Little T

[2morehours]

I'm headed to Tahoma in the next couple of weeks via the East Shoulder. Am I correct that a traverse from Paradise is the only approach this time of year? Any good TR's?

thanks

[cluck]

Think a Paradise approach would be logical. Road access from White River (the typical approach via Summerland and Fryingpan Glacier) prolly won't be available for a while yet.

[Pandora]

Starting from Paradise is definitely the best (shortest and fastest) approach to Little Tahoma right now. I don't know of any trip reports from this time of year though. Good luck, have fun and then post one of your own!

[Alex_Mineev]

I think that another good option would be to hike to Anvil Rock and break off across Cowlitz Glacier just below the rock. That way you spend less time on glaciers and gain most of the approach elevation using the beaten trail.

[Fairweather]

I've done it both ways- a couple of times each. From Paradise, we climbed it once in winter with no problems at all, but the time we did it in early June the Cowlitz crossing was heavily crevassed and we both punched through several times. The Ingraham was smooth both times-no problems. I would not push this crossing in poor weather conditions as dropping even slightly low on the Cowlitz will place you into the largest icefall on Rainier, and missing the crossing of the large rock pillar that divides the two glaciers would be bad.

 

A strong party, starting early, can do this trip in one day. If you need more info, feel free to p.m.

[chris]

Think a Paradise approach would be logical. Road access from White River (the typical approach via Summerland and Fryingpan Glacier) prolly won't be available for a while yet.

Is there a website that monitors the plowing in the park? I've been waiting to here that White River is open.

[Norman_Clyde]

At the Enumclaw station last week, they told me White River won't open until late June. Unless all this hot weather changes their minds.

[pete_a]

Late June? are you serious? thats a month later than usual...well, I'll keep my fingers crossed that Cayuse Pass opens up before then and that will shorten the approach to White River down to a 6-8 mile bike ride.

[Stefan]

Cayuse Pass will be open by mid May definitely. Definitely take the bike then after they open the pass.....I suspect the White River road will be snowfree but the campground may have snow...that road will be snow free becuase I am seeing that higher up there is more snowpack than normal but lower down there is less than normal snowpack....

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/cayuse/

[Duchess]

Cayuse Pass is allegedly opening Friday afternoon. Check out : http://www.nps.gov/mora/current/current.htm#roadopen

for current road conditions.