After a climbing Broken Top of the previous day we were on our way to the south. Before long we were arriving at the Mount McLoughlin summit trail head. After packing up our gear and eating some quick snacks we were on the trail head around 10:00. The hope was that a later starting time would allow the higher elevated corn to soften. The McLoughlin trail was snow free for the first three miles. Being an easy but direct climb the trail went straight up. Once we arrived at the southern ridge we finally got our first view of the summit proper.
With an easy 3rd class scramble we found ourselves at the summit of Mount McLoughlin. The northern face of Mount McLoughlin had over 3000 feet of wide open bowl. While it looked like a great run it would add numerous miles to get back to the truck.
Looking at the map I realized there was a trail to the north east. It went near the shores of Fourmile lake but also ended at the summit trailhead where the truck was parked. If I chose to ride the south side I would have only a thousand vert so I decided to take the longer route. Looking to the valley below I knew it would be a dry trail the whole way.
Snowboarding Mount McLoughlin
Jon decided to head back via the south route while I dropped into the north bowl. It was steep but perfect corn as I made it down the rock canyons all the way to the valley below. Though the snow was dirty it felt great as I made my way all the way to the flats. Once near the snowline I looked back up at the north bowl of Mount McLoughlin with my single tracks etched in.
I down climbed through the dense forest an additional 1000 feet before reaching a trail. It had received flood damage from earlier in the season so I was force to ford the creek multiple times. The depth ranged from ankle to knee deep as I made my way back towards the car. Mosquitoes hadn’t been a problem up in the alpine but by now they were swarming. While hiking I was forcing to bundle up in my coat trying not to expose skin. Once arriving at four mile lake I was able to hike an easy trail 3.5 miles back to were Jon’s truck was waiting.