Trip Date: May 21, 2022
Nason–Smith Ski Traverse: Nason Creek to Lichtenberg Pass to Smith Brook
Nason Creek Valley
Lake Valhalla
Lichtenberg Pass
Smith Brook Meadow
Trip Report Summary
Region: North-Central Washington Cascades
Sub-Region: Upper Wenatchee Mountains
Area: Henry M. Jackson Wilderness
Starting Point: PCT-Northbound Trailhead at Stevens Pass on Highway 2 (Elev. 4000 feet)
Way Points: Stevens Pass Railroad Grade & South Fork Nason Creek & Main Fork Nason Creek & North Fork Nason Creek & Lake Valhalla & Lichtenberg Pass & Smith Brook Meadow & Smith Brook Road (ski tour)
High Point: Lichtenberg Pass (Elev. 5100 feet)
Ending Point: Smith Brook Roadhead on Highway 2 (Elev. 3200 feet)
Approximate Stats: 10.5 miles traveled; 1400 feet gained; 2200 feet lost; 8.4 hours elapsed.
Related Posts
Nason—Smith Ski Traverse – April 18, 2021
Nason—Smith Ski Traverse – April 28, 2018
Nason—Smith Ski Traverse – April 6, 2013
Nason—Smith Ski Traverse – March 19, 2011
Nason—Smith Ski Traverse – March 17, 2007
Full Trip Report
Peter, Debra, Sean, Russ, and Kevin joined me for a late-season installment of the Nason-Smith Ski Traverse in the Upper Wenatchee Mountains. This was my 20th time doing the classic ski tour during a 44-year span that began in 1978. Over the years, I have completed the traverse via many different routes (sometimes intentionally, other times not) and with 45 different partners, but I’ve never attempted it in late May. Thanks to an unusually cool and wet spring this year, our six-person party had more than enough snowcover from start to finish.
We initially headed north from Stevens Pass on the old PCT railroad grade, gliding across a layer of fresh snow overlying the old springtime crust, and then we contoured westward into Nason Creek Valley. Upon reaching the first major stream crossing, our pre-trip apprehensions about melted-out snow bridges immediately proved to be unfounded; there were multiple well-formed snow bridges available.
It wasn’t exactly smooth sailing, however, because our group experienced several climbing-skin failures along the way. In particular, Russ had both skins completely lose their adhesion. We all stopped, pulled out our various repair materials, and reattached his skins using the backcountry skier’s secret weapons: duct tape and Voile straps.
The day had begun with gray skies and a threat of rain or snow, but it was beautifully sunny by the time we arrived at Lake Valhalla. A remarkably thick snowpack at this elevation allowed us to ski directly across the lake surface—not something I routinely do in late May!
Because the southwest-facing slope leading up to Lichtenberg Pass had been broiling in the sun all afternoon, the fresh layer of snow was mushy and wet, with a tendency to slide over the old crust. We spread out and carefully executed a slow, switch-backing ascent route, eventually putting us all at the pass around 3:30pm (6.1 hours + 1350 feet from starting point).
While snacking and de-skinning at Lichtenberg Pass, we were surprised by a rather sudden hailstorm accompanied by several loud claps of thunder. THAT got us moving again!
Our descent to Smith Brook Meadow was fun but tricky due to the variable thickness and consistency of fresh snow blanketing all exposed surfaces. The final 3-mile glide down Smith Brook Road was somewhat slow, but we appreciated having continuous snowcover all the way to Highway-2 (8.4 hours + 1400 feet from starting point). Perhaps it was only fitting that my 20th Nason-Smith Traverse would be so unusual and memorable!
Route Map & Profile
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Log Sheet
Photo Gallery
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