The North Cascades have to be one of my favorite places to tour. We are pretty spoiled with the variety of mountainous terrain we have within a three hour drive Seattle. The North Cascades are a little different than the rest of the mountains in Washington. They seem a bit more grand, maybe it’s the higher elevation, maybe it’s the larch groves, maybe it’s just that I always end up going to the North Cascades when have a bit more time to tour on my splitboard. What ever it is I always have a great time splitboarding up north. This season I was lucky enough to carve out time for two trips.
Trips usually start with a long drive from Seattle and then a bonfire on the side of Highway 20.
[br]The terrain is incredibly varied. Some of the tours start in creek beds which create interesting twisty pathways.
[br]Because we’re always climbing upwards, the trees will break and give a glimpse of the tops of the peaks we are slowly walking towards.
[br]When you hit about 5,000ft the trees change from pines and firs to alpine larch trees. The first time I saw larch trees I thought they were dead. For those that have never seen a larch tree they lose their needles so they look like dead Christmas trees. In the fall the larch trees turn bright yellow.
[br]Once you break the treeline the number of riding options can be overwhelming.
[br]Sometimes you can get lucky and find icicle photon guns. These are very, very rare and should be handled with caution.
[br]Once at the top you can always count on a great view. Craggy peaks…
[br]6000 vertical feet of powder…
[br]2000 vertical feet of fresh corn…
[br] The Early Winter Spires…
[br]…and maybe a golden wolf.
[br]The ride down is even better than views. If you’re lucky you might get powder in late May.
[br]…and more pillows…
[br]…and wind lips to slash…
[br]…did I mention high speed powder turns?
[br]These days bring lots of smiles.
[br]And then you have to ride through the tight trees at the bottom which will sometimes make a smile go away.
[br]Once out of the tight trees all that I ever remember is the views on the way up and the great terrain on the ride down. I love the North Cascades. They make a great testing ground for new gear.
