After scrolling through Google Earth for days on end I stumbled across Eightmile Lake. With North facing slopes almost 3000 vert off the directly from shores it would be great skiing. Being near Leavenworth and on the Eastern Side of the Cascades it would be a much colder climate. After a warm up during the week we hoped this side would still hold powder. With one final weekend in the Cascades my friends Ben, Scott, Seth and I went on an overnight camping mission.
Leaving the Icicle Creek Trailhead for Eighmile Lake
We spent Thursday night staying at Scott’s house in Gold Bar as we prepared for the day ahead. Setting our alarm for 4 in the morning the van was packed and we were off by 5a.m. With coffee mugs loaded with coffee we were driving east past Stevens Pass. After two hours of driving we arrived at the Icicle Creek Campground as the sun started to rise.
Getting out of the car we used the early morning light to start packing our gear. With 40 liter backpacks we smashed as much gear into them as possible. Since it was still early winter we wanted to camp as comfortably as possible. With sleep bags and helmets hanging off the sides of our backpacks it was time to head off.
Immediately we turned off the main road and started heading up Mountaineers creek. Being early in the season we were happy to be skinning up the road with a full winter snowpack. By now there was already a well used skin track that made travel fast.
Heading up Mountaineers creek the sky was filled with clouds which wasn’t expected. The previous days forecast called for sunny skies but it was a gray morning. Looking up we would occasional spot of a bit of blue which gave us hope of clearing weather. Our plan was to get an afternoon run and the last thing we wanted to do was ride in a whiteout.
Skinning up Eightmile Lake Trail
Soon enough it was time to head off the road and start breaking trail towards Eighmile Lake. Though we were on a summer trail it was impossible to find as there was over 5 feet of snow. Though I had been this way for numerous trips this was my first time in this area.
As we skinned into the woods I was excited to see Ponderosa Pines. Though there are numerous on the east side they can’t be found on the West side of the Cascades. Sadly forest fires had ravaged the area a few years back and there was evidence everywhere. Fortunetly it was great to see that a few trees were still untouched.
For well over an hour of “is this the last roller before the lake” we kept thinking we were there. Once we climb up another roller only we find that there was still another one ahead of us. We could tell we were getting closer but all we were thinking was to get the gear off our backs.
Once on Eightmile Lake we decided to put up camp at the outflow of the lake. This would allow us easy access to water and close proximity to the lines we were interested in. We quickly wrapped in our Katabatic Tents rain cover and were off to get a run before dark.
Setting of for Our First Snowboard Descent of the Trip
Once on the lake the weather changed almost immediately. In the distance we were happy to see that we would were clearing. Hopefully by the time we made it to the summit the upper cloud deck would be gone.
Skinning across the lake we decided to take the closest north facing gully. There wasn’t that much daylight left so we would have to make the most out of it. Spotting a potential descent we were game to check it out. It looked like above us was wide open slopes and we would be able to ride fall line all the way back to camp.
We gained access to the gully via a steep skin track for the first 300 feet. We were surrounded by burnt out forests as we put in switchbacks. Once above the low roller the terrain quickly mellowed out and looked to be wide open skiing. While it looked good below the area even looked better once we were in it.
Once on the mellower slopes we had a full view of our line above. We could climb all the way to the col and have a nice apron all the way to the lake. As we made our way up the snow under us was ankle deep and we couldn’t feel any ice underneath. We made the right call to head to the eastern side of the crest.
We were racing the sun after a noon departure from camp knowing it would be dark by 4.pm. Watching the mountains across the valley we could tell there was still a few hours of sun. We were in a cold place and it felt even more so with the sun on the opposing mountains.
Climbing to the upper Col Above Eightmile Lake
As the sun started dropping under the horizon clouds started feeling the valley below. We were a bit concerned that the clouds would rise but they seemed to stay in near the lake. To the northeast we could barely make out the Chiwaukum Range. As we put in our switchbacks I wondered if the area had held up as well.
A switchback at a time we pushed our way up the looking forward to the run below. Breaking in trail was easy as it was only ankle deep making the steep sidehilling better. By now the whole valley was in the clouds but fortunately we could see all the way to Eighmile Lake.
Once near the ridge we switched off to boot packing for the final 300 foot section. It was just step enough that we felt it would take more energy to skin. Trading off trail breaking duties we raced against the darkness. Hopefully once on the col we would have a great view of the sunset over Mountaineers Creek.
I broke trail up the last bit and after dealing with chest deep snow for the last 5 feet. By now the terrain was significantly steeper but with some careful navigation we were over the wind lip. Finally we were standing on top of our 3,000 foot line and ready to transition.
The Perfect View of Mount Stuart and the Enchantments
From the summit we got a perfect view of the North Face of Mt. Stuart as the sun was setting to the South. One of the reasons we decided to go on the tour was for the vantage point. We were directly across valley from the Enchanments and the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area.
Across the valley to the southwest we had a clear view of Colchuck Lake and Argonaut. The whole area was stunning from this vantage point as we saw the last of the light fade away.
We were racing time as we transitioned trying not to have to ride in flat light. The plans were to get a sunset lap but below us we would be riding in the shadows. We had specifically chose north facing slopes as they would preserve the snow. Within the next 30 minutes we would be back at camp on Eightmile Lake.
Snowboarding Back to Our Camp on Eightmile Lake
Scott and Kololo dropped in first and confirmed our beliefs that it would be great powder. There is something about watching a dog chasing its owner and having just as good of a time. Once they were in the clear it was time for us to drop in. One at a time we started making our way down the mountain.
