[TR] Arrowhead - NW Face 12/9/2012

[AlpineK]

Trip: Arrowhead - NW Face

 

Date: 12/9/2012

 

Trip Report:

After debating early season conditions we decided to go where most of the snow went. Stevens pass reports looked good, and Arrowhead sounded like fun. My introduction to this seasons snow started with step kicking up plow compacted snow, taking a step beyond and sinking up to my chest in freshiez. Everybody else took my advice and put their skis on sooner.

 

We didn't see previous skin tracks, bud did see a recent timber cut close to HWY-2 and east of the creek descending from Jim-Hill. The new cut stops at the upper road that traverses cuts above the highway. The rest of the climb was in, "as expected condition."

 

Winds started cranking near the summit, and we didn't hang out. Who cares when powder calls ... .

 

 

Since the snow pack is relatively shallow there's lots of fun tree dodging in the timber cuts below the peak, and moving skiers left of the creek crossing the cut seems like the best move.

 

Lower down new cuts open up ski area style runs, but staying on submarine alert due to a new snow pack seemed like the best move.

 

Gear Notes:

Snow sliding devices recommended

 

Approach Notes:

The timber cut down low is the only difference of note

[cman]

It was a great day and some excellent conditions. Everything up high was nicely filled in. Down lower was good, just had to watch out.

 

Here Jeff has an encounter with the road on the way down.

 

Hopefully there is lots more powders to come

[Pete_H]

Looks like a nice tour guys. They've been cutting up there all summer and fall. I was hoping they'd be making some new ski lines.

[Jim]

Was in the vicinity also - but I've yet to go up Arrowhead. Looks like fun!

[telemarker]

Do you have to park at the Nordic Center these days for this and the JH tours?

[AlpineK]

Nope. Don't piss off the plow truck drivers by parking in the area they use to turn around and marked with signs (Eastern Tunnel Portal). Careful observation, good traction, and parking in a legal spot or impeding highway/any traffic are the key elements to have or look for.

[Kyle_Flick]

...so where did you park? We used to park at the East Tunnel Portal, but no longer. It seems the nearest public parking is the nordic center. PM me if it's a secret.

[LukeShy]

Thanks for the TR, looked fun. Yodelin was very nice last Sunday too, coverage was good in the trees.

 

Ya the parking situation would be good to know. Looking to head up there soon.

[rat]

a few parking options:

1. 1-2 spots are usually plowed out on the north side of the hwy near the gun tower. this is quite a ways east of the henry creek road. expect to get plowed in if it is snowing.

2. traveling westbound on hwy 2, there is an easy-to-miss road on the north side just west of the tunnel itself. this road is plowed and used by the rr for access to the east portal. while i never had any problems parking there the situation may have changed.

3. nordic center as the last option.

[dontlookdown]

cant wait to get up there! hopefully this weekend!