dannycoolski Posted May 7, 2008 Posted May 7, 2008 Trip: Silver Star Mountain - Silver Star Glacier Date: 5/1/2008 Trip Report: Having just moved to Bellingham from Jackson Hole, we (Girlfriend and I) were very anxious for the North Cascades Hwy to open. We wanted to spen a few days in the mountains, so we planned a three night trip up into the basin below Silver Star Mountain. We got a late start (2Pm) on May 1st from Silver Star Creek. We stayed high of the drainage and found the going easy and straight forward. With our late start, we decided to not push too far and camped at about 5,000ft(?) where the creek splits and below the bench that leads to the glacier. The next morning we got another late start (11am) and headed up to about the 6,800ft level and made camp for the next two night just where tree line seemed to start. The next morning we set off from camp, up what we called the middle fork of the glacier. There was a skin track in from previous skiers, which made the going very easy! As we reached the saddle between Silver Star and Burgundy Spire, clouds began to move in so we didn't hang out very long. We got a huge break in visibility on the way down as we were both surprised at how wonderful the conditions were. The snow was just shy of an easily breakable crust and pretty much winterlike in texture. We had about a two thousand vert run that started out creamy winter type snow and went to two inches of corn with virtually no messy transition. It was one of our best runs in months, even with the epic year in Jackson! We skied out the next morning, went to Mazama for coffee, and then did a quick lab up the coulior next to the Early Morning Spires (I don't know the name of it, I'm new here), and then headed home. All in all, we had a great time, the snow was stable, and the skiing was great! I highly recommend getting up to Silver Star while you can still skin from the road. This is my first posted trip report ever, I plan on doing more, so any feedback as to what I can improve on is certainly welcome. Gear Notes: Skis, skins, and avy gear Approach Notes: In great shape! Quote
Off_White Posted May 7, 2008 Posted May 7, 2008 As I tip, I can assure you that everyone loves some pictures. Sounds like a great time, thanks for the story and welcome to the state. The Cascades are pretty damned swell, but don't be surprised when they turn surly on you. Quote
dannycoolski Posted May 7, 2008 Author Posted May 7, 2008 Here is a link to a few pics from the trip! Sorry about that! http://picasaweb.google.com/dannyozment/SilverStarMountain Quote
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