Trip Date: March 29, 2008
Thetis Creek Ski Loop
South Thetis Creek Ridge
South Thetis Creek Bowl
Trip Report Summary
Region: Central Washington Cascades
Sub-Region: Keechelus Mountains
Area: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
Starting & Ending Point: Thetis Creek Roadhead at Kachess Lake Sno-Park on Kachess Lake Road (Elev. 2400 feet)
Way Points: South Thetis Creek Ridge & South Thetis Creek Bowl & South Thetis Creek & South Thetis Creek Road & Thetis Creek Road (ski tour)
Approximate Stats: 7 miles traveled; 2800 feet gained & lost; 7.7 hours elapsed.
Information Sources
The following links provide helpful information for planning this snowshoe hike 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 hiking 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 moderate ski tours in the I-90 / Snoqualmie Pass corridor
>>> Other easy to moderate snowshoe hikes in the I-90 / Snoqualmie Pass corridor
Full Trip Report
I did with a backcountry ski tour Eileen and Mark, going up the northeast side of Keechelus Ridge and back down through South Thetis Creek Bowl. Mark had been here once before, but this was new territory for Eileen and me.
Waking up to an inch of fresh snow at home proved quite auspicious on this day: we had 8 inches of powder at the Kachess Lake Sno-Park, and about 20 inches at our 5000-foot high point.
- Touring Up Thetis Creek Road
- Mark Breaking Trail Up Ridge
- Mark and Eileen On Ridge
The weather represented a battle between the proverbial lions and lambs of March, alternating between short blizzards and warm sunbreaks. Needless to say, we had numerous costume changes.
- Mark and Eileen On Crest
- Jim and Eileen On Ridge (photo by Mark)
After struggling up the corniced and wind-scooped ridge crest to reach a high knob, we down climbed a short face above Thetis Creek Basin. This is a large, open basin with wonderful skiing opportunities.
- Mark Shredding Upper Slope
- Mark skiing upper slope
- Eileen Skiing Lower Slope
Unfortunately, the snowmobilers had beaten us to the basin and had decimated the fresh snow. Nonetheless, we managed to find some nice lines in between their tracks. What a great way to send March off!
Route Map
- Thetis Creek Bowl Route Map
Photo Gallery
Click to enlarge…
