Trip Date: March 3, 2007
Middle Jolly Knoll Ski Tour
Lower Jolly Saddle
Upper Jolly Saddle
Middle Jolly Knoll
Trip Report Summary
Region: Central Washington Cascades
Sub-Region: Cle Elum Mountains
Area: Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest
Starting & Ending Point: Salmon la Sac Sno-Park off Salmon la Sac Road (Elev. 2400 feet)
Way Points: Sasse Ridge SnoTel Station & Lower Jolly Saddle & Upper Jolly Saddle & Middle Jolly Knoll (ski tour via Salmon la Sac Creek Road)
Approximate Stats: 9 miles traveled; 3200 feet gained & lost.
Full Trip Report
Here are a few photos and map from Saturday’s ski tour in the Cle Elum Mountains with Beth, Eileen, and Fay. We started from Salmon la Sac Sno-Park and mostly followed the Salmon la Sac Creek Road up to the crest of Sasse Ridge. From there, we went through forest to the top of 5760-foot “Middle Jolly Knoll.”
- Skinning up clear-cut
- Skiing up ridge
Middle Jolly Knoll makes a satisfying turn-around point and wonderful viewpoint. Weather was better than expected—perhaps even too warm—but it did allow for a 2-hour lunch on the ridge.
- Fay, Beth, and Eileen At Lunch
When was the last time Fay took a 2-hour lunch during a ski tour? She thinks it was the last time she skied with Beth and me, so we are obviously a bad influence on her.
.
.
- Snoqualmie Mountains from Middle Jolly Knoll
The unusually warm weather also turned all of last week’s new snow to porridge, and it was starting to crust over slightly by the time we headed down the open clear-cuts. The skiing was decent but not great. We finished our descent on the road right at nightfall.
Route Map
Photo Gallery
Click to enlarge…
