Trip Date: February 9, 2013
Updated: January 2024
Mt. Margaret Ski Tour
Rocky Run Culvert
Mount Margaret (5560+ ft)
Trip Report Summary
Region: Central Washington Cascades
Sub-Region: Keechelus Mountains
Area: Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest
Starting & Ending Point: South Gold Creek Sno-Park at plowed end of Road 4832 (Elev. 2580 feet)
Way Points: Lower Dungeon Ridge Road junction & Rocky Run Connector Trailhead & Upper Dungeon Ridge Road & Rocky Run culvert & Road 136 junction & Mt. Margaret summit (ski tour)
Summit: Mt. Margaret (ski ascent & ski descent via West Slope)
Approximate Stats: 8.5 miles traveled; 3400 feet gained & lost; 4.4 hours up; 2.4 hours down.
Related Posts
>>> Dungeon Point Ski/Snowshoe Ascent & Rocky Run Ski Loop – detailed route description
>>> Mt Laura Snowshoe Climb via Rocky Run—West Couloir—South Ridge – March 2020
Information Sources
The following links provide helpful information for planning this snowshoe trek or ski tour. Even these information sources, however, should not be taken as a substitute for having the fitness, knowledge, equipment, and clothing required for snowshoe trekking or ski touring.
>>> WSDOT road reports for Interstate-90 and Snoqualmie Pass
>>> National Weather Service weather forecast for Snoqualmie Pass area
>>> Northwest Avalanche Center avalanche forecast for Snoqualmie Pass area
>>> Other easy to intermediate ski tours in the I-90 / Snoqualmie Pass corridor
>>> Other easy to intermediate snowshoe treks in the I-90 / Snoqualmie Pass corridor
Full Trip Report
On a snowy day, Doug, Mark, Peter, Sara, and I took a ski trip up Mt. Margaret in the Keechelus Mountains. Starting at the South Gold Creek Sno-Park on Road 4832, we followed the backcountry route up Lower Dungeon Road and up the Rocky Run Connector Trail to Upper Dungeon Road, then down to the Rocky Run culvert. From there, we took Road 136 as high up the western slope of Mt. Margaret as we could before peeling off and heading straight up steep forest to the summit.
There were no summit views to be had, and the snow was pretty crusty in the forest. However, we scored a fun ski descent by piecing together a series of glades, which offered 10 to 20 inches of heavy powder.
We finished our day by tediously retracing our entire up-track back to the sno-park. However, because this route does not offer much in the way of fun skiing, it would have been more enjoyable to return by completing the Rocky Run Loop. This loop follows a little-used road southward to Resort Creek and then curves back northward on well-traveled (and usually groomed) Road 4832.
Equipment Comments
For this ski tour, I used a backcountry telemark touring setup. This comprises telemark skis with a fishscale base, along with plastic telemark boots and full-length climbing skins. Alpine touring (AT, or randonnee) skis and boots can also be used, of course.
If I were doing this ascent on snowshoes, I would use mountain snowshoes rather than simple trail snowshoes, due to the presence of steep slopes at several places along the route. Trekking poles are highly recommended, and an ice axe is advantageous if snow conditions are hard or crusty.
For more information regarding the various equipment that I used for this particular trip or that I might use for this type of trip, see my gear discussions and reviews on the following pages:
>>> Backcountry Telemark Ski Touring Gear
>>> Trail & Mountain Snowshoes
>>> Backcountry Ski & Snowshoe Packs
>>> Wintertime Comfort Accessories
Route Maps & Profile
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Photo Gallery
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