Swift Creek (Mt. Baker area)

We decided to ski up in the Mount Baker area on Saturday, January 10, 2009 for no better reason than we couldn't think of a better place to ski.  Actually that's a pretty good reason.  Snoqualmie Pass had just opened after a huge landslide shook some houses off foundations, ran over a ski lift tower and caused a mudflow over a road.  It had been raining up there quite heavily so we reasoned that the skiing wouldn't be any good.  Later trip reports confirmed our assumptions.  We didn't think that Stevens Pass would be any better.  Mt. Baker might not be much better but there were more options.

The avy danger was decreasing from the week's earlier high predictions but it was predicted to increase somewhat after snowing al day on Saturday.  We needed to ski at 4000' or above because the storm was fairly warm and we didn't want to ski in the rain.  HIgher than 5000' might have sketchy avalanche conditions.

By the time we arrived at the Mt. Baker upper parking lot snow was falling steadily.  And the wind was blowing.  Visibility would be a factor at higher elevations.  We decided to stick to the trees.  To our surprise not many cars were in the parking lot yet.  We parked next to a familiar white Subaru with an orange box on top decorated with lots of stickers, ranging from insults to SUV drivers to praises of Norway.

We skied up the courdoroy ski run to the backcountry gate, scooted under the rope (it's allowed if you're prepared) and followed a familiar track to the Swift Creek drainage.  We briefly debated skiing up to Herman Saddle but with the wind and the snow, the visibility would be flat and the snow blowing in our faces the entire trip.  To our surprise and delight we were the first skiers to arrive at Swift Creek.  Surprised because lots of people ski Swift Creek.  It's a safe area because of the trees and low angle slopes.  Delighted because the snow was quite good despite the warm temperatures.

We skied down then found a skin track (up track) that had been set the day before.  That made our, I mean Randy's job, of setting the track back up the hill easier since he wouldn't have to break brand new trail through deep snow.  He had just bought a new ski pack that was about 3 lbs lighter than his previous pack so he was feeling fresh and speedy.  Anyway, we skinned up and skied down fresh powder a total of 6 times.  By about our third lap we started seeing other skiers.  By the 5th lap we saw lots of pairs of skiers.  At that point our legs were getting tired, mine especially since skiing down is still very much a challenge for me.   We agreed on one more down trip and quitting while we were still ahead.

Skiing down means one more climb back out of the drainage then a short ski back into the ski area and a kind of flat slog out to the parking lot.  We were back at 2:30.  The owner of the white Subaru had not returned so Randy built a little snowman to put on the hood to let him know that we'd been there.

It was a fun day for both of us.  The snow was quite skiable and I learned a few more things about making turns.  At one point Randy was waiting for me to ski down the hill; I remarked that I ski like I drive: often 5 miles below the speed limit, in the slow lane.  He smiled and agreed.  Here are the pictures.