Trip Date: February 25, 2011
Thompson Point Ski Tour
Granite Creek Valley
Thompson Point (5124 ft)
Thompson Point Cabin
Trip Report Summary
Region: Central Washington Cascades
Sub-Region: Lower Snoqualmie Range
Areas: Middle Fork Snoqualmie Natural Resources Conservation Area & Mt. Baker – Snoqualmie National Forest
Starting & Ending Point: Old Granite Creek Roadhead on Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Road (Elev. 800 feet)
Way Points: Granite Creek Bridge & Upper Granite Creek Road & Thompson Point summit & Thompson Point Cabin & Upper Granite Creek Road (ski tour)
Summit: Thompson Point (ski ascent via Southeast Ridge; ski descent via Southwest Slope)
Approximate Stats: 15 miles traveled; 4500 feet gained & lost; 9.0 hours elapsed.
Related Posts
>>> Zorro Point Ski Tour via Granite Creek – March 5, 2011
>>> Thompson Point Hike via Granite Creek – May 25, 2023
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
Revolution Peak is the high point due south of Russian Butte, which is the highly visible, craggy ridge just east of North Bend. For several years, Fay and I had been eyeballing this as a ski destination. Given the sunny weather and good dump of lowland snow last Friday, we jumped at the opportunity on short notice.
We parked beside the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Road at the Granite Creek Road gate (elev 800′) and started skiing on 6″ of snowcover. After several miles, the snowpack increased to a couple feet, and we enjoyed breaking trail through fluffy powder over old rain-crust.
- Skiing Lower Road
As we proceeded up the Granite Creek Valley, the spur roads to Granite Lakes and Thompson Lake slowly passed by, leaving us with increasingly distant views from the upper main road.
- Fay On Upper Road
Upon reaching the ridge crest above Thompson Lake, we skinned up to 5124-foot Thompson Point (6.2 hours from car), which is located 3/4 mile SW of Revolution Peak. Since the afternoon was wearing on, and the ridge heading over to Revolution did not appear to offer pleasant skiing, we made Thompson Point our ending point.
- Skinning Up To Summit Of Thompson Point
Neither of us has ventured into this “backside” area much, so we spent our lunch break trying to identify surrounding peaks from an unfamiliar vantage. Mt. Defiance was particularly picturesque with its freshly flocked forest mantle.
- Kaleetan and Chair Peaks From Thompson Point
After lunch, we skied northward a short distance along the summit ridge. It was here that we spotted something so incredibly out of place, we thought our eyes were deceiving us. It looked like a solitary log cabin perched at the end of the ridge!
- First View Of Thompson Point Cabin
We skied closer and verified that this indeed was a cabin and not an illusion. Despite being very weathered due to its exposed location, it seemed quite sound and sturdy. The entire lower story was built with highly tapered logs—probably from on-site trees—placed in alternating orientations. But what would a cabin be doing way the heck up here?!!
Adding to our curiosity was the fact that there were only a few small windows and one doorway positioned 10 feet above ground level. It certainly seemed well-designed for severe winds and deep snow. We would love to hear about the history of this edifice from anyone in the know.
- Front Of Thompson Point Cabin
After puzzling over the cabin, we descended a series of open slopes across our up-track. The powder snow was wonderfully deep and stable, even on moderately steep inclines. This would properly be called “ego snow,” for we each seemed to exceed our own ski ability. Once back on the main road, we made a quick glide back down our tracks, reaching the car just before dark (2.2 hours from summit).
- Descending Upper Slopes of Thompson Point
Post Script
By chance, John Roper stumbled across the mysterious “Thompson Point Cabin” when it was under construction in February 1995, as shown in the photo below. He was as puzzled then as we are now.
- Thompson Point Cabin Under Construction In February 1995 (photo by John Roper)
Route Map
Photo Gallery
Click to enlarge…
