Trip Date: February 27, 2022
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 & 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: 9 miles traveled; 2200 feet gained & lost; 7.1 hours elapsed.
Related Posts
>>> Tronsen Head Ski Loop: Windy Hollow to Haney Gap – February 8, 2020
>>> 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
On a Sunday of unsettled weather, Eileen, Yoko, Debra, Todd, Mark, Kevin, Alisa, Jue, and Keith joined me for yet another quasi-annual installment of the Tronsen Head Loop in the Lower Wenatchee Mountains. This was my 20th time doing the classic ski tour, dating back to 2001, and I couldn’t help but reflect back on the large number of different people (57) who’ve accompanied me over the years. I would love to say that we have encountered acres of epic powder during all of these outings, but there have actually been only a few trips with truly good snow. Clearly, I don’t come here for the skiing.
We started at the Blewett Pass Sno-Park and skinned up through sparse forest on the eastern flank of Diamond Head. The old crust was covered by 2 to 6 inches of fresh snow that became stickier as the day warmed up, giving everyone in our group a crucial lesson in the value of skin wax.
We proceeded up through Windy Hollow on wind-blown snow, tagged Windy Gap, and then curved around to Tronsen Gap (3.2 hours + 1800 feet from TH), where we stopped for lunch. Debra provided our lunchtime entertainment by attempting to set up a 30-year-old “ski lounger” contraption with little success.
After lunch, Eileen decided to take a faster route back to Blewett Pass, so she headed southward from Tronsen Gap to intersect Road #9712 and then had a pleasant kick-and-glide down the road. Meanwhile, the rest of us continued eastward over the top of Tronsen Head. I was dismayed to see rocks and plants exposed across the entire summit area; this was the skimpiest wintertime snow coverage I’ve ever encountered here, and it did not bode well for our descent.
We carefully picked our way down the east ridge of Tronsen Head, dodging fallen trees, and then crossed through Haney Gap to reach the north-facing slopes. The snow here was relatively good—at least in isolated places—such that we collectively managed to squeeze in some nice telemark and alpine turns. There were also lots of spectacular tumbles and face-plants.
We finished our day with a fast 2-mile road descent to Blewett Pass (7.1 hours + 2200 feet for total loop), where Eileen was waiting for us. There were satisfied grins all around, as well as a greater understanding that this trek is not about the skiing; it’s really about the tradition!
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 Map
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Log Sheet
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Photo Gallery
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