It was great snow but we were dealing with flat light as it was getting dark. I had worn a pair of googles with dark lenses and was barely able to see below me. This was made worse by the faceshots but that is a first world problem.
As we made our way down to the lake the peaks were basking in the last of the light. Feeling safe with the snow stability we were all able to ride at the same time. Since it was a big apron each of us took our own line. There was more then enough space for us to put in our own tracks.
Once back at the Eightmile Lake we skinned for 10 minutes back to our gear. Quickly we set up the Katabatic Tent before cooking our meals. Dinner was a mixture of Dehydrated meals and Ramen Noodles. Afterwords we celebrated a great day with a Party size bag of potato chips. Soon enough we were going to sleep under a clear and cold sky in the warmth of our sleeping bags.
A Clear and Cold Morning Camping on Eightmile Lake
The next morning we woke up to clear skies and battled with the cold conditions. Being winter the biggest challenge was thawing our frozen boot and getting moving. After around an hour we were off to check out the next drainage to the west.
At first we debated staying on the North aspects or looking for something south facing. In the end we agreed that we were there to ride powder and stick to the shade. Knowing that our previous days run was good we would check out another drainage.
We followed our skin track across the Eightmile Lake for a bit before heading further on the lake. As we skinned we would keep looking to the south to find the perfect drainage. There were a few options to check out and before long we were on the west shores.
Being on the opposite side of the lake before long the water was open again. We were now cut off from the side we wanted to ride. Not wanting to get soaked crossing the creek we kept pushing forward. Soon enough we would be able to cross again but it wasn’t worth wet boots.
Soon enough we found a spot where Ben and Seth crossed a sketchy log. Scott and I found a nice snow covered section and made easy work of it. Being on the other side of the lake now we decided to ride the line directly above us.
Heading up Our Second Run of the Trip
Our first line was a bit more open at the base as we made our way through thick trees. We could tell that above this crux the terrain opened up but we would have to work for it. It was a strange filling heading up forests that had been ravaged by forest fires.
This line was a little less straight forward with open slopes scattered by the occasional thick trees. Once we had made it through the burnt forest we were happy to see it opening up once again. Unlike the previous line this one had numerous rocks to drop off of. If we were riding in the light this would be a much more playful run.
Soon we were skinning past an open boulder field. barely covered in snow. While they looked nice we knew riding down would give us core shots. Instead we would have to ride a bit to the east as the area was more open. As we made our way up we made a mental note not to go this way.
Finally we were past the lower section and happy to find a smooth surface above us. It seemed the snow in this valley was even better then our run the previous day. While there were a few clouds it was nothing to be concerned about. Unlike the day before we wouldn’t be in a race against the light.
After a few hours of skinning we were in the final bit of alpine heading for the col. With the terrain being so open we made use of the terrain with wide switchbacks. Fortunately the snow was deep but n enough to slow us down.
Pushing Up the Final Slopes to the Col
Putting in long switchbacks we were working with the terrain and saving space for our descent route. Though the snow felt stable but we tried to minimize exposure to others below. It seemed the higher we climbed the deeper the conditions got.
Finally we were at the last mellow slope below the col and preparing for the final boot pack. The terrain surrounding us offered numerous descent options but time was short. We could only take a single lap as we would be exiting in the late afternoon.
Near the top we switched to boot packing for the final bit. We switched off trailbreaking duties only to reach the summit a minute after Kololo. The dog was in her element and running circles around us
Soon enough we were on the top of our line and back in the sun. Looking down we knew we had a gem of a line below us all the way down to Eightmile Lake. Transitioning we joked about who would get the honor of taking first tracks. Really it didn’t matter because after the first few hundred feet it was a 3000 foot apron below us.
Our Final Run Snowboarding Down to Eightmile Lake
By the time we started to ski down it was 2 P.M. From the first turn we knew we had once again we found awesome snow. Below us was a 2700 feet of steep pitch that went directly back to Eightmile Lake.
Heading down the light was much better then the day before as we worked with the terrain. Every turn kicked up snow from top to bottom. Once again we were on a wide open apron and having enough space for each of us to have a clean line.
Working with the features we would jump off the pillows. Below us was bottomless powder conditions as we played around with the terrain. The run was even better then our previous days gully. A mixture of the terrain and depth of the snow had made it worth the extra few minutes of approach.
As we made it towards the bottom of our line we could see our camp in the distance. Fortunately the snow quality had stayed the same throughout the run. The lower we got the more features we had to jump off of. Before long we were making it through the last of the burned trees and riding onto Eightmile Lake.
A Hasty Exit Back to the Car Racing the Darkness
Once down at the Eightmile Lake we made it back to the camp at 3p.m. There was an hour of light left so we hastily packed our gear and started moving. The car was 5 miles down road but the terrain was flat for the most part. Before long we threw our gear into the packs and made our way down the summer trail. Starting at 3:45 an hour we had 15 minutes before it started getting dark.
The slog was never ending as we first made it down to the road without headlamps. Arriving at the car around 6:30 we were worked, tired and hungry. One or way back to Goldbar we celebrated by stopping at the the 59er dinner. It had become a tradition and instead of dehydrated meals we were eating hamburgers and milkshakes.
It was awesome to get out with Ben, Seth and Scott. We have had some awesome missions over the years. It was great to be back in a tent and in such a beautiful, big mountain part of the Cascades.
Thank you for reading this trip on Eightmile Lake. If you want to see more ski tours within the Stevens Pass Backcountry check out this link.
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