapter has an active volunteer program assisting the Forest Service with ski trail clearing and marking; shelter construction and maintenance; and firewood stocking. Thank you volunteers! If you have questions about out volunteer projects or would like to join one, contact Mark Olson (503x559x0728) or Jim Todd (503x378x7003).
VOLUNTEER REPORTS
November 2, Tuesday: Ron, Frank and Jim joined the Salamanders volunteer group to log, brush, and mark trails at Lava Lake SnoPark. The trails needed serious work, as the photo shows. But thanks to ten determined volunteers the logs were cut, brush cleared and 57 new diamonds installed. Check it out this winter.
11/02/2021: Lava View Loop at Lava Lake SnoPark photo by Jim Todd
November 17, Wednesday: David, Frank, Jeff and Jim joined three Salamander volunteers at Little Nash SnoPark for a last whack at winter trail clearing. Winter had definitely arrived. Though the snow was less than an inch deep, the parking lot was ice covered, it was 32F and a south wind was blowing at 15mph. But by moving briskly we stayed warm and managed to log, brush and place 35 new diamonds on the Nash/Potato trail. This trail joins the Potato Hill and Little Nash SnoParks. With a car shuttle it makes a nice one-way tour and it’s downhill all the way.
11/17/2021: Nash/Potato trail photo by Beth Dayton
SKI SCHOOL
We are still in the planning stage, but hope to resume our annual Ski School in late January or early February. Watch the club’s website ONCWillamette.org and the January Newsletter for details.
SNO-PARK PERMITS
The Willamette Chapter will not sell Sno Park permits in the absence of our regular monthly meetings. Sno Park permits may be purchased online at the Oregon DMV: https://dmv2u.oregon.gov/eServices/_/. Annual permits purchased directly from DMV cost $25—no handling fee. The process takes only a few minutes and includes a downloadable copy you can print and use immediately while waiting for your permit to arrive in the mail. Buy a permit and support Sno Park plowing.
ANNOUNCEMENTS The Newsletter now includes an Announcement Section. There members can post ski related items for sale, cross-country related questions, inquiries about conditions and suggestions for ski trips. Please send your announcements to Bob, Jim or Denise for inclusion in the Newsletter. Another good place for these items is on the website, ONCWillamette.org
1. Bob and Jim have their skis waxed and standing by the door. If you are ready to go, too; then when the first real snow happens, phone Bob (503x 621×6626) for a B Tour or Jim (503x378x7003) for a Beginner/A Tour.
2. Jeff Starr (503x581x8403) has a pair of Garmont Excursion 3-pin boots for sale. They are Euro size 26.5, in good condition, for $40.
2020-2021 OFFICERS & BOARD MEMBERS:
Available President
Jeanne Miller Vice President
Bob Young Treasurer & Membership
Denise Sanders Webmeister
Genice Rabe Newsletter Editor
Jim Todd Day Tour Chair
David Forkner ONC State Board Rep & Board Member
Pam Wojcik Overnight Trip Coordinator & Board Member
ONCWillamette 