Trip Date: February 8, 2020
Tronsen Head Ski Loop: Windy Hollow to Haney Gap
Swauk Meadow
Windy Hollow
Windy Gap
Tronsen Gap
Tronsen Head (5980+ ft)
Haney Gap
Trip Report Summary
Region: Central Washington Cascades
Sub-Region: Lower Wenatchee Mountains
Area: Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest
Starting & Ending Point: Blewett Pass Sno-Park on Highway 97 (Elev. 4100 feet)
Way Points: Swauk Meadow & West Fork Tronsen Creek / Diamond Creek & Windy Hollow & Windy Junction & Windy Gap & Tronsen Gap & Tronsen Head summit & Haney Gap & East Fork Tronsen Creek & Swauk Meadow (ski tour)
Summit: Tronsen Head (ski ascent via West Ridge; ski descent via East Ridge)
Approximate Stats: 8.3 miles traveled; 2200 feet gained & lost; 5.9 hours elapsed.
Related Posts
>>> Tronsen Head Ski Loop: Windy Hollow to Haney Gap – February 27, 2022
>>> Tronsen Head Ski Loop: Windy Hollow to Haney Gap – March 3, 2018
>>> Tronsen Head Ski Loop: Windy Hollow to Haney Gap – January 21, 2007
>>> Tronsen Head Ski Loop: Windy Hollow to Haney Gap – January 20, 2001
Full Trip Report
Todd, Yoko, and Debra joined me for another quasi-annual installment of the classic Tronsen Head Loop in the Lower Wenatchee Mountains. Starting at the Blewett Pass Sno-Park, we followed the traditional “blue diamond route” up through Swauk Meadow, around Diamond Head, up through Windy Hollow, and over to Tronsen Gap. Thankfully, Windy Hollow did not live up to its name today; the weather was pretty benign.
We topped out on the broad, breezy summit of Tronsen Head in early afternoon (2.8 hours + 2100 feet from TH) and stopped for lunch.
The entire forest here was badly scorched by fire several years ago, but we marveled at how it can be transformed—temporarily, anyway—by the artistic effects of snow and rime.
For our descent to Haney Gap and down the northern aspect of Tronsen Head, we had a mixed bag of snow conditions ranging from soft powder to sun crust to wind slab. There were plenty of falls, crashes, and laughs before we arrived back at the Sno-Park in late afternoon (5.9 hours + 2200 feet total loop).
Equipment Comments
For more information regarding the various equipment that I used for this particular trip and that I typically use for this type of trip, see my gear reviews on the following pages:
>>> Backcountry Telemark Ski Touring Gear
>>> Backcountry Ski & Snowshoe Packs
>>> Wintertime Comfort Accessories
Route Maps & Profile
